John started the improvisational comedy group, "Sal's Meat Market", in Bridgeport, Connecticut, while a student at Sacred Heart University, located in Fairfield/Bridgeport, Connecticut. He was later affiliated with the ensemble group, "The Downtown Cabaret". Coincidentally, he was a friend of 'Susan Ryan .
In late 2000, he went to the Supreme Court with "Cheers" co-star George Wendt to get control of their characters (Cliff and Norm), which are wanted to be used for commercials for Cheers-like airport bars. Wendt and Ratzenberger say they created their characters and do not want them exploited.
Only "Cheers" cast member to have actually lived in Boston -- specifically, the "Combat Zone" red-light district.
The only person to voice a character in all of Pixar Animations feature films: as Hamm in Toy Story , PT Flea in A Bugs Life , Hamm again in Toy Story 2 , Abominable Snowman in Monsters, Inc. , Fish School in Finding Nemo , Underminer in The Incredibles , Mack in Cars , Mustafa in Ratatouille , John in WALLE , Construction Foreman Tom in Up , Hamm in Toy Story 3 , Mack in Cars 2 , Gordon in Brave , Yeti in Monsters University , and Fritz in Inside Out , and Earl in The Good Dinosaur .
He was buried alive up to his neck in Motel Hell , as was his future "Cheers" co-star Ted Danson in Creepshow two years later.
When last registered, he was a red belt, in karate.
He does not, as believed by some, play the bagpipes but in fact plays snare drum for a pipe band called "Gold Coast Pipe Band" in which he was among the founding members.
Active in the pro-ecological movement, he was owner and operator of Eco-Pak, a conservation-conscious packaging company.
Co-wrote two British TV plays and directed several episodes of "Cheers" .
In 1971, he helped form and organize an improvisational comedy troupe called "Sals Meat Market".
Spent his early years in London where he was once an assistant to a tree surgeon.
The trading card for his Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back character, Bren Derlin, says that "At the Mos Eisley Cantina, everybody knows his name." Derlin is never seen in the Mos Eisley Cantina. This is an inside joke about his character Cliff Clavin the mailman, who frequents Cheers, "where everybody knows your name".
Along with George Wendt , Richard Belzer and Paul Fusco , he is one of only four actors to play the same character (Clifford C. Cliff Clavin, Jr.) in six different series: "Cheers" , "St. Elsewhere" , "The Tortellis" , "Wings" , "The Simpsons" and "Frasier" . He appeared in all six series with George Wendt.
His speaking role in Richard Attenborough s Gandhi , was dubbed by Martin Sheen. Later he went on to become a trademark voice for Pixar Studios.
He is a father of two children. One son, named James John born in 1987 and one daughter, Nina Katherine born in 1989.
He recently started the Nuts, Bolts and Thingamajigs Foundation, whose mission is to "Give children tools and watch them build America.".
Formerly engaged to Lindsay McGrail.
Attended and helped construct the stage at the Woodstock Festival in 1969. Recalls that an unpopular National Guard became vital emergency personnel of the event - distributing water and food to the hundreds of thousands of attendees.
Center for America senior fellow.
He is a supporter of the Republican Party.
His father was of Austrian and Hungarian descent, and his mother was of Polish ancestry.
Appeared in a commercial for "Quality" hotels.
As of 2016, has appeared in four films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Reds , Gandhi , Up and Toy Story 3 . Of those, Gandhi is a winner in the category.
He appeared in four films with Gene Hackman : A Bridge Too Far , Superman , Superman II and Reds .
Wake up in the morning, put your hand to something useful, and take care,of yourself and your family.
A farce, or slapstick humor, does well universally.
