JOHN RATZENBERGER (Hamm) hams it up as the piggybank with a wealth of knowledge.
Ratzenberger's background and acting experience is quite varied. To most people, he is best known as mailman extraordinaire and trivia king, Cliff Clavin in "Cheers." Born in Bridgeport and raised in Black Rock, Connecticut, Ratzenberger attended Sacred Heart University where he was an English major, studied karate and was an archery instructor. In his spare time, he joined the drama club where he made his stage debut in "Summer and Smoke." He followed up that part with subsequent leading roles in "West Side Story" and "Waiting for Godot."
He left school after four years taking a job on an oyster boat until he discovered a group of his former college chums waiting at the dock. His pals had tracked him down to replace the lead actor in their production of Murry Schisgal's comedy "Luv" at the Stowe Playhouse. He stayed on with the playhouse and performed in various one-man shows before he decided to take a job as a blacksmith and carpenter in North Wolcott, Vermont. After almost two years there, he took a trip to England for a three-week visit and remained there for ten years.
In London, he formed an improvisational theatre group, Sal's Meat Market, for which he co-wrote, directed and acted, portraying as many as 15 characters per show. After attracting the attention of the British Arts Council, he and a partner were given a grant to tour clubs and theaters throughout Europe.
He signed for his first motion picture role in 1974 in "The Ritz," which starred Rita Moreno. He has since appeared in 22 motion pictures including "A Bridge Too Far," "Yanks," "Superman," "Superman II," "Ragtime," "The Empire Strikes Back," "Outland" and "Gandhi."
On his return to the U.S. in 1981, Ratzenberger became more involved in television series and telefilms such as "Hill Street Blues," "Code Red" and the NBC television movie "Wedding Bell Blues."
His interests are furniture building, sailing and antique collecting. He and his wife, Georgia, son, James John and daughter, Nina reside in the Los Angeles area.
