He's become a part of our cultural history by playing the lovable postman, Cliff Clavin, on the classic sitcom "Cheers" -- but that's hardly keeping actor John Ratzenberger from delivering cheers to movie audiences, too.
That's because Ratzenberger, 56, has become a mainstay in the computer-animated world of Pixar Animation Studios/Walt Disney Pictures, holding the distinction of being the only actor to have voiced roles in all five of the studios' productions.
Ratzenberger voiced Hamm the Piggy Bank in the two "Toy Story" films, as well as ringmaster P.T. Flea in "A Bug's Life" and Yeti -- the abominable snowman with a heart -- in "Monster's Inc."
But in the blockbuster hit "Finding Nemo," which is new on DVD, Ratzenberger has multiple duties, in a sense -- he voices the Moonfish school that points Marlin (Albert Brooks) and Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) in the right direction to help the duo find Marlin's son Nemo (Alexander Gould): a small fry who's been captured by a deep sea diver.
With as much as he's done for Pixar, you'd almost think they'd have a room in whichfor him to stay at the studio between gigs.
"I'd be sleeping in it now if they did," Ratzenberger told me, laughing, during a recent @ The Movies interview. "I just think they're a great bunch of people. We just seem to enjoy each other's company. It's been so good that I thought at one point it might have been a clerical error (having my name attached to all the films), but (Pixar founder) John Lasseter assured me 'No, it's on purpose.' I'm grateful for that."
Ratzenberger said what he's always admired about the filmmakers at Pixar is their dedication to the written word. He well realizes that all of the visual wizardry in the world won't make a difference unless there's a great story to back it up.
"It's a mistake a lot of studios here in Los Angeles make -- they get the cash together first and couple together a story," Ratzenberger explained. "But, Pixar, they're adamant about having a strong story, that's why I'm so proud to work with them."
Ratzenberger likens Pixar's methods to "working back in the old studio system."
"They really work on a story," Ratzenberger said. "They hire great writers to work on the story for a couple of years, then they tear it apart and then put it back together again."
Best of all, he said, their stories speak to both kids
and adults -- and not in a trashy sort of way. And "Finding Nemo" is no different.
"You have to understand your audience: You can't just fly over your audience and expect them to show up when you make a product," Ratzenberger said. "And, they don't insult you and they don't try to sneak adult content in where it doesn't belong. They never sucker you into thinking it's a children's film and then turn it into a film that will make you feel embarrassed and squirmy."
Ratzenberger will extend his Disney-Pixar film streak with a role in the studios' next production, "The Incredibles," which is set for a November 2004 theatrical release.
"It's about superheroes who decide to retire and try to become suburbanites," Ratzenberger explained.
It's only fitting that Ratzenberger's next project carries a title like "The Incredibles." In fact, "incredible" is the perfect word to describe Ratzenberger's career -- and life.
"It's very humbling to know you're part of history," Ratzenberger said. "Looking back on my career, I've been in 'The Empire Strikes Back' and 'Cheers' -- and even before I became an actor, I helped build the stage at Woodstock. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time."
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