Age, Biography, and Wiki
Rhea Perlman was born on March 31, 1948, in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York. Her parents were Adele, a bookkeeper, and Philip Perlman, a Polish immigrant and doll parts factory manager. She was raised in the Bensonhurst neighborhood with her sister, Heide. Perlman's early life and upbringing laid the foundation for her future success in the entertainment industry.
| Occupation | Stage Actress |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 31 March 1948 |
| Age | 77 Years |
| Birth Place | Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aries |
| Country | U.S |
Height, Weight & Measurements
Unfortunately, specific details about Rhea Perlman's height, weight, and other physical measurements are not widely reported. However, her on-screen presence and diverse roles have captivated audiences throughout her career.
| Height | 5 ft |
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Dating & Relationship Status
Rhea Perlman was married to fellow actor Danny DeVito from 1982 to 2017, though they announced their separation in 2012. Despite their separation, they filed for divorce in 2017 but have remained close friends.
She grew up in Bensonhurst in a Jewish family with additional roots in Russia. She has a sister, Heide, who is a television writer, story editor, and producer who worked on Cheers, Frasier and The Tracey Ullman Show. In the mid-1980s, her parents moved to Los Angeles, and her father became an extra on Cheers. His character became known by his real name, Phil, and he managed to get a few lines over the years as he appeared in more than 30 episodes. He created a second career as a character actor, appearing in several films and television shows, including Throw Momma from the Train, Hoffa, and Frasier.
Perlman began her acting career with a small role as an attendant in the off-off-Broadway play Dracula Sabbat, which ran from September 1970 to June 1971. In 1972, she played a bit role in the film Hot Dogs for Gauguin. That same year she appeared in Westbeth Playwrights Feminist Collective's production of Up – An Uppity Revue, along with her future husband, Danny DeVito.
One of her first notable parts was a recurring role on the television show Taxi as Zena, the sweet girlfriend of Louie De Palma (played by DeVito). Following that, she had a role in a small play portraying a much tougher character. Producers Glen and Les Charles saw her in that play, which led to her landing the role as wisecracking barmaid Carla Tortelli on their sitcom Cheers in 1982.
In 1986, Perlman starred in an episode of Steven Spielberg's Amazing Stories titled "The Wedding Ring," which also starred DeVito as her character's husband.
In the 1990s, Perlman starred in several TV movies and motion pictures. In 1992, she starred in the made-for-TV-movie, To Grandmother's House We Go opposite Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen, playing the wife of Jerry Van Dyke's character; the couple kidnapped the Olsen Twins' characters, hoping to cash in on ransom before Christmas. Other TV films in which she starred included the dramas A Place to Be Loved and In Spite of Love. Perlman's motion picture roles included There Goes The Neighborhood (1992), Canadian Bacon (1995), Carpool (1996), Sunset Park (1996), and Matilda (1996). She had a cameo in the film 10 Items Or Less (2006), and also starred in the 2007 independent film Love Comes Lately.
In 1994, Perlman voiced 9-Eye in The Timekeeper, a Circle-Vision show at the Magic Kingdom in Tomorrowland. She later starred in the 1996 sitcom Pearl as the title character and was featured on the 2001 TV drama Kate Brasher. Among her notable guest appearances was on the fourth-season premiere of Becker, which starred Cheers co-star Ted Danson. Perlman also appeared in a 2000 television film How to Marry a Billionaire: A Christmas Tale, in which she impersonated Jackie Kennedy. She also portrayed a therapist called Dr. Parella in the 2000 film Secret Cutting, which follows the story of a young girl named Dawn who self-injures. In 2007, Perlman appeared as Bertha in the West End of London in the comedy Boeing Boeing. In 2008, she starred in the Hallmark Channel original movie, The Christmas Choir, and appeared in Beethoven's Big Break in 2008 as Patricia Benji. In 2009, she appeared as Tanya's mother on the series Hung for Home Box Office Networks. In 2011, Perlman had a guest appearance as Mittens in one episode of Wilfred.
In 2009, Perlman and her daughter Lucy DeVito starred in the off-Broadway play Love, Loss, and What I Wore, adapted by Nora and Delia Ephron, at the Westside Theatre. From 2014 to 2017, she starred in a recurring role on The Mindy Project as Danny's mother, Annette Castellano.
The family resided in Beverly Hills, California, and they owned a vacation home in Interlaken, New Jersey that they frequented to get away from Los Angeles. Throughout their relationship, Perlman and DeVito have acted alongside each other several times, including in the TV show Taxi and the feature film Matilda.
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| Husband | Danny DeVito (m. January 28, 1982-October 2012) |
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Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Rhea Perlman's net worth is estimated to be around $60 million to $65 million, with an annual salary of approximately $4 million. Her earnings are primarily derived from her successful acting career, including her long-running role in "Cheers" and appearances in films like "Matilda" and "The Sessions."
Career, Business, and Investments
Rhea Perlman began her acting career in the early 1970s with roles in plays and films. Her breakthrough came with the sitcom "Cheers," where she played Carla Tortelli from 1982 to 1993. Perlman has also starred in numerous films, including "Sunset Park," "Matilda," and "10 Items or Less." Her work has earned her multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
In addition to her acting, Perlman and her former husband, Danny DeVito, have invested in real estate, having owned a significant property in Beverly Hills that they sold in 2015 for $24 million.
Social Network
Rhea Perlman is not particularly active on mainstream social media platforms. However, her work and legacy continue to be celebrated on various platforms, highlighting her enduring impact on the entertainment industry.
Perlman met Danny DeVito on January 17, 1971, when she went to see a friend in the single performance of the play The Shrinking Bride, which also featured DeVito. They moved in together two weeks after meeting and married on January 28, 1982. They have three children: Lucy Chet DeVito, Grace Fan DeVito, and Jacob Daniel DeVito. Perlman, who is Jewish, and DeVito, who was raised Catholic, raised their children celebrating the major holidays of both religions but did not give their children any religious identity. Perlman told the Los Angeles Times in 1998: We do all the holidays to keep the traditions and the culture going, but I truly don't have a great feeling about any particular organized religion, and I don't think it's right to impose one on my kids. I feel like I'm bringing them up to be good people, and that's what it's about. In addition to their three children, the couple have two grandchildren.
Education
Rhea Perlman attended Hunter College in Manhattan, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in drama in 1968. This educational background provided her with the skills necessary to pursue a successful acting career.
Rhea Jo Perlman (born March 31, 1948) is an American actress and author. She is well-known for playing head waitress Carla Tortelli in the sitcom Cheers (1982–1993). Over the course of eleven seasons, Perlman was nominated for ten Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress, winning four, and was nominated for a record six 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), Poms (2019), and Barbie (2023).
