Rhea Perlman is an American actress best known for playing Carla Tortelli on Cheers, a role that earned her four Emmy wins and made her one of the most recognizable sitcom performers of her generation. Born on March 31, 1948, in Brooklyn, New York, she is 78 years old as of 2026. Wikipedia documents her biography and career in detail.
Her career has stretched across five decades, from Off-Broadway theater in the early 1970s to the global box-office phenomenon Barbie in 2023. Along the way, she built a reputation centered on sharp comedic timing and strong-willed characters.
She is also widely recognized for her long relationship with actor Danny DeVito. The couple married in 1982, separated years later, and remain legally married, a status that continues to attract public attention.
Who Is Rhea Perlman?
Born Rhea Jo Perlman in the Coney Island neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, she studied drama at Hunter College and earned a bachelor’s degree there. Her interest in acting developed during those college years, setting the stage for a career in theater and television. Britannica traces her path from campus theater to professional performance, and a White House archival profile documented her rise for a younger audience during the Clinton era.
Before Cheers, Perlman worked her way through stage productions and television guest roles. That groundwork led to her casting in 1982 as Carla Tortelli, the sharp-tongued waitress at the center of the show’s ensemble.
Rhea Perlman is an American actress, born March 31, 1948, in Brooklyn, New York.
Her iconic role as Carla Tortelli on Cheers (1982–1993), plus films like Matilda.
Married to Danny DeVito in 1982; they separated but remain legally married.
Has three children with Danny DeVito.
- Rhea Perlman is an Emmy-winning actress best known for playing waitress Carla Tortelli on the sitcom Cheers.
- Despite separating from Danny DeVito, the couple remain legally married, and DeVito said in 2026 that they still have a “good” relationship.
- Perlman was born in 1948, making her 76–77 years old as of 2025 and 78 as of 2026.
- She has three children with DeVito, and the family has remained close despite the separation.
- Perlman’s career spans more than 50 years, with notable roles in film, television, and theater, including the cult classic Matilda.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Born | March 31, 1948 |
| Birthplace | Brooklyn, New York, USA |
| Age | 78 (as of 2026) |
| Occupation | Actress and author |
| Known For | Carla Tortelli on Cheers |
| Spouse | Danny DeVito (m. 1982; separated) |
| Children | 3 |
| Net Worth | Not publicly confirmed |
What Is Rhea Perlman Known For?
Perlman’s career is defined above all by Cheers, the NBC sitcom that ran for 11 seasons. She played Carla Tortelli, the waitress whose sharp tongue and quick wit made her a fan favorite. Across the show’s run, Perlman received 10 Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and won four times. Her complete list of credits is available through IMDb.
What Is Rhea Perlman’s Role in Cheers?
As Carla Tortelli, Perlman anchored the bar’s waitstaff and delivered some of the series’ most memorable one-liners. The role ran from the show’s debut in 1982 until its finale in 1993, making it one of the longest-running sitcom performances of its era.
Her television work extends well beyond Cheers. She appeared on Taxi early in her career and later starred in Pearl and Kate Brasher. She also had a recurring role on The Mindy Project from 2014 to 2017. Stage appearances are documented in her BroadwayWorld biography.
Did Rhea Perlman Play in Matilda?
Yes. Perlman played the mother of the title character in Matilda (1996), the film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s novel. The movie is widely remembered as one of her best-known film roles. Other film credits include Canadian Bacon (1995), Sunset Park (1996), Carpool (1996), The Sessions (2012), and Poms (2019).
Is Rhea Perlman Still Acting?
Her most recent major screen role was in Barbie (2023), where she played Ruth Handler, the creator of the iconic doll. The film introduced her to a new generation of viewers. No specific 2025 or 2026 project has been announced in the available sources, but she continues to be described as an active veteran actress. People has followed her career milestones.
Across the 11-season run of Cheers, Perlman received 10 Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and won four times. Critical reviews of her performances are compiled on RogerEbert.com, which maintains a running record of professional assessments of her work.
Are Rhea Perlman and Danny DeVito Still Married?
Perlman married Danny DeVito on January 28, 1982. The two first met in 1970 at an Off-Broadway play, and their relationship has become one of Hollywood’s longest-running. Yahoo News UK covered DeVito’s recent comments about the state of their relationship.
When Did Rhea Perlman and Danny DeVito Get Married?
They married on January 28, 1982, more than a decade after they first met. Their marriage remained intact publicly for decades before reports of a separation emerged.
Did Rhea Perlman and Danny DeVito Divorce?
No divorce has been finalized. While the couple separated, reference sources continue to describe them as married. Different outlets report different years for the separation: some cite 2012, while others date the public announcement to 2017. Danny DeVito‘s biography offers additional background on their relationship timeline.
What Have They Said About Each Other Recently?
In 2026, DeVito publicly stated that he and Perlman still have a “good” relationship. The comment drew widespread attention and reinforced that the pair remain on amicable terms despite their separation.
Sources do not fully agree on when the separation occurred. Some reference materials cite 2012; others point to a 2017 announcement. What is consistent is that no divorce has been finalized and the couple is still described as legally married.
Does Rhea Perlman Have Children?
Yes. Rhea Perlman and Danny DeVito have three children: Lucy Chet DeVito, Gracie Fan DeVito, and Jake Daniel DeVito. Encyclopedia.com includes the family details in its biographical entry on Perlman.
How Many Children Does Rhea Perlman Have?
The couple has three children, all born during their marriage. The family has remained close despite the separation of Perlman and DeVito.
Who Are Rhea Perlman’s Children?
Their names are Lucy Chet DeVito, Gracie Fan DeVito, and Jake Daniel DeVito. Beyond these documented facts, the children have largely stayed out of the public spotlight.
Perlman and DeVito share three children: Lucy Chet DeVito, Gracie Fan DeVito, and Jake Daniel DeVito. Their relationship began in 1970, and they married in 1982.
When Did Rhea Perlman Start Acting?
Perlman began building her career in the early 1970s with small television and theater roles, after completing her drama studies at Hunter College. TV Insider places those early years in context within her broader career profile.
- — Rhea Perlman is born in Brooklyn, New York.
- — Begins her acting career with small roles in TV and theater.
- — Marries Danny DeVito.
- — Cast as Carla Tortelli on Cheers, a role she plays until 1993.
- — Stars as the mother in Matilda.
- — Separates from Danny DeVito; some accounts date the public announcement to 2017.
- — Danny DeVito publicly states that they still have a “good” relationship.
What Is Rhea Perlman’s Net Worth?
No reliable net worth figure for Rhea Perlman has been publicly confirmed. While some entertainment outlets publish estimates, those figures are not consistently documented.
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Born March 31, 1948, in Brooklyn, New York. | Exact net worth figures are not publicly confirmed. |
| Married Danny DeVito in 1982; separated but not divorced. | Legal divorce status as of 2025–2026 is publicly referred to as “separated.” |
| Played Carla Tortelli on Cheers and the mother in Matilda. | Some sources repeat an error that places Perlman in the role of Norm Peterson on Cheers; Norm Peterson was played by George Wendt. |
| Has three children with Danny DeVito. | No upcoming acting projects have been publicly announced. |
One recurring error is worth addressing directly. A New York Post tag page has been cited with wording that mistakenly attributes the role of Norm Peterson to Perlman. That character was played by George Wendt on Cheers. Perlman’s role was Carla Tortelli.
Why Did Rhea Perlman and Danny DeVito Separate?
The available sources do not provide a single stated reason for the couple’s separation. What is documented is the timeline: they met in 1970, married in 1982, and separated after decades together without finalizing a divorce.
Their relationship has remained a subject of public interest precisely because of its unusual legal status. Reference sources still describe them as married, and DeVito said in 2026 that he and Perlman maintain a “good” relationship. That keeps the question of their legal status relevant.
Where Can You Find Reliable Information About Rhea Perlman?
For biographical facts, established reference works offer the most consistent information. Britannica and Wikipedia both provide detailed entries on Perlman’s life and career. For professional credits, IMDb is the industry-standard database. For critical perspective, RogerEbert.com compiles professional reviews of her performances.
Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman still have a “good” relationship… separated from the Cheers actress in 2017 – although they remain legally married.
— Yahoo News UK
Readers should approach entertainment news aggregators with care, as some have published incorrect details. The Norm Peterson attribution error is a useful reminder to verify acting credits against primary sources such as IMDb.
Why Does Rhea Perlman’s Career Still Matter?
Rhea Perlman’s work on Cheers secured her place in television history, and her later appearance in Barbie introduced her to a new generation of viewers. Her relationship with Danny DeVito continues to interest the public, and her career remains a reference point for comedic television performances. For a broader look at the show’s legacy, see The Cast of Cheers: Where Are They Now?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rhea Perlman married to Danny DeVito?
Yes, they married in 1982. They separated after several decades together but have not divorced, so they are still legally married.
How old is Rhea Perlman?
She was born on March 31, 1948, in Brooklyn, New York, making her 78 years old as of 2026.
Where was Rhea Perlman born?
She was born in the Coney Island neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, on March 31, 1948.
What is Rhea Perlman’s full name?
Her full name is Rhea Jo Perlman.
How many Emmy nominations did Rhea Perlman receive for Cheers?
She received 10 Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and won four times.
What was Rhea Perlman’s role in Barbie?
She played Ruth Handler, the creator of Barbie, in the 2023 film.
Where did Rhea Perlman study acting?
She studied drama at Hunter College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree.
Sophie Marlowe covers culture, lifestyle and society for BritView.uk.