24 Facts About John Ratzenberger

1.

John Dezso Ratzenberger was born on April 6,1947 and is an American actor, comedian and director.

2.

John Ratzenberger is best known for playing the character Cliff Clavin on the comedy series Cheers, for which he earned two Primetime Emmy nominations.

3.

John Ratzenberger played a role in the short-lived spin-off The Tortellis and in an episode of Wings, which was made by the same creators.

4.

John Ratzenberger began his entertainment career while living in London in the 1970s.

5.

John Ratzenberger acted in and wrote film and television through the 1970s and early 1980s before returning to America.

6.

At an audition for a role in a new sitcom, John Ratzenberger created the character of know-it-all mailman Cliff Clavin.

7.

John Dezso Ratzenberger was born on Easter Sunday, April 6,1947, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the son of Bertha Veronica, and Dezso Alexander Ratzenberger, a WWII veteran who had been a combat engineer in the Philippines.

8.

John Ratzenberger attended St Ann's School in Bridgeport and then Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut.

9.

In 1969, John Ratzenberger worked at the Woodstock Festival, as a heavy equipment operator and as part of the crew building the stage.

10.

John Ratzenberger moved to London in 1971 where he began his acting, writing, and directing career.

11.

John Ratzenberger began his career in the performing arts while living in London, England.

12.

John Ratzenberger played mail carrier Cliff Clavin on the sitcom Cheers.

13.

John Ratzenberger came up with the idea for Cliff's trademark white socks, which he wore as a tribute to French comedian Jacques Tati.

14.

John Ratzenberger was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 1985 and again in 1986.

15.

John Ratzenberger provided the voice for an animated version of Cliff on The Simpsons sixth-season episode "Fear of Flying".

16.

John Ratzenberger played the role in the short-lived spin-off The Tortellis and in an episode of Wings, which was made by the same creators.

17.

John Ratzenberger has had a voice role in each of Pixar's first 22 films.

18.

The film's director, Pete Docter, hinted to audiences that John Ratzenberger makes a "cameo" in the film, but the cameo was confirmed by co-director Kemp Powers to be an animated appearance instead of a voice role, meaning John Ratzenberger himself technically did not participate in the film.

19.

John Ratzenberger married Georgia Stiny in 1984; during their 19 year marriage they had two children together before divorcing in 2004.

20.

John Ratzenberger developed a packaging-alternatives product made from biodegradable and non-toxic recycled paper as a safe alternative to foam peanuts and plastic bubble wrap.

21.

John Ratzenberger was outspoken in opposition of the 2010 health care reform bill, referring to it as socialism.

22.

John Ratzenberger campaigned for Republican Josh Mandel of Ohio for state treasurer in 2010 and served as master of ceremonies for Mandel's inauguration into the position in 2011.

23.

John Ratzenberger considered running for the US Senate in Connecticut in 2012.

24.

John Ratzenberger appeared on Your World with Neil Cavuto to support Donald Trump's candidacy during the 2016 presidential race, shortly after Trump was declared the presumptive Republican nominee.