It looks like “Everybody Loves Raymond” star and comedian Ray Romano is going it alone this weekend for his stand-up routine at the Mirage on Friday and Saturday. Romano usually shares stage time with fellow actor, comedian and friend Kevin James, but this weekend the actor will show of his comedic chops solo, and if it’s anything like what we see on his sitcom’s the show is sure to be a hit.

Believe it or not, Romano didn’t start out performing his stand-up in several L.A. comedy clubs before finally getting noticed. No, the funny guy was on a completely different career path all together, and quite possibly the farthest he could get from comedy. Before starring in “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “Ice Age” the actor, producer, and comedian was on track to be an accountant. It wasn’t until he competed in the Johnnie Walker Comedy Search in 1989 that his love and talent for comedy began to grow. From there it was appearances on Comedy Central, where he was a recurring guest voice on Dr. Katz Professional Therapist. He was also a contestant on Star Search and appeared on “Late Show with David Letterman.”

Finally, Romano landed his own television show, “Everybody Loves Raymond,” which was loosely based on his real-life experiences. The show ran for nine successful years on CBS. During his time on “Everybody Loves Raymond” Romano won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series and a Screen Actors Guild for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series. In 2004 he became the highest-paid television actor in history for his role on the hit sitcom.

After “Everybody Loves Raymond,” Romano continued his role in sitcoms appearing in the dramedy “Men of a Certain Age” on TNT. He also made an appearance as Merv Bronte in “The Office” and in the third season premiere of the ABC sitcom “The Middle,” which his “Everybody Loves Raymond” co-star Patricia Heaton currently stars in. In September of this year, Romano joined the cast of “Parenthood.”

Besides performing his stand up at the Mirage throughout the years, Romano has also brought his poker skills to The Entertainment Capital of the World competing in the 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 World Series of Poker right here in Las Vegas. He’s also played in co-star Brad Garrett’s annual Maximum Hope Foundation Charity Poker Tournament at MGM Grand.

You can catch Ray Romano’s solo standup this Friday, November 2 and Saturday, November 3 with discounted tickets right here on Best of Vegas.