Rhea Jo Perlman (born March 31, 1948) is an American actress and writer. She is best known for her role as head-waitress Carla Tortelli in the sitcom Cheers (1982–1993). Over the course of 11 seasons, Perlman was nominated for ten Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress – winning four times – and was nominated for a record seven Golden Globe Awards for Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series. She has also appeared in films, including Canadian Bacon (1995), Matilda (1996), The Sessions (2012), and Poms (2019).
Known For
Barbie
(2023)
Ruth
Sing
(2016)
Judith (voice)
Matilda
(1996)
Zinnia Wormwood
The Sessions
(2012)
Mikvah Lady
Poms
(2019)
Alice
You People
(2023)
Bubby
I'll See You in My Dreams
(2015)
Sally
We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story
(1993)
Mother Bird (voice)
Canadian Bacon
(1995)
Deputy Honey
The Ratings Game
(1984)
Francine Kester
Beethoven's Big Break
(2008)
Patricia
10 Items or Less
(2006)
Mrs. D
My Little Pony: The Movie
(1986)
Reeka (voice)
Class Act
(1992)
Miss Simpson
13: The Musical
(2022)
Grandma Ruth
Sesame Street All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever!
(1994)
Worm TV Host
Full Filmography
Acting
Hot Dogs for Gauguin
(1972)
Woman on Ferry
Minestrone
(1975)
Tessy
I Want to Keep My Baby!
(1976)
Rae Finer
The Selling of Vince D'Angelo
(1976)
Vince's Wife
Stalk the Wild Child
(1976)
Jean
Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night
(1977)
Judy
Intimate Strangers
(1977)
Barbara
Like Normal People
(1979)
Jan
Swap Meet
(1979)
Mother
Love Child
(1982)
June Burns
Drop-Out Father
(1982)
Tawney Shapiro
National Lampoon's Movie Madness
(1982)
Little Jewish Prostitute ("Municipalians")
The Ratings Game
(1984)
Francine Kester
Molly and the Skywalkerz in "Happily Ever After"
(1985)
Rose Johnson (voice)
My Little Pony: The Movie
(1986)
Reeka (voice)
Stamp of a Killer
(1987)
Claudia
Mickey's 60th Birthday
(1988)
Carla Tortelli
Sesame Street: Put Down the Duckie: An All-Star Musical Special
(1988)
Self
A Family Again
(1988)
Aunt Dee
Molly and the Skywalkerz in "Two Daddies?"
(1989)
Rose Johnson (voice)
The Earth Day Special
(1990)
Paula
Enid Is Sleeping
(1990)
Mavis
Disneyland's 35th Anniversary Special
(1990)
Self
Ted & Venus
(1991)
Grace
The Last Halloween
(1991)
Mrs. Gizborne
Class Act
(1992)
Miss Simpson
To Grandmother's House We Go
(1992)
Shirley
There Goes the Neighborhood
(1992)
Lydia Nunn
A Place To Be Loved
(1993)
Jerry Blair
We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story
(1993)
Mother Bird (voice)
Spoils of War
(1994)
Emma
The World of Jim Henson
(1994)
Self (archive footage)
Sesame Street All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever!
(1994)
Worm TV Host
Canadian Bacon
(1995)
Deputy Honey
Matilda
(1996)
Zinnia Wormwood
Carpool
(1996)
Martha
Sunset Park
(1996)
Phyllis Saroka
In the Doghouse
(1998)
Phil Markowitz
Houdini
(1998)
Esther
Monty Python: Live at Aspen
(1998)
Audience Member (uncredited)
H.E. Double Hockey Sticks
(1999)
Ms. Beelzebub
A Tale of Two Bunnies
(2000)
Thelma
How to Marry a Billionaire: A Christmas Tale
(2000)
Painful Secrets
(2000)
Dr. Parella
NBC 75th Anniversary Special
(2002)
Self
My Movie About Making 'Matilda' by Mara Wilson
(2005)
Self
Matilda's Movie Magic: The Making of 'Matilda'
(2005)
Herself
10 Items or Less
(2006)
Mrs. D
Love Comes Lately
(2007)
Reisel
Beethoven's Big Break
(2008)
Patricia
The Christmas Choir
(2008)
Sister Agatha
The Nightman Cometh: Live
(2009)
Gladys
Oliver's Ghost
(2011)
Eloise
The Trouble With Bliss
(2011)
Maria (uncredited)
The Sessions
(2012)
Mikvah Lady
I'll See You in My Dreams
(2015)
Sally
Sing
(2016)
Judith (voice)
Must See TV: An All Star Tribute to James Burrows
(2016)
Self
Lemon
(2017)
Esther
The Matchmaker
(2018)
Irene
Poms
(2019)
Alice
Saving Flora
(2019)
Gabriella
Mr. Bungle: The Night They Came Home
(2020)
Spooky Narration
Funny Face
(2021)
Fernie
Marvelous and the Black Hole
(2022)
Margot
13: The Musical
(2022)
Grandma Ruth
You People
(2023)
Bubby
Barbie
(2023)
Ruth
Production
Directing
Writing
Crew