Rhea Perlman

Rhea Jo Perlman[2] (born March 31, 1948) is an American actress and writer. She played head-waitress Carla Tortelli in the sitcom Cheers (1982–1993).[3] Over the course of 11 seasons, Perlman was nominated for ten Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress – winning four times – and was nominated for a record seven Golden Globe Awards for Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series. She has also appeared in films, including Canadian Bacon (1995), Matilda (1996), The Sessions (2012), and Poms (2019).

Rhea Perlman
Perlman in August 2011
Born (1948-03-31) March 31, 1948
Alma materHunter College (B.A., 1968)
Occupation
  • Actress
  • writer
Years active1972–present
Spouse(s)
(m. 1982; sep. 2017)
Children3, including Lucy DeVito

Early life and family

Perlman was born in Coney Island, Brooklyn, the daughter of Philip Perlman, a Polish immigrant who was a manager at a doll parts factory and Adele, a bookkeeper.[4] She grew up in Bensonhurst in a Jewish family with additional roots in Russia.[5] She has a sister, Heide, who is a television writer, story editor, and producer who worked on Cheers, Frasier and The Tracey Ullman Show.[6] In the mid-1980s, their parents moved to Los Angeles, and their father became an extra on Cheers. 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. He created a second career as a character actor, appearing in several films and television shows, including Throw Momma from the Train, Hoffa, and Frasier.[4][6]

She studied drama at Hunter College in New York, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1968.[1][7][6]

Career

Perlman at the 1988 Emmy Awards

Perlman began her acting career with a small role as an attendant in the off-off-Broadway play Dracula Sabbat, which ran from September 1970 to June 1971.[1][8] In 1972, she played a bit role in the film Hot Dogs for Gauguin. That same year she appeared in Westbeth Playwrights Feminist Collective's production of Up – An Uppity Revue, along with her future husband, Danny DeVito.[9]

One of her first notable parts was a recurring role on the television show Taxi as Zena, the sweet girlfriend of Louie De Palma (played by DeVito).

Following that, she had a role in a small play portraying a much tougher character.[10] Producers Glen and Les Charles saw her in that play, which led to her landing the role as wisecracking barmaid Carla Tortelli on their sitcom Cheers 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 shows of all time, winning 20 Emmy awards out of 95 nominations.[10][11]

Perlman won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy four times: in 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1989.[12] Over her 11 seasons on Cheers, she was nominated for an Emmy every year but 1992, becoming the Cheers star to have the most wins and nominations. She was also nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress six times, more than anyone else in that category. In 2011, CBS named Carla Tortelli as one of the greatest TV characters of all time.[13]

In 1986, Perlman starred in an episode of Steven Spielberg's Amazing 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 opposite Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen, playing the wife of Jerry Van Dyke's character; the couple kidnapped the Olsen Twins' characters, hoping to cash in on ransom before Christmas. Other TV films in which she starred included the dramas A Place to Be Loved and In Spite of Love.

Perlman's motion picture roles included There Goes The Neighborhood (1992), Canadian Bacon (1995), Carpool (1996), Sunset Park (1996), and Matilda (1996). She had a cameo in the film 10 Items Or Less (2006), and also starred in the 2007 independent film Love Comes Lately.

In 1994, Perlman voiced 9-Eye in The Timekeeper, a Circle-Vision show at the Magic Kingdom in Tomorrowland.

She later starred in the 1996 sitcom Pearl as the title character and was featured on the 2001 TV drama Kate Brasher. Among her notable guest appearances was on the fourth-season premiere of Becker, which starred Cheers co-star Ted Danson.

Perlman also appeared in a 2000 television film How to Marry a Billionaire: A Christmas Tale, in which she impersonated Jacqueline Kennedy. She also portrayed a therapist called Dr. Parella in the 2000 film Secret Cutting, which follows the story of a young girl named Dawn who self-injures. In 2007, Perlman appeared as Bertha in the West End of London in the comedy Boeing Boeing. In 2008, she starred in the Hallmark Channel original movie, The Christmas Choir, and appeared in Beethoven's Big Break in 2008 as Patricia Benji. In 2009, she appeared as Tanya's mother on the series Hung for Home Box Office Networks. In 2011, Perlman had a guest appearance as Mittens in one episode of Wilfred.

In 2009, Perlman and her daughter Lucy DeVito starred in the off-Broadway play Love, Loss, and What I Wore, adapted by Nora and Delia Ephron, at the Westside Theatre.[3]

From 2014 to 2017, she starred in a recurring role on The Mindy Project as Danny's mother, Annette Castellano.

Writing

Perlman is the author of the illustrated children's book series Otto Undercover, whose six books to date (as of the middle of May 2012) are Born to Drive, Canyon Catastrophe, Water Balloon Doom, Toxic Taffy Takeover, The Brink of Ex-stink-tion, and Brain Freeze.

Personal life

Perlman with husband Danny DeVito in 2006.

Perlman met Danny DeVito on January 17, 1971 when she went to see a friend in the single performance of the play The Shrinking Bride, which also featured DeVito.[14] They moved in together two weeks after meeting [15] and married on January 28, 1982.[16] They have three children: Lucy Chet DeVito (born March 1983), Grace Fan DeVito (born March 1985), and Jacob Daniel DeVito (born October 1987).[17] Perlman, who is Jewish, and DeVito, who was raised Catholic, raised their children celebrating the major holidays of both religions but did not give their children any religious identity. Perlman told the Los 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]

The family resided in Beverly Hills, California and they owned a vacation home in Interlaken, New Jersey.[18]

Throughout their relationship, Perlman and DeVito have acted alongside each other several times, including in the TV show Taxi and the feature film Matilda.[17]

Perlman and DeVito separated in October 2012.[17] However, in March 2013, it was reported that they had reconciled.[19] The couple later separated again for a second time in March 2017 on amicable terms. Although the two no longer lived together, Perlman said she had no intention of divorcing DeVito.[20] In 2019, Perlman told interviewer Andy Cohen that she and DeVito have become closer friends after their separation than they were in their final years as a couple.[21]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1972 Hot Dogs for Gauguin Woman on Ferry Short film
1979 Swap Meet Mother
1982 National Lampoon's Movie Madness The Little Jewish Prostitute
1982 Love Child June Burns
1986 My Little Pony: The Movie Reeka Voice
1990 Enid Is Sleeping Mavis
1991 The Last Halloween Mrs. Gizborne
1991 Ted and Venus Grace
1992 To Grandmother's House We Go Shirley
1992 Class Act Ms. Simpson
1992 There Goes the Neighborhood Lydia Nunn
1993 We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story Mother Bird Voice
1995 Canadian Bacon Honey
1996 Sunset Park Phyllis Saroka
1996 Carpool Martha
1996 Matilda Zinnia Wormwood
2001 Old Love Unknown Short film
2006 10 Items Or Less Mrs. D
2007 Bloom Ma Short film
2007 Love Comes Lately Riesel
2008 Cat Dragged In Woman in Street Short film
2008 Beethoven's Big Break Patricia
2011 The Trouble With Bliss Maria
2012 The Sessions Mikvah Lady
2015 I'll See You in My Dreams Sally
2016 Sing Judith Voice[22]
2017 Lemon Esther
2018 Half Magic Linda
2019 Poms Alice

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1976 The Selling of Vince D'Angelo Mrs. D'Angelo Television movie
1976 Stalk the Wild Child Jean Television movie
1976 I Want to Keep My Baby! Rae Finer Television movie
1977 Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night Judy Television movie
1977 Having Babies II Cheryl (uncredited) Television movie
1977 Intimate Strangers Unknown Television movie
1979 Like Normal People Jan Television movie
1979–1982 Taxi Zena Sherman 5 episodes
1982 Drop Out Father Tawney Shapiro Television movie
1982–1993 Cheers Carla Tortelli
Annette Lozupone (one episode)
275 episodes
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 Unlikely Stories, Vol. 2 Vince's Wife Television movie
1983 Saturday Night Live Herself (co-host) Episode: "Danny DeVito & Rhea Perlman/Eddy Grant"
1984 The Ratings Game Francine Kester Television movie
1985 A Girl Named Alida Rose Johnson Voice; Television movie
1985 St. Elsewhere Carla Tortelli Episode: "Cheers"
1986 Amazing Stories Lois Episode: "The Wedding Ring"
1986 Annie Rose Johnson Voice; 12 Episodes
1987 The Tortellis Carla Tortelli Episode: "Pilot"
1987 Stamp of a Killer Claudia Television movie
1988 A Family Again Aunt Dee Television movie
1989 Alida's Problem? Rose Johnson Voice; Television movie
1990 The Earth Day Special Paula Television special
1991 Blossom The Godmother Episode: "Dad's Girlfriend"
1992 Roc Connie Mason Episode: "The Stan Who Came to Dinner"
1992 To Grandmother's House We Go Shirley Television movie
1993 A Place to Be Loved Jerri Blair Television movie
1994 The Simpsons Carla Tortelli Voice; Episode: "Fear of Flying"
1994 In Spite of Love Emma Television movie
1994 All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever! Worm TV Host Television movie
1995 The Critic Ardeth (second season) Voice; 2 episodes
1996–1997 Pearl Pearl Caraldo 22 episodes
1997 Union Square Mrs. Eileen Mulrooney Episode: "Harassed"
1997 Almost Perfect Rhea Perlman Episode: "Dating for Ratings"
1998 In the Doghouse Phil Markowitz Television movie
1998 Houdini Esther Television movie
1999 H-E Double Hockey Sticks Mrs. Beelzebub Television movie
1999 Mad About You Ramona Episode: "Valentine's Day"
2000 A Tale of Two Bunnies Thelma Television movie
2000 Secret Cutting Dr. Parella Television movie
2000 How to Marry a Billionaire: A Christmas Tale Jacqueline Kennedy Television movie
2001 Ally McBeal Dr. Helen Tooth Episode: "Falling Up"
2001 Kate Brasher Abbie Shaeffer 6 episodes
2001 Becker Dr. Katherine Simmons Episode: "Psycho Therapy"
2002 Frasier Carla Tortelli Episode: "Cheerful Goodbyes"
2002 What's New, Scooby-Doo? Agnes Voice; Episode: "A Scooby-Doo Halloween"
2003 Karen Sisco Louise Salchek Episode: "Dumb Bunnies"
2003 Other People's Business Mrs. Wabash Television movie
2004 Kevin Hill Eleanor Frank Episode: "Homework"
2006 Crumbs Camile Spadaro Episode: "A Loon Again, Naturally"
2006 Stroller Wars Penny Television movie
2008 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Roxana Fox Episode: "Unorthodox"
2008 The Christmas Choir Sister Agatha Television movie
2009–2010 Hung Vera-Joan Skagle 4 episodes
2011 Wilfred Mittens Episode: "Compassion"
2011 Oliver's Ghost Eloise Television movie
2012 Hot in Cleveland Jacki Episode: "Everything Goes Better with Vampires"
2012 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[23] Anya Episode: "Diabetic Lesbians and a Blushing Bride"
2016 Brooklyn Nine-Nine Estelle Episode: "Coral Palms, Part 1"
2017 Me and My Grandma[24] Grandma Skalecki 6 episodes
2017 Tim and Eric's Bedtime Stories Maureen Episode: "The Duke"
2018 Shooter Associate Justice Gibson Episodes: "Red Light" and "Patron Saint"
2019 The Goldbergs Margot Letien Episode: “Food in a Geoffy”[25]
2019 Harley Quinn Golda (voice) Episode: "Being Harley Quinn"

References

  1. Brant, Marley (2006). Happier Days: Paramount Television's Classic Sitcoms, 1974-1984. Billboard Books. p. 166. ISBN 9780823089338. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  2. "Veromi.net - People Summary". www.veromi.net.
  3. Itzkoff, Dave (November 17, 2009). "Rhea Perlman and Lucy DeVito in 'Love, Loss, and What I Wore'". The New York Times. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  4. Barnes, Mike (May 7, 2015). "Philip Perlman, 'Cheers' Barfly and Father of Rhea Perlman, Dies at 95". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  5. Lacher, Irene (December 28, 1998). "No Religious Ballyhoo in Her Family". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  6. Kennedy, Dana (October 4, 1996). "Rhea Perlman's real life is super sweet". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  7. Hunter College Commencement Exercises (PDF). Hunter College. June 11, 1968. p. 14. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  8. "Dracula Sabbat at Judson Poets Theater and others 1970-1971". About The Artists. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  9. "Cheers: funniest lines". The Daily Telegraph. May 20, 2016. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  10. Raftery, Brian (September 27, 2012). "Cheers Oral History". GQ. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  11. Shapiro, Mitchell E.; Jicha, Tom (2015). The Top 100 American Situation Comedies: An Objective Ranking. McFarland. pp. 8–9. ISBN 9781476623405. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  12. "Rhea Perlman". Television Academy. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  13. "50 Greatest TV Characters". March 29, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  14. Lovece, Frank; with Franco, Jules (1988). Hailing Taxi: The Official Book of the Show. New York: Simon & Schuster / Prentice Hall Press. pp. 53, 286. ISBN 978-0-13-372103-4.
  15. Lovece, pp. 53, 80
  16. Wallace, Carol (December 12, 1983). "Chalk Up a Successful Marriage for TV's Tart-Tongued Twosome, Danny De Vito and Rhea Perlman". People. Archived from the original on November 20, 2012. Retrieved October 8, 2012.
  17. "Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman Separate". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved October 8, 2012.
  18. "Monmouth County, New Jersey Tax Assessor's Office property record for Danny De Vito and Rhea Perlman". Tax1.co.monmouth.nj.us. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
  19. Leonard, Elizabeth (March 15, 2013). "Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman Are Back Together". People. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
  20. "Why Rhea Perlman won't divorce Danny DeVito". New York Post. March 8, 2018. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  21. Squires, Bethy. "Rhea Perlman and Danny DeVito May Be Separated, but They're Still Bros". Vulture. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
  22. "Sing - Full Cast and Credits". Hollywood.com. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  23. "Diabetic Lesbians and a Blushing Bride". the Futon Critic. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  24. "Rhea Perlman cast alongside Eva Gutowski on 'Me and My Grandma'". Tubefilter. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
  25. Dawn, Randee (September 17, 2019). "A mini-'Cheers' reunion is coming to TV! See the pics". Today. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
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