Rhea Perlman

Rhea Jo Perlman (born March 31, 1948) is an acclaimed American actress who carved her path in the entertainment industry with not just her acting caliber but her writing prowess as well. She is best remembered for her role as the head waitress Carla Tortelli in the sitcom Cheers (1982–1993), for which she bagged four Emmy Awards and garnered a record six nominations for the Golden Globe Awards. Perlman's career has also seen her star in a diverse range of films including Canadian Bacon (1995), Matilda (1996), The Sessions (2012), Poms (2019), and Barbie (2023).

Born to a Jewish family in Coney Island, Brooklyn, Perlman was always drawn to drama. She pursued her passion at Hunter College in New York, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1968. Her acting journey began with a small role in an off-off-Broadway play, eventually leading to notable parts on TV and film. Perlman didn't limit her creativity to just acting. She turned author with her illustrated children's book series Otto Undercover, creating quite a buzz in the literary circles. Perlman's personal life saw her meet her partner Danny DeVito in 1971. They have been through their share of ups and downs, separating in 2012 and again in 2017, and yet choosing to remain friends.