Biography for
John Ratzenberger More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

6 April 1947, Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA

Birth Name

John Deszo Ratzenberger

Nickname

Ratz

Height

5' 9" (1.75 m)

Mini Biography

John started Sal's Meat Market in Bridgeport, Connecticut, while a student at Sacred Heart University, located in Fairfield/Bridgeport, Connecticut. He was later affiliated with the ensemble group "The Downtown Cabaret." Coincidentally, he was a friend of Susan Ryan, the mother of Meg Ryan. A mutual friend, also associated with The Downtown Cabaret, was the daughter-in-law of actress Mabel Albertson, the sister of actor Jack Albertson.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Dr. H. J. Crespo-Ferrer

Spouse

Georgia Stiny	(9 September 1984 - 27 May 2004) (divorced) 2 children
Caroline	(? - 1983) (divorced)

Trade Mark

Has a role in every film made by Pixar studios

Trivia

Late 2000: He is going to the Supreme Court with "Cheers" (1982) co-star George Wendt to get control of their characters (Cliff and Norm), which are wanted to be used for commercials for Cheers-like airport bars. Wendt and Ratzenberger say they created their characters and do not want them exploited.

Only "Cheers" (1982) cast member to have actually lived in Boston -- specifically, the "Combat Zone" red-light district.

The only person to voice a character in all of Pixar Animation's feature films: as Hamm in Toy Story (1995); PT Flea in A Bug's Life (1998); Hamm again in Toy Story 2 (1999); the Abominable Snowman in Monsters, Inc. (2001); Fish School in Finding Nemo (2003); Underminer in The Incredibles (2004); Mack in Cars (2006), Mustafa in Ratatouille (2007), and John in WALL·E (2008) and it has been confirmed that he will appear in both Up (2009) and Toy Story 3 (2010).

Was buried alive up to his neck in Motel Hell (1980), same as his "Cheers" (1982) co-star Ted Danson was in Creepshow (1982).

Holds a Red Belt in karate.

He does not, as believed, play the bagpipes but in fact plays snare drum for a pipe band called "Gold Coast Pipe Band" in which he was a founding member.

Active in the pro-ecological movement, he was owner and operator of Eco-Pak, a conservation-conscious packaging company.

Co-wrote two British TV plays and directed several episodes of "Cheers" (1982).

1971: Helped form and organize an improvisational comedy troupe called "Sal's Meat Market".

Spent his early years in London where he was once an assistant to a tree surgeon.

The trading card for his Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) character, Bren Derlin, says that "At the Mos Eisley Cantina, everybody knows his name." Derlin is never seen in the Mos Eisley Cantina. This is an inside joke about his character Cliff Clavin the mailman, who frequents Cheers, "where everybody knows your name".

Along with George Wendt, Richard Belzer and Paul Fusco, he is one of only four actors to play the same character (Clifford C. 'Cliff' Clavin, Jr.): "Cheers" (1982), "St. Elsewhere" (1982), "The Tortellis" (1987), "Wings" (1990), "The Simpsons" (1989) and "Frasier" (1993). He has appeared in episodes of all six series with George Wendt.

His speaking role in Richard Attenborough's Gandhi (1982), was dubbed by Martin Sheen. Later he went on to become a trademark voice for Pixar Studios.

Has two children named James John b. 1987 and Nina Katherine b. 1989.

He recently started the Nuts, Bolts and Thingamajigs Foundation, whose mission is to "Give children tools and watch them build America.".

Formerly engaged to Lindsay McGrail.

Personal Quotes

Wake up in the morning, put your hand to something useful, and take care of yourself and your family.

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