<Li> Leila Kenzle as Fran Devanow, Jamie's best friend . She is the regional vice president at Farrer - Gantz Public Relations who hired Jamie as her assistant . Near 1989, Fran quits Farrer - Gantz to spend time with her obnoxious five - year - old son, Ryan, and husband, Mark . Jamie is then promoted to Fran's position . Fran and Mark's relationship lasts 10 years, and their separation shocks Jamie and Paul . After divorcing Mark, Fran returns to her old position at Farrer - Gantz, since Jamie had quit, but she, too, eventually quits and goes into business with Jamie . Fran and Mark eventually reconcile . </Li> <Li> John Pankow as Ira Buchman, Paul's cousin . He first appears in the episode "The Wedding Affair ." Ira is from the Sheepshead Bay section of Brooklyn . He worked for Paul's father, Burt, at Buchman's Sporting Goods . Paul and Ira have a close friendship, but their hidden rivalry came out when Ira took ownership of Buchman's Sporting Goods upon Burt's retirement . Even so, he frequently appears as loving and supportive towards Paul and Jamie . </Li> <Li> Cynthia Harris as Sylvia Buchman, Paul's mother . Sylvia almost always gives Jamie a hard time, but occasionally does show kindness towards her daughter - in - law . </Li> <Li> Louis Zorich as Burt Buchman, Paul's father . Burt runs a sporting goods store--until he passes it on to Ira upon retirement . His signature line in the show occurs whenever he visits Paul and Jamie's apartment, exclaiming at the door, "It's me, Burt! Burt Buchman--your father!" </Li>

Who played paul mother on mad about you