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
I'll See You in My Dreams
(2015)
Sally
Poms
(2019)
Alice
The Sessions
(2012)
Mikvah Lady
You People
(2023)
Bubby
We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story
(1993)
Mother Bird (voice)
Canadian Bacon
(1995)
Deputy Honey
Sunset Park
(1996)
Phyllis Saroka
The Ratings Game
(1984)
Francine Kester
Class Act
(1992)
Miss Simpson
Carpool
(1996)
Martha
Beethoven's Big Break
(2008)
Patricia
10 Items or Less
(2006)
Mrs. D
My Little Pony: The Movie
(1986)
Reeka (voice)
Full Filmography
Acting
Hot Dogs for Gauguin
(1972)
Woman on Ferry
Minestrone
(1975)
Tessy
I Want to Keep My Baby!
(1976)
Rae Finer
Stalk the Wild Child
(1976)
Jean
The Selling of Vince D'Angelo
(1976)
Vince's Wife
Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night
(1977)
Judy
Intimate Strangers
(1977)
Barbara
Swap Meet
(1979)
Mother
Like Normal People
(1979)
Jan
National Lampoon's Movie Madness
(1982)
Little Jewish Prostitute ("Municipalians")
Drop-Out Father
(1982)
Tawney Shapiro
Love Child
(1982)
June Burns
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
A Family Again
(1988)
Aunt Dee
Sesame Street: Put Down the Duckie: An All-Star Musical Special
(1988)
Self
Mickey's 60th Birthday
(1988)
Carla Tortelli
Molly and the Skywalkerz in "Two Daddies?"
(1989)
Rose Johnson (voice)
Disneyland's 35th Anniversary Special
(1990)
Self
Enid Is Sleeping
(1990)
Mavis
The Earth Day Special
(1990)
Paula
The Last Halloween
(1991)
Mrs. Gizborne
Ted & Venus
(1991)
Grace
There Goes the Neighborhood
(1992)
Lydia Nunn
To Grandmother's House We Go
(1992)
Shirley
Class Act
(1992)
Miss Simpson
We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story
(1993)
Mother Bird (voice)
A Place To Be Loved
(1993)
Jerry Blair
Sesame Street All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever!
(1994)
Worm TV Host
The World of Jim Henson
(1994)
Self (archive footage)
Spoils of War
(1994)
Emma
Canadian Bacon
(1995)
Deputy Honey
Sunset Park
(1996)
Phyllis Saroka
Matilda
(1996)
Zinnia Wormwood
Carpool
(1996)
Martha
In the Doghouse
(1998)
Phil Markowitz
Monty Python: Live at Aspen
(1998)
Audience Member (uncredited)
Houdini
(1998)
Esther
H.E. Double Hockey Sticks
(1999)
Ms. Beelzebub
A Tale of Two Bunnies
(2000)
Thelma
Painful Secrets
(2000)
Dr. Parella
How to Marry a Billionaire: A Christmas Tale
(2000)
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
The Christmas Choir
(2008)
Sister Agatha
Beethoven's Big Break
(2008)
Patricia
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
Must See TV: An All Star Tribute to James Burrows
(2016)
Self
Sing
(2016)
Judith (voice)
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
13: The Musical
(2022)
Grandma Ruth
Marvelous and the Black Hole
(2022)
Margot
You People
(2023)
Bubby
Barbie
(2023)
Ruth
Directing
Production
Writing
Crew