John Ratzenberger

John Ratzenberger Headshot

Actor • Producer • Writer • Entrepreneur • Voice Actor

Birth Date: April 6, 1947

Age: 76 years old

Birth Place: Bridgeport, Connecticut

Though his place in pop culture history is cemented by his Emmy-nominated role as know-it-all postman Cliff Clavin on the hit television series "Cheers" (NBC, 1982-1993), actor John Ratzenberger enjoyed a long and diverse career in all aspects of the entertainment industry. A solid character actor in such fanboy classics as "Superman: The Movie" and "The Empire Strikes Back," Ratzenberger would be one of the few "Cheers" castmembers to find consistent work, whether on behind the scenes as a TV series director, or on the big screen, voicing classic characters like Hamm the piggy bank so brilliantly in the "Toy Story" film franchise. Surprising fans of the awkward Cliffy Clavin, Ratzenberger proved there was still a spring in his step when, following a last minute cancellation by portly actor Vincent Pastore, the beloved actor filled the open dance card on the phenomenally successful series, "Dancing with the Stars" (ABC, 2005- ). Meanwhile, Ratzenberger enjoyed a successful voiceover career, plying his distinctive voice to a number of Pixar hits like the "Toy Story" series, "Finding Nemo" (2003), "Ratatouille" (2007), and "Up" (2009). Whether co-starring on a live action series or in hit animated movies, Ratzenberger maintained a steady presence on screens big and small.

Born April 6, 1947 in Black Rock, near Bridgeport, CT, Ratzenberger's interest in performing began while in grade school. He continued to act on stage throughout his college years at Sacred Heart University. While there, he co-founded an improvisational troupe called Sal's Meat Market, directing numerous student productions. In 1971, Ratzenberger parlayed a tax refund check into a one-way ticket to England, where he reestablished Sal's Meat Market and performed throughout Europe to considerable acclaim, as well as a British Arts Council Grant. While on the continent, Ratzenberger began appearing in minor and supporting roles in film and television. He could be spotted as a soldier in Robert Aldrich's alarming nuclear thriller "Twilight's Last Gleaming" (1977), the Harrison Ford WWII romance "Hanover Street" (1979), and "Yanks" (1979). But among film nerds, he was most famously spotted as an air traffic controller in "Superman: The Movie" (1978) and as a Rebel military officer on the Hoth ice planet in the opening scenes of "The Empire Strikes Back" (1980). When not appearing in two of the biggest movies of all time, Ratzenberger also produced and wrote for several theater companies while in Europe, as well as for the BBC and Granada Television.

More supporting roles came his way during the early 1980s, with Ratzenberger popping up in any number of successful projects. He was a punk drummer who meets a terrible fate in the cult horror film "Motel Hell" (1980); played a cop in "Ragtime" (1981); and a Communist leader in an uncredited turn in Warren Beatty's critical masterpiece, "Reds" (1981). With an eye for landing roles in monumental movies, he also appeared in the Oscar-winning Best Picture, "Gandhi" (1982) as Candice Bergen's military driver, though his voice was later dubbed by Martin Sheen. While on a writing assignment in Los Angeles that same year, Ratzenberger auditioned for a role on an upcoming sitcom for NBC titled "Cheers." While there, he suggested to producers that a character like Cliff Clavin - a self-involved postman who talks just to hear himself talk - might make an excellent addition to the show's lineup. After the pitch, he performed a Cliffy improvisation that earned him the part. Ratzenberger stayed with the show for its entire 11-season run, earning him two Emmy nominations in 1985 and 1986. He also played Cliff on five other television series, including "St. Elsewhere" (NBC, 1982-88); the "Cheers" spin-offs, "The Tortellis" (NBC, 1987) and "Frasier" (NBC, 1993-2004); "Wings" (NBC, 1990-97); and "The Simpsons" (Fox, 1989- ).

While on "Cheers," Ratzenberger guested on several other series, including "Magnum, P.I." (CBS, 1980-88), and turned up in films like 1987's "House II: The Second Story" - essentially playing a variation on a role played by his "Cheers" co-star George Wendt in the original film - as well as uncredited performances in "The Falcon and the Snowman" (1985) and "Protocol" (1984). During this period, Ratzenberger also moved behind the camera as well, directing commercials - one of which earned a Clio Award - and episodic television, including multiple episodes of "Cheers," as well as "Evening Shade" (CBS, 1990-94) and "Sister Sister" (ABC/Paramount, 1994-99). In 1989, the globally conscious actor founded Eco-Pack Industries, which became an international success by providing the recycled paper product Quadrapak as a replacement for plastic packaging.

In 1995, Ratzenberger began a long and fruitful relationship with Pixar Animation Studios by providing the voice of the inquisitive and Cliff Clavin-like Hamm the piggy bank in "Toy Story." Since then, he contributed a vocal performance to numerous Pixar films. In addition to voicing Hamm in both "Toy Story" sequels, Ratzenberger played the bombastic head of a flea circus in "A Bug's Life" (1998); a nervous Yeti in "Monsters, Inc." (2001); a school of moonfish in "Finding Nemo" (2003); the super-villain the Underminer, who turns up at the conclusion of "The Incredibles (2004); and as a helpful truck in "Cars" (2006). Ratzenberger also recorded the voices for many these characters for the numerous tie-in video games. In addition to his voiceover work, Ratenzberger's live-action appearances included a role as Simon Baker's father in the romantic comedy "Something New" (2006) and a recurring role on the ABC sitcom "8 Simple Rules " (2002-05). In 2007, Ratzenberger gallantly stepped into the dancing shoes of former "The Sopranos" (HBO, 1999-2007) star, Vincent Pastore, as a celebrity contestant on the fourth season of the popular competition, "Dancing with the Stars."
Back on the big screen, Ratzenberger voiced Mustafa, the head waiter at a fancy French restaurant, in the Pixar hit "Ratatouille" (2007). He went on to voice an oblivious human aboard a spaceship in "WALL-E" (2008) and Tom the construction worker in Pixar's most acclaimed movie, "Up" (2009). From there, he played a gruff, but somehow angelic mechanic who helps guide a troubled financial wizard (Kevin Sorbo) in the Christian-themed limited release drama "What If " (2010). Meanwhile, Ratzenberger reprised Hamm, the piggy bank for "Toy Story 3" (2010), as well as for two animated shorts, "Hawaiian Vacation" (2011) and "Small Fry" (2011). After turning in another voice performance as Mack the truck in the rather disappointing "Cars 2" (2011), Ratzenberger returned to live action television with a 2011 episode of the sitcom "Melissa & Joey" (ABC Family, 2010-15).

Credits

Poker FaceStream

Guest Star
Abe
Series
2023
98%

LuckStream

Voice
Rootie
Movie
2022
48%

Monsters at WorkStream

Voice
Yeti/Bernard
Series
2021
65%

In the Name of God

Actor
Show
2021

OnwardStream

Voice
Construction Worker Felix
Movie
2020
88%

Forky Asks a QuestionStream

Guest Voice
Hamm
Series
2019
85%

Bob Hearts AbisholaStream

Guest Star
Hank
Series
2019

Just Roll With ItStream

Guest Star
Grandpa Bennett
Series
2019

Toy Story 4Stream

Voice
Hamm
Movie
2019
97%

Project: Puppies for Christmas

Actor
Daniel Nilwater
Movie
2019

Miracle in East Texas

Actor
Dad Everett
Movie
2019

Fancy NancyStream

Guest Voice
Poppy
Series
2018

Shifting Gears

Actor
Conrad Baines
Movie
2018

Must See TV: An All-Star Tribute to James Burrows

Guest
Show
2016

Monkey Up

Actor
Mr. Hartz
Movie
2016

Forest Cove

Actor
Movie
2016

Pup Star

Actor
Movie
2016

Russell Madness

Actor
Mick Vaughn
Movie
2015

The Good DinosaurStream

Voice
Earl
Movie
2015
75%

How Murray Saved Christmas

Voice
Officer Bender
Show
2014

The McCarthysStream

Guest Star
Charlie Ellis
Series
2014
58%

A Christmas Mystery

Actor
Logan Walker
Movie
2014

The Santa Con

Actor
Warden
Movie
2014

Grace of God

Actor
Movie
2014

The GoldbergsStream

Guest Star
Digby Yates
Series
2013

MomStream

Guest Star
Stan
Series
2013

Super Buddies

Actor
Gramps Livingstone
Movie
2013

In the Name of God

Actor
Movie
2013

Monsters UniversityStream

Voice
Yeti
Movie
2013
80%

Planes

Voice
Harland
Movie
2013

Home & Family

Guest
Talk
2012

Toy Story Toons

Actor
Show
2012

The Woodcarver

Actor
Ernest Otto
Movie
2012

Matchmaker Santa

Actor
George Graves
Movie
2012

Partysaurus Rex

Voice
Hamm
Movie
2012

Long Island MediumStream

Self
Reality
2011

Franklin & BashStream

Guest Star
Judge Elliot Reid
Series
2011
61%

Fixing Pete

Actor
Clayton
Movie
2011

Toy Story 3Stream

Voice
Hamm
Movie
2010
98%

What If ...

Actor
Mike the Angel
Movie
2010

Drop Dead DivaStream

Guest Star
Larry Kaswell
Series
2009
78%

UpStream

Voice
Construction Foreman John
Movie
2009
98%

WALL-EStream

Voice
John
Movie
2008
95%

The Village Barbershop

Actor
Art Leroldi
Movie
2008

Our First Christmas

Actor
Joe Noll
Movie
2008

RatatouilleStream

Voice
Mustafa
Movie
2007
96%

CarsStream

Voice
Mack
Movie
2006
75%

BonesStream

Guest Star
Bill Schumacher
Series
2005
90%

Dancing With the StarsStream

Contestant
Reality
2005

Hell's KitchenStream

Guest
Reality
2005

Mystery Woman: Redemption

Actor
Jim Carter
Movie
2005

RodneyStream

Guest Star
John Ratzenberger
Series
2004
20%

John Ratzenberger's Made in America

Actor
Show
2004

John Ratzenberger's Made in America

Host
Show
2004

The IncrediblesStream

Voice
Underminer
Movie
2004
97%

Last Comic Standing

Guest
Reality
2003

Finding NemoStream

Voice
Fish School
Movie
2003
99%

8 Simple RulesStream

Guest Star
Series
2002
58%

The Pennsylvania Miners' Story

Actor
Thomas "Tucker" Foy
Movie
2002

Determination of Death

Actor
Charlie Halloran
Movie
2001

Monsters, Inc.Stream

Voice
Yeti
Movie
2001
96%

Spirited Away

Voice
Assistant Manager
Movie
2001

CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationStream

Guest Star
Series
2000

Tick Tock

Actor
Clay Fairfield
Movie
2000

Toy Story 2Stream

Voice
Hamm
Movie
1999
100%

A Fare to Remember

Actor
Mickey
Movie
1999

That '70s ShowStream

Guest Star
Series
1998

A Bug's LifeStream

Voice
P.T. Flea
Movie
1998
92%

That Darn Cat

Actor
Dusty, the Mechanic
Movie
1997

Under Pressure

Actor
Al Calavito
Movie
1997

Sabrina the Teenage WitchStream

Guest Star
Series
1996

Pearl

Director
Show
1996

The Legend of the North Wind

Voice
Movie
1996

Caroline in the CityStream

Guest Star
Series
1995

Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child

Voice
Show
1995

Toy StoryStream

Voice
Hamm
Movie
1995
100%

Touched by an AngelStream

Guest Star
Series
1994

Sister, SisterStream

Director
Series
1994

Sister, SisterStream

Guest Star
Series
1994

FrasierStream

Guest Star
Cliff Clavin
Series
1993
95%

The New Adventures of Captain Planet

Guest Voice
Rigger
Show
1993

Nurses

Guest Star
Show
1991

BlossomStream

Guest Star
Series
1991

WingsStream

Guest Star
Series
1990

Camp Cucamonga

Actor
Marvin Schector
Movie
1990

The SimpsonsStream

Guest Voice
CGI Homer Simpson
Series
1989
85%

House II: The Second Story

Actor
Bill
Movie
1987

House Segunda Parte

Actor
Movie
1987

La Casa II

Actor
Movie
1987

Timestalkers

Actor
General Joe Brodsky
Movie
1987

Combat High

Actor
Mr. Barnett
Movie
1986

Super PasswordStream

Guest
Game Show
1984

CheersStream

Actor
Cliff Clavin
Series
1982
87%

CheersStream

Director
Series
1982
87%

Guerreros Siglo XXI

Actor
Movie
1982

Warlords of the 21st Century

Actor
Rusty
Movie
1982

GandhiStream

Actor
American Lt., driver for Bourke-White
Movie
1982
89%

Outland

Actor
Tarlow
Movie
1981

The Good Soldier

Actor
Jimmy
Movie
1981

Magnum, P.I.Stream

Guest Star
Walt Brewster
Series
1980

Motel HellStream

Actor
Drummer
Movie
1980
67%

The Empire Strikes BackStream

Actor
Major Bren Derlin
Movie
1980
95%

YanksStream

Actor
Corporal Cook
Movie
1979
57%

Hanover Street

Actor
Sgt. John Lucas
Movie
1979

Arabian Adventure

Actor
Achmed
Movie
1979

SupermanStream

Actor
Controller #1
Movie
1978
94%

Warlords of Atlantis

Actor
Fenn
Movie
1978

Today

Guest
News
1952

News aboutJohn Ratzenberger