John Ratzenberger

John Ratzenberger
Born: Apr 6, 1947
Bridgeport, CT
Career: 1976-2010
Countries: USA
Genre/Type: Comedy
Science Fiction
Children's/Family
Biography by Hal Erickson
Born in Connecticut, John Ratzenberger spent most of his early adulthood in England and Europe. After a brief stint as assistant to a London tree surgeon, Ratzenberger helped organize the English improvisational troupe "Sal's Meat Market" in 1971. He made his first screen appearances in such British-based productions as The Ritz (1976), A Bridge Too Far (1977), Superman (1978), The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Gandhi (1982). In 1982, Ratzenberger read for the part of post-office employee Norm on the upcoming American TV sitcom Cheers. Sensing that he hadn't won the role (which was true), Ratzenberger asked if the cast of Cheers included the character of "a bar know-it-all." Suddenly he launched into an impromptu ten-minute monologue, posing as an endlessly chattering repository of useless information. Then and there, the character of Cliff Clavin was born--a character Ratzenberger played for the next ten years. A man of many talents, Ratzenberger directed several Cheers episodes, and also co-wrote two British television plays Friends in Space (1978) and Scalped (1979). Tirelessly active in the pro-ecology movement, John Ratzenberger was owner and operator of Eco-Pak, a conservation-conscious packaging firm. Since the demise of Cheers, the actor has resurrected Cliff Clavin in the form of an advertising pitchman and has appeared in many commercials. He has also found success doing voice overs for advertising and voicework in films such as Toy Story (1995) and Dog's Best Friend (1997). Ratzenberger also continues to make occasional guest appearances on television series such as Caroline in the City (NBC, 1995-?).

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Filmography

Movie/Film Released Rating Role Buy
Toy Story 3 2010 Voice [Starring]
Up 2009 Voice [Starring]
The Village Barbershop 2008 Actor [Starring]
WALL-E 2008 Voice [Starring]
Dancing With the Stars: Season 04 2007 Participant [Starring]
Kickin' It Old Skool 2007 Actor [Starring]
Ratatouille 2007 Voice [Starring]
Cars 2006 Voice [Starring]
The Incredibles 2004 Voice [Starring]
Finding Nemo 2003 Voice [Starring]
Frasier: Cheerful Goodbyes 2002 Actor [Starring]
The Pennsylvania Miners' Story 2002 Actor [Starring]
Determination of Death 2001 Actor [Starring]
Monsters, Inc. 2001 Voice [Starring]
Spirited Away 2001 Voice [Starring]
The Drew Carey Show: Drew Live III 2001 Actor [Starring]
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Videos of John Ratzenberger

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Another Toy Story 3 Character Poster (From toxicshock. 19 October 2009, 12:00 AM, PDT) The 'Cheers' gang is having a moment (From EW.com - PopWatch. 16 October 2009, 11:01 AM, PDT)
Ratzenberger was a house framer. He was living in London when he began his career in the performing arts. His first role was a Patron in The Ritz (1976). He appeared in minor roles in movies including Firefox; A Bridge Too Far; Superman as ...
John ratzenberger was born on April 6, 1947

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