The Doorpost
GUEST: John Ratzenberger
A multi-Emmy-nominated actor and accomplished screenwriter, director, producer and author, John Ratzenberger may be best known for playing mail carrier Cliff Clavin on the long-running NBC sitcom “Cheers.” Though never a postman in real life, he did work as a carpenter, archery instructor and oyster boat crewman, and also created and starred in the Travel Channel series “Made in America,” which spotlighted U.S.-made goods and workers. Along with work in feature films, from major studio blockbusters like Superman and Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back to independent films like the recent drama The Woodcarver, animation has been a natural home to his versatile vocal talents. John Ratzenberger is the only actor to participate in every Pixar film. Beginning with the charming and witty Hamm the piggy bank in Toy Story, reprised in Toy Story 2 and 3, there came P.T. Flea in A Bug’s Life, Yeti the abominable snowman in Monsters, Inc., a school of moonfish in Finding Nemo, the Underminer in The Incredibles, Mack the truck in Cars/Cars 2, Mustafa the waiter in Ratatouille, John in WALL-E, Tom the construction worker in Up and Gordon in Brave. He is currently a recurring character on the FX hit TV show, LEGIT.
FAVORITE QUOTE:
“Never leave your wallet in the dressing room.” -Sir Laurence Olivier
“Success is going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” -Sir Winston Churchill
BIG BREAK:
Having the right people around him when he got started.
BUSINESS ADVICE:
Don’t buy stupid things. Have someone in your life you can get business and financial advice from.
SUCCESS HABITS:
He gets right back on the horse when he gets bucked off.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:
Mr. Hulot’s Holiday with Jacques Tati
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT JOHN:
Duane,
Outstanding interview, you have a real gift and John Ratzenberger is truly extraordinary…he is everyman!
John McGuire