Rhea Perlman | |
|---|---|
_-_cropped.jpg) Perlman at the1988 Emmy Awards | |
| Born | Rhea Jo Perlman (1948-03-31)March 31, 1948 (age 77) New York City, U.S.[1] |
| Alma mater | Hunter College (BA) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1972–present |
| Height | 5 ft 0 in (1.52 m) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3, includingLucy DeVito |
| Father | Philip Perlman |
| Relatives | Heide Perlman (sister) Randall Miller (cousin) |
Rhea Jo Perlman[2] (first name pronounced/ˈriːə/,REE-uh ; born March 31, 1948) is an American actress and author. She is well-known for playing head waitressCarla Tortelli in the popularsitcomCheers (1982–1993).[3] Over the course of 11 seasons, Perlman was nominated for 10Emmy Awards forOutstanding Supporting Actress, winning four, and was nominated for a record sixGolden Globe Awards forBest Supporting Actress in a Television Series. She has also appeared in films, includingCanadian Bacon (1995),Matilda (1996),The Sessions (2012),Poms (2019), andBarbie (2023). In 2025, Perlman had a guest role in the second season of the crime mystery seriesPoker Face.
Perlman was born on March 31, 1948, inConey Island,Brooklyn, toPhilip Perlman, aPolish Jewish immigrant who was a manager at a doll parts factory and Adele, a bookkeeper.[4] She grew up in nearbyBensonhurst in aJewish family with additional roots inRussia.[5] Perlman has a younger sister,Heide, who is a television writer, story editor, and producer who worked onCheers,Frasier, andThe Tracey Ullman Show.[6] In the mid-1980s, Perlman's parents moved toLos Angeles, and her father became an extra onCheers. His character became known by his real name, Phil, and he managed to get a few lines over the years as he appeared in more than 30 episodes. Philip Perlman created a second career as acharacter actor, appearing in several films and television shows, includingThrow Momma from the Train,Hoffa, andFrasier.[4][6]
Perlman studied drama atHunter College in New York, earning aBachelor of Arts degree in 1968.[1][7][6]
Film directorRandall Miller is Perlman's cousin.[8]
Perlman began her acting career with a small role as an attendant in theoff-off-Broadway playDracula Sabbat, which ran from September 1970 to June 1971.[1][9] In 1972, she played a bit role in the filmHot Dogs for Gauguin. That same year she appeared inWestbeth Playwrights Feminist Collective's production ofUp – An Uppity Revue, along with her future husband,Danny DeVito.[10]
One of Perlman's first notable parts was a recurring role on the television showTaxi as Zena, the sweet girlfriend ofLouie De Palma (played by DeVito). Following that, she had a role in a small play portraying a much tougher character.[11] ProducersGlen and Les Charles saw Perlman in that play, which led to her landing the role as wisecracking barmaidCarla Tortelli on their sitcomCheers in 1982.
The series struggled with ratings in its first season, but by the time it ended in 1993, it was one of the most popular and successful sitcoms of all time, winning 20 Emmy awards out of a total 95 nominations.[11][12]
Perlman won theEmmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy four times: in 1984, 1985, 1986, and 1989.[13] Over her 11 seasons onCheers, Perlman was nominated for an Emmy every year but 1992, becoming theCheers star to have the most wins and nominations. She was also nominated for aGolden Globe forBest Supporting Actress six times, more than anyone else in that category. In 2011, NBC named Carla Tortelli as one of the greatest TV characters of all time.[14]
In 1986, Perlman starred in an episode ofSteven Spielberg'sAmazing Stories titled "The Wedding Ring," which also starred DeVito as her character's husband.
In the 1990s, Perlman starred in several TV movies and motion pictures. In 1992, she starred in the made-for-TV-movie,To Grandmother's House We Go oppositeAshley Olsen andMary-Kate Olsen, playing the wife ofJerry Van Dyke's character; the couple kidnapped the Olsen Twins' characters, hoping to cash in on ransom before Christmas. Other TV films in which Perlman starred included the dramasA Place to Be Loved andIn Spite of Love. Her motion picture roles includedThere Goes The Neighborhood (1992),Canadian Bacon (1995),Carpool (1996),Sunset Park (1996), andMatilda (1996). Perlman had a cameo in the film10 Items Or Less (2006), and also starred in the 2007 independent filmLove Comes Lately.
In 1994, Perlman voiced 9-Eye inThe Timekeeper, aCircle-Vision show at theMagic Kingdom inTomorrowland. She later starred in the 1996 sitcomPearl as the title character and was featured on the 2001 TV dramaKate Brasher. Among Perlman's notable guest appearances was on the fourth-season premiere ofBecker, which starredCheers co-starTed Danson. She also appeared in a 2000 television filmHow to Marry a Billionaire: A Christmas Tale, in which Perlman impersonatedJackie Kennedy. That same year, Perlman portrayed a therapist called Dr. Parella in the filmSecret Cutting, which follows the story of a young girl named Dawn whoself-injures. In 2007, Perlman appeared as Bertha in the West End of London in the comedyBoeing Boeing. The following year, she starred in theHallmark Channel original movie,The Christmas Choir, and appeared inBeethoven's Big Break asPatricia Benji. In 2009, Perlman appeared as Tanya's mother on the seriesHung forHome Box Office Networks. Two years later, Perlman had a guest appearance as Mittens in one episode ofWilfred.
In 2009, Perlman and her daughterLucy DeVito starred in theoff-Broadway playLove, Loss, and What I Wore, adapted byNora andDelia Ephron, at theWestside Theatre.[3] From 2014 to 2017, Perlman starred in a recurring role onThe Mindy Project as Danny's mother, Annette Castellano.
In 2023, Perlman earned critical praise for playingBarbie creatorRuth Handler inGreta Gerwig's filmBarbie.[15][16]
Perlman is the author of the illustrated children's book seriesOtto Undercover, whose six books to date (as of the middle of May 2012) areBorn to Drive,Canyon Catastrophe,Water Balloon Doom,Toxic Taffy Takeover,The Brink of Ex-stink-tion, andBrain Freeze.
Perlman metDanny DeVito on January 17, 1971, when she went to see a friend in the single performance of the playThe Shrinking Bride, which also featured DeVito.[17] They moved in together two weeks after meeting[18] and got married on January 28, 1982.[19] They have three children:Lucy Chet DeVito, Grace Fan DeVito, and Jacob Daniel DeVito.[20] Perlman, who isJewish, and DeVito, who was raisedCatholic, raised their children celebrating the major holidays of both religions, but did not want to force or compell any religious identity or affiliation. Perlman told theLos Angeles Times in 1998:
We do all the holidays to keep the traditions and the culture going, but I truly don't have a great feeling about any particular organized religion, and I don't think it's right to impose one on my kids. I feel like I'm bringing them up to be good people, and that's what it's about.[5]
In addition to their three children, they also have two grandchildren.[21][22]
The family resided inBeverly Hills, California, and they owned a vacation home inInterlaken, New Jersey that they frequented to get away from Los Angeles.[23][24] Throughout their relationship, Perlman and DeVito have acted alongside each other several times, including in the TV showTaxi and the feature filmMatilda.[20]
Perlman and DeVito separated in October 2012.[20] However, in March 2013, it was reported that they had reconciled.[25] The couple later separated again for a second time in March 2017 on amicable terms.[26] Although the two no longer live together, Perlman said that she has no intention of divorcing DeVito.[26] In 2019, Perlman told interviewerAndy Cohen that she and DeVito have become closer friends after their separation than they were in their final years as a couple.[27]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Stalk the Wild Child | Jean | |
| I Want to Keep My Baby! | Rae Finer | ||
| 1977 | Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night | Judy | |
| Having Babies II | Cheryl | Uncredited | |
| Intimate Strangers | Unknown | ||
| 1979 | Like Normal People | Jan | |
| 1979–1982 | Taxi | Zena Sherman | 5 episodes |
| 1982 | The Selling of Vince D'Angelo | Mrs. D'Angelo | Television film |
| Drop Out Father | Tawney Shapiro | ||
| 1982–1993 | Cheers | Carla Tortelli / Annette Lozupone(one episode) | Main role American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Female in a Television Series Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series(1984–86, 1989) Viewers for Quality Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Comedy Series Nominated—American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Female in a Television Series Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film(1985, 1987–90, 1992) Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series(1983, 1987–88, 1990–91, 1993) |
| 1983 | Likely Stories, Vol. 2 | Vince's Wife | Television film |
| Saturday Night Live | Herself (co-host) | Episode: "Danny DeVito & Rhea Perlman /Eddy Grant" | |
| 1984 | The Ratings Game | Francine Kester | Voice, television film |
| 1985 | A Girl Named Alida | Rose Johnson | |
| St. Elsewhere | Carla Tortelli | Episode: "Cheers" | |
| 1986 | Amazing Stories | Lois | Episode: "The Wedding Ring" |
| Annie | Rose Johnson | Voice, 12 episodes | |
| 1987 | The Tortellis | Carla Tortelli | Episode: "Pilot" |
| Stamp of a Killer | Claudia | Television film | |
| 1988 | A Family Again | Aunt Dee | |
| 1989 | Alida's Problem? | Rose Johnson | |
| 1990 | The Earth Day Special | Paula | Television special |
| 1991 | Blossom | The Godmother | Episode: "Dad's Girlfriend" |
| Sesame Street | The Old Woman Who Lives in a Shoe | Episode: "The Old Woman Who Lives in a Shoe's house arrives on Sesame Street" | |
| 1992 | Roc | Connie Mason | Episode: "The Stan Who Came to Dinner" |
| 1993 | A Place to Be Loved | Jerri Blair | Television film |
| 1994 | The Simpsons | Carla Tortelli | Voice, episode: "Fear of Flying" |
| In Spite of Love | Emma | Television film | |
| All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever! | Worm TV Host | ||
| 1995 | The Critic | Ardeth | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 1996–1997 | Pearl | Pearl Caraldo | 22 episodes |
| 1997 | Union Square | Mrs. Eileen Mulrooney | Episode: "Harassed" |
| Almost Perfect | Rhea Perlman | Episode: "Dating for Ratings" | |
| 1998 | In the Doghouse | Phil Markowitz | Television film |
| Houdini | Esther | ||
| 1999 | H-E Double Hockey Sticks | Mrs. Beelzebub | |
| Mad About You | Ramona | Episode: "Valentine's Day" | |
| 2000 | A Tale of Two Bunnies | Thelma | Television film |
| Secret Cutting | Dr. Parella | ||
| How to Marry a Billionaire: A Christmas Tale | Jacqueline Kennedy | ||
| 2001 | Ally McBeal | Dr. Helen Tooth | Episode: "Falling Up" |
| Kate Brasher | Abbie Shaeffer | 6 episodes | |
| Becker | Dr. Katherine Simmons | Episode: "Psycho Therapy" | |
| 2002 | Frasier | Carla Tortelli | Episode: "Cheerful Goodbyes" |
| What's New, Scooby-Doo? | Agnes | Voice, episode: "A Scooby-Doo Halloween" | |
| 2003 | Karen Sisco | Louise Salchek | Episode: "Dumb Bunnies" |
| Other People's Business | Mrs. Wabash | Television film | |
| 2004 | Kevin Hill | Eleanor Frank | Episode: "Homework" |
| 2006 | Crumbs | Camile Spadaro | Episode: "A Loon Again, Naturally" |
| Stroller Wars | Penny | Television film | |
| 2008 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Roxana Fox | Episode: "Unorthodox" |
| The Christmas Choir | Sister Agatha | Television film | |
| 2009–2010 | Hung | Vera-Joan Skagle | 4 episodes |
| 2011 | Wilfred | Mittens | Episode: "Compassion" |
| Oliver's Ghost | Eloise | Television film | |
| 2012 | Hot in Cleveland | Jacki | Episode: "Everything Goes Better with Vampires" |
| The Manzanis | Camille | Pilot | |
| 2012–2013 | Robot and Monster | Nessie | Voice, 13 episodes |
| 2013 | Robot Chicken | Crypt Keeper's Wife / Grandmother / Witch | Voice, episode: "Caffeine-Induced Aneurysm" |
| 2013–2014 | Kirstie | Thelma | 12 episodes |
| 2014 | The Neighbors | Janet | Episode: "Uncle Benjamin" |
| 2014–2017 | The Mindy Project | Annette Castellano | 17 episodes |
| 2015 | Getting On | Crystal Buff | Episode: "No, I Don't Want a Fucking Smiley Face" |
| 2016 | Mom[37] | Anya | Episode: "Diabetic Lesbians and a Blushing Bride" |
| Brooklyn Nine-Nine | Estelle | Episode: "Coral Palms, Part 1" | |
| 2017 | Me and My Grandma[38] | Grandma Skalecki | 6 episodes |
| Tim & Eric's Bedtime Stories | Maureen | Episode: "The Duke" | |
| 2018 | Shooter | Associate Justice Gibson | 2 episodes |
| 2019 | The Goldbergs | Margot Letien | Episode: "Food in a Geoffy"[39] |
| Harley Quinn | Golda | Voice, episode: "Being Harley Quinn" | |
| 2021–2023 | Star Wars: The Bad Batch | Cid | Voice, 11 episodes |
| 2022 | Little Demon | Durlawn | Voice, episode: "Wet Bodies" |
| 2023 | Accused | Joyce | Episode: "Brenda's Story" |
| Not Dead Yet | Janice | Episode: "Not A Fairytale Yet" | |
| It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia | Bertha Fussy | Episode: "The Gang Gets Cursed" | |
| 2023–2025 | Poker Face | Beatrix Hasp | 5 episodes |
| 2023–present | Curses! | Margie | Voice, 10 episodes |
| 2025 | Mid-Century Modern | Judy | Episode: "Love Thy Neighbor" |
| The Studio | Matt's Mom | 2 episodes | |
| Too Much | Dottie | 6 episodes |
The two animated pics in the library are "Molly and the Skywalkerz in Happily Ever After" and "Molly and the Skywalkerz in Two Daddies," both featuring the voices ofCarol Burnett andDanny DeVito and produced byHenry Winkler.
