Rhea Perlman Headshot

Rhea Perlman

Birth Place: Brooklyn, NY, USA

Get Rhea Perlman Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Rhea Perlman BIO

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. 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.

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. 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.

Perlman won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy four times: in 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1989. 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.

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.

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

In 2023, Perlman earned critical praise for playing Barbie creator Ruth Handler in Greta Gerwig's film Barbie.

Rhea Perlman Photos

Rhea Perlman STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
The New Group Off-Broadway Production, 2018
Nora

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2009
Performer [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 2000
Marjorie [Replacement]


Rhea Perlman Movies

Swap Meet
[ 1979 ] Mother
Love Child
[ 1982 ] June Burns
Movie Madness
[ 1982 ] Little Jewish Prostitute -Municipalians
My Little Pony: The Movie
[ 1986 ] Reeka
Enid Is Sleeping
[ 1990 ] Mavis
Ted & Venus
[ 1991 ] Grace
Class Act
[ 1992 ] Miss Simpson
There Goes the Neighborhood
[ 1992 ] Lydia Nunn
We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story
[ 1993 ] Mother Bird
Canadian Bacon
[ 1995 ] Honey
Sunset Park
[ 1996 ] Phyllis Saroka
Matilda
[ 1996 ] Mrs. Wormwood
Carpool
[ 1996 ] Martha
10 Items or Less
[ 2006 ] Mrs. D
Love Comes Lately
[ 2007 ] Reisel
The Sessions
[ 2012 ] Mikvah Lady
I'll See You in My Dreams
[ 2015 ] Sally
Sing
[ 2016 ] Judith
Lemon
[ 2017 ] Esther
Half Magic
[ 2018 ] Linda
Saving Flora
[ 2018 ] Gabriella
Poms
[ 2019 ] Alice
Funny Face
[ 2020 ] Fernie
Mr. Bungle: The Night They Came Home
[ 2020 ] Spooky Narrator
Marvelous and the Black Hole
[ 2021 ] Margot
13: The Musical
[ 2022 ] Ruth

Rhea Perlman TV Shows

Cheers
Carla Tortelli, Carla LeBec, Annette Lozupone
Hung
Vera-Joan Skagle
Kirstie
Thelma Katz
Pearl
Pearl Caraldo
Robot and Monster
Nessie
Taxi
Zena Sherman, John's Girlfriend
The Mindy Project
Annette Castellano

Rhea Perlman Videos

Rhea Perlman News


Andrew Rannells Joins Lena Dunham's New Netflix Series


Andrew Rannells is reuniting with Girls creator Lena Dunham for her new Netflix series. Rannells will be joining Megan Stalter, Will Sharpe, and Emily Ratajkowski in Too Much, also starring Michael Zegen, Richard E. Grant, Stephen Fry, Janicza Bravo, Rhea Perlman, Rita Wilson, and more. Get the scoop on the new show.

BARBIE THE MOVIE IN CONCERT Will Embark on Tour This Summer


Barbie the Movie: In Concert is hitting the road this summer! The tour kicks off on July 2 in Tampa, FL. Check out the full list of dates here!

Ryan Gosling Will Perform 'I'm Just Ken' at the Oscars


Ryan Gosling is officially bringing Ken to the Oscars. The La La Land actor, nominated for his role in Barbie, will be performing the film's 'I'm Just Ken' at this year's Oscars. The Mark Ronson-produced power ballad is also nominated for Best Original Song, as is 'What Was I Made For?' by Billie Eilish.

THE COLOR PURPLE, MAESTRO & More Nominated For SAG Awards - Full List of Nominations!


This morning, nominees for the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® honoring outstanding individual, cast and ensemble performances for the past year were announced. Check out the full list of nominations, which include Danielle Brooks, Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan, Hannah Waddingham, the cast of The Gilded Age, and more.

Ryan Gosling Drops Holiday Remix of 'I'm Just Ken' in New EP With Three New Versions of the BARBIE Song


Ryan Gosling has dropped three new remixes of 'I'm Just Ken' from the Barbie movie, including a festive holiday version! 'Ken the EP' features the original song, along with “I’m Just Ken (Merry Kristmas Barbie),” “I’m Just Ken (In My Feelings Acoustic)” and “I’m Just Ken (Purple Disco Machine Remix).” Listen now!

Danny DeVito to Narrate MATILDA In Concert at New Jersey Symphony


Don't miss New Jersey Symphony's live concert of Matilda with Danny DeVito narrating! Composer David Newman conducts the enchanting score at State Theatre New Jersey.

BARBIE Is Now Streaming on Max


Warner Bros. Pictures’ BARBIE makes its exclusive streaming debut on Max. BARBIE debuted in theaters on July 21 and broke records as the highest-grossing global release in the studio’s 100-year history. Barbie with ASL, the hit blockbuster film interpreted in American Sign Language (ASL), is also available starting now.

Greta Gerwig's BARBIE to Receive the Gotham Global Icon & Creator Tribute at the 2023 Gotham Awards


The Icon & Creator Tribute was created for this year’s Gotham Awards in order to recognize cultural icons and the filmmakers responsible for bringing that icon’s story to life. With the Global Icon & Creator Tribute, The Gotham will honor and celebrate the creative team behind Greta Gerwig’s innovative and imaginative Barbie.

How Often Have Parents and Children Appeared in the Same Broadway Show?


This time, the reader question was: Have parents and children appeared in the same Broadway show together, before Danny DeVito and Lucy DeVito in I Need That?

Photos: Rhea Perlman, Mark Ruffalo And More Turn Out As I NEED THAT Opens On Broadway!


The best of Broadway was on hand at the American Airlines Theatre last night, where Roundabout Theatre Company celebrated opening night of I Need That by Theresa Rebeck, directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel. See the photos!

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld November 8th, 2023


Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is November 8, 2023 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Photos: Tony Danza, Mark Ruffalo, and More Celebrate Opening Night of I NEED THAT


Roundabout Theatre Company presents the world premiere of I Need That by Theresa Rebeck, starring Danny DeVito, directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel. BroadwayWorld was there backstage and at the after party. Check out photos here of all the stars including a TAXI reunion!

CURSES! Animated Series to Premiere on Apple TV+ on Friday


The series features Emmy Award winner Rhea Perlman (“Barbie”) as “Margie,” Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad (“A Raisin in the Sun”) as “Georgia Snitker,” and Robert Englund (“A Nightmare on Elm Street”) as “Cornelius.” Watch the video trailer now!

Interview: Proud Mom Marilu Henner Ever Excited in Making MUSIC & Remembering MEMORIES


I had the incredible pleasure of talking to Marilu Henner on her upcoming show at the Write-Off Room Music and Memories on September 23, 2023. She completely wowed me with her uncanny detailed memory of her illustrious career. Marilu is only one of twelve people in the world who has hyperthymesia, or in laymen’s terms: total recall memory. Accompanying Marilu on her one-nighter will be musical director Michael Orland on piano.

Photos: Go Inside Opening Night of LET'S CALL HER PATTY at Lincoln Center Theater/LCT3


See photos from opening night of Let's Call Her Patty at Lincoln Center Theater!

Video: Rhea Perlman & Company Celebrate Opening Night of LET'S CALL HER PATTY


In this video, go inside opening night of Lincoln Center Theater/LCT3just celebrated opening night of the world premiere production of LET’S CALL HER PATTY, a new play by Zarina Shea, directed by Margot Bordelon.

Review Roundup: LET'S CALL HER PATTY Opens Starring Rhea Perlman, Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer & Arielle Goldman


Lincoln Center Theater/LCT3 is presenting the world premiere production of LET’S CALL HER PATTY, a new play by Zarina Shea, directed by Margot Bordelon, for six weeks only through Sunday, August 27 at the Claire Tow Theater (150 West 65 Street). Read reviews for the production.

Video: Arielle Goldman, Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer & Rhea Perlman in LET'S CALL HER PATTY


Get a first look at footage of Arielle Goldman, Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer and Rhea Perlman in Let's Call Her Patty at Lincoln Center Theater.

LET'S CALL HER PATTY, PREJUDICE & PRIDE and More Lead Top Off-Broadway Shows for August


What's happening off-Broadway? BroadwayWorld is helping you pick what to see next by rounding up our top recommended theatre each month. Coming up off-Broadway this August is a world premiere comedy, a gender bent musical adaptation of a Jane Austen novel, and more. 

Photos: First Look at Arielle Goldman, Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer & Rhea Perlman in LET'S CALL HER PATTY


Get a first look at photos of Arielle Goldman, Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer, and Rhea Perlman in LET'S CALL HER PATTY, the new play by Zarina Shea, directed by Margot Bordelon. See the photos and learn more about the production at Lincoln Center Theater.

Rhea Perlman FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Rhea Perlman been in?

Rhea Perlman has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

How many West End shows has Rhea Perlman been in?

Rhea Perlman has not appeared in the West End.

Get Rhea Perlman Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos