--- name: "John Ratzenberger" canonical: "https://film.one/person/john-ratzenberger" fi1m_id: "john-ratzenberger" imdb_id: "nm0001652" tmdb_id: 7907 wikidata_id: "Q374093" roles: ["Actor","Director"] born: "6 April 1947" reviewed_on_fi1m: 28 average_fi1m_score: 77 average_as: "actor" average_over: 27 updated: "2026-10-10T15:53:18.142705+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # John Ratzenberger ## Identity John Ratzenberger - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/john-ratzenberger - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** john-ratzenberger - **IMDb ID:** nm0001652 - **TMDB ID:** 7907 - **Wikidata ID:** Q374093 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ratzenberger, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q374093, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001652/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7907 Actor and director. Born 6 April 1947 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor, Director - **Born:** 6 April 1947, Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA - **Active:** 1980–present - **Also known as:** John Dezso Ratzenberger - **Titles on Fi1m:** 28: 27 acting, 1 directing - **Frequently works with:** [Andrew Stanton](https://film.one/person/andrew-stanton.md), [Don Rickles](https://film.one/person/don-rickles.md), [Tim Allen](https://film.one/person/tim-allen.md), [Tom Hanks](https://film.one/person/tom-hanks.md), [Darla K. Anderson](https://film.one/person/darla-k-anderson.md), [Joan Cusack](https://film.one/person/joan-cusack.md), [John Lasseter](https://film.one/person/john-lasseter.md), [Pete Docter](https://film.one/person/pete-docter.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 77, as actor, over 27 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 71 (5), 1990s 85 (3), 2000s 88 (6), 2010s 76 (9), 2020s 71 (5) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 77 to 74 across 27 titles - **Score spread:** 14 at 80+, 10 at 60–79, 3 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 9 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Animation 22, Family 21, Adventure 17, Comedy 13, Action 5, Fantasy 5 - **Screen time:** 46 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $17,427m across 25 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ratzenberger, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q374093, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001652/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7907 ## Streaming the US now - **Disney+:** [*WALL·E*](https://film.one/film/walle.md) (92), [*Toy Story*](https://film.one/film/toy-story.md) (92), [*Ratatouille*](https://film.one/film/ratatouille.md) (91), [*Toy Story 2*](https://film.one/film/toy-story-2.md) (89), [*Up*](https://film.one/film/up.md) (88), [*Toy Story 3*](https://film.one/film/toy-story-3.md) (87), [*Monsters, Inc.*](https://film.one/film/monsters-inc.md) (86), [*Onward*](https://film.one/film/onward.md) (74), [*Brave*](https://film.one/film/brave.md) (73) - **Apple TV:** [*Cheers*](https://film.one/tv/cheers.md) (88) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on John Ratzenberger > John Ratzenberger gives know-it-alls a dry conviction that makes them funny without making them unbearable. We value him most in an ensemble, where his New England voice can establish a character without demanding that the film stop for him. John Ratzenberger delivers unsolicited advice as though withholding it would be irresponsible. The New England accent and deadpan delivery help: he gives the opinionated man enough conviction to be funny without asking us to approve of him. Cliff Clavin, the know-it-all mailman in *Cheers* (1982–1993), established that familiar figure. Ratzenberger proposed the character during his audition, an improviser's solution that also says something about his appeal. He gives his fellow performers an opinionated man to disagree with. With Hamm in *Toy Story* (1995), his first Pixar role, that assurance found a place among toys with plenty of opinions of their own. John Lasseter's film makes awkward characters worth caring about, and Ratzenberger's dry delivery suits that company. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen supply the quarrelling voices at the centre; Hamm adds another distinct personality without requiring the story to become his. We rate the film highly for its wit and the care it takes with this difficult company. Randy Newman's music occasionally presses harder than those voices need. That restraint also serves *Toy Story 2* (1999), in which he returns as Hamm. We were moved by the toys' fear of being forgotten; the film takes it seriously without giving up on being funny. Ratzenberger's matter-of-fact delivery fits that approach, giving us a comic personality who does not need to announce every joke. A few action passages feel dutiful, but the ensemble remains worth spending time with. Pixar kept finding uses for him, from P.T. Flea in *A Bug's Life* (1998) to Hamm again in *Toy Story 3* (2010). Across his Pixar work, many appearances are small or cameo parts. There is a limit to the pleasure of recognising a voice, though, and familiarity alone cannot make a character interesting. We prefer him when that certainty gives the other characters something to answer, rather than merely giving us a familiar name to identify. Start with the first two *Toy Story* films, where the ensemble gives him something worth joining. ## Biography John Ratzenberger is an American actor and voice actor. He is best known for playing Cliff Clavin on the television series *Cheers* (1982–1993), a role that earned him two Primetime Emmy nominations. Ratzenberger began his career with minor roles in film and television in the late 1970s and early 1980s after spending time in London. His voice work for Pixar began with Hamm in *Toy Story* (1995); he has since voiced characters in numerous Pixar features, including *The Incredibles* (2004), *Up* (2009) and *Inside Out* (2015). He also appeared as Major Derlin in *The Empire Strikes Back* (1980) and hosted the documentary series *Made in America* (2004–2008). *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (28) ### Performed in (27) — the average rests on these - *Ray Gunn* (2026), Fi1m 64, as (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/ray-gunn.md) - *Toy Story 5* (2026), Fi1m 66, as Hamm (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story-5.md) - *Inside Out 2* (2024), Fi1m 68, as Fritz (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/inside-out-2.md) - *Poker Face* (2023), Fi1m 82, as Abe — [page](https://film.one/tv/poker-face.md) - *Onward* (2020), Fi1m 74, as Construction Worker Fennwick (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/onward.md) - *Toy Story 4* (2019), Fi1m 78, as Hamm (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story-4.md) - *Incredibles 2* (2018), Fi1m 80, as Underminer (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/incredibles-2.md) - *Cars 3* (2017), Fi1m 58, as Mack (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/cars-3.md) - *Coco* (2017), Fi1m 84, as Juan Ortodoncia (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/coco.md) - *Finding Dory* (2016), Fi1m 68, as Husband Crab (Bill) (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/finding-dory.md) - *Inside Out* (2015), Fi1m 87, as Fritz (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/inside-out.md) - *Monsters University* (2013), Fi1m 72, as Yeti (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/monsters-university.md) - *Brave* (2012), Fi1m 73, as Gordon (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/brave.md) - *Toy Story 3* (2010), Fi1m 87, as Hamm (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story-3.md) - *Up* (2009), Fi1m 88, as Construction Foreman Tom (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/up.md) - *WALL·E* (2008), Fi1m 92, as John (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/walle.md) - *Ratatouille* (2007), Fi1m 91, as Mustafa (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/ratatouille.md) - *The Incredibles* (2004), Fi1m 88, as Underminer (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-incredibles.md) - *Finding Nemo* (2003), Fi1m 85, as Fish School (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/finding-nemo.md) - *Monsters, Inc.* (2001), Fi1m 86, as Yeti (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/monsters-inc.md) - *Toy Story 2* (1999), Fi1m 89, as Hamm (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story-2.md) - *A Bug's Life* (1998), Fi1m 73, as P.T. Flea (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/a-bugs-life.md) - *Toy Story* (1995), Fi1m 92, as Hamm (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story.md) - *The Falcon and the Snowman* (1985), Fi1m 54, as Detective — [page](https://film.one/film/the-falcon-and-the-snowman.md) - *Firefox* (1982), Fi1m 47, as Chief Peck — [page](https://film.one/film/firefox.md) - *Superman II* (1980), Fi1m 74, as Controller — [page](https://film.one/film/superman-ii.md) - *The Empire Strikes Back* (1980), Fi1m 92, as Major Derlin — [page](https://film.one/film/the-empire-strikes-back.md) ### Directed (1) - *Cheers* (1982), Fi1m 88, as Cliff Clavin — [page](https://film.one/tv/cheers.md) ## Complete filmography (164) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Ray Gunn* (2026), as (voice) — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/ray-gunn.md) - *Toy Story 5* (2026), as Hamm (voice) — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story-5.md) - *Swapped* (2026), as Elder Javan (voice) - *Tapawingo* (2025), as Tom Roan - *Spellbound* (2024), as Milo The Monster Handler (voice) - *WondLa* (2024), series, as Caruncle (voice) - *Inside Out 2* (2024), as Fritz (voice) — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/inside-out-2.md) - *Poker Face* (2023), series, as Abe — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/poker-face.md) - *Luck* (2022), as Rootie (voice) - *Monsters at Work* (2021), series, as Yeti (voice), Adorable (voice), Adorable / Bernard (voice), Bernard (voice), Bernard / Arodable (voice) - *Onward* (2020), as Construction Worker Fennwick (voice) — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/onward.md) - *Miracle in East Texas* (2020), as Dad Everett - *Forky Asks a Question: What Is a Friend?* (2019), as Hamm (voice) - *Forky Asks a Question: What Is Money?* (2019), as Hamm (voice) - *Forky Asks a Question* (2019), series, as Hamm (voice) - *Bob Hearts Abishola* (2019), series, as Hank - *Toy Story 4* (2019), as Hamm (voice) — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story-4.md) - *Just Roll with It* (2019), series, as George Bennett - *Project: Puppies for Christmas* (2019), as Daniel Nilwater - *Incredibles 2* (2018), as Underminer (voice) — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/incredibles-2.md) - *Pup Star: World Tour* (2018), as Grandpa Growl (voice) - *Shifting Gears* (2018), as Conrad Baines - *Coco* (2017), as Juan Ortodoncia (voice) — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/coco.md) - *Pup Star: Better 2Gether* (2017), as Salty (voice) - *Cars 3* (2017), as Mack (voice) — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/cars-3.md) - *Pup Star* (2016), as Mutt (voice) - *LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures* (2016), series, as Major Derlin (voice) - *Finding Dory* (2016), as Husband Crab (Bill) (voice) — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/finding-dory.md) - *Change of Heart* (2016), as Dr. Charles Burke - *Monkey Up* (2016), as Mr. Hartz - *The Good Dinosaur* (2015), as Earl (voice) - *Inside Out* (2015), as Fritz (voice) — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/inside-out.md) - *Russell Madness* (2015), as Mick Vaughn - *The Santa Con* (2014), as Warden - *How Murray Saved Christmas* (2014), as Officer Bender (voice) - *A Christmas Mystery* (2014), as Logan Walker - *Planes: Fire & Rescue* (2014), as Brodi (voice) - *Grace of God* (2014), as Reverend Thomas - *In The Name of God* (2013), as Reverend Thomas - *The Goldbergs* (2013), series, as Digby Yates - *Mom* (2013), series, as Stan - *Planes* (2013), as Harland (voice) - *Super Buddies* (2013), as Marvin 'Gramps' Livingstone - *Monsters University* (2013), as Yeti (voice) — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/monsters-university.md) - *Legit* (2013), series, as Walter Nugent, Walter - *Matchmaker Santa* (2012), as George - *Partysaurus Rex* (2012), as Hamm (voice) - *Brave* (2012), as Gordon (voice) — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/brave.md) - *WWJD II: The Woodcarver* (2012), as Ernest Otto - *Fixing Pete* (2012), as Clayton - *Local Commercial* (2012), as Earl T. Barnum - *Small Fry* (2011), as Hamm (voice) - *Hawaiian Vacation* (2011), as Hamm (voice) - *Cars 2* (2011), as Mack (voice) - *Franklin & Bash* (2011), series, as Judge Elliot Reid - *Fish Hooks* (2010), series, as Wilford (voice) - *What if...* (2010), as Mike the Angel - *Toy Story 3* (2010), as Hamm (voice) — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story-3.md) - *Buzz Lightyear Mission Logs* (2010), series, as Hamm (voice) - *Drop Dead Diva* (2009), series, as Larry Kaswell - *Up* (2009), as Construction Foreman Tom (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/up.md) - *Our First Christmas* (2008), as Joe Noll - *WALL·E* (2008), as John (voice) — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/walle.md) - *The Village Barbershop* (2008), as Art Leroldi - *Your Friend the Rat* (2007), as P.T. Flea (voice) (uncredited) - *The Pixar Story* (2007), as Yeti (voice) (archive footage) - *Ratatouille* (2007), as Mustafa (voice) — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/ratatouille.md) - *Geared-Up* (2006), Actor - *Mystery Woman: Redemption* (2006), as Jim Carter - *Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut* (2006), as Controller #1 - *Cars* (2006), as Mack / Hamm Truck / Abominable Snow Plow / P.T. Flea Car (voice) - *Something New* (2006), as Brian's Father (uncredited) - *Bones* (2005), series, as Bill Schumacher — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/bones.md) - *The Incredibles* (2004), as Underminer (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/the-incredibles.md) - *Rodney* (2004), series, as John Ratzenberger - *John Ratzenberger's Made in America* (2004), series, Actor - *Finding Nemo* (2003), as Fish School (voice) — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/finding-nemo.md) - *8 Simple Rules* (2002), series, as Fred - *The Pennsylvania Miners' Story* (2002), as Thomas 'Tucker' Foy - *Monsters, Inc.* (2001), as Yeti (voice) — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/monsters-inc.md) - *Determination of Death* (2001), as Charlie Halloran - *Disney Through The Decades* (2001), Actor - *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Stu Kirchoff - *Tick Tock* (2000), as Clay Fairfield, P.I. - *Pigs Next Door* (2000), series, as Ike Stump (voice) - *Toy Story 2* (1999), as Hamm (voice) — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story-2.md) - *A Fare to Remember* (1999), as Mickey - *A Bug's Life* (1998), as P.T. Flea (voice) — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/a-bugs-life.md) - *That '70s Show* (1998), series, as Glen - *Monty Python: Live at Aspen* (1998), as Audience Member (uncredited) - *One Night Stand* (1997), as Phil - *The Wonderful World of Disney* (1997), series, Actor - *Under Pressure* (1997), as Al Calavito - *Dog's Best Friend* (1997), as Goat (voice) - *That Darn Cat* (1997), as Dusty - *Tiny Toy Stories* (1996), as Hamm (voice) - *Sabrina, the Teenage Witch* (1996), series, as Bob - *Pearl* (1996), series, Director - *Remember WENN* (1996), series, as Mr. Abernathy - *Toy Story Treats* (1996), series, as Hamm (Voice) - *Toy Story* (1995), as Hamm (voice) — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story.md) - *Caroline in the City* (1995), series, as Mr. Berman - *Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child* (1995), series, as Hinky (voice) - *Madman of the People* (1994), series, Director - *Touched by an Angel* (1994), series, as Merl - *Sister, Sister* (1994), series, as Gus Kilamilikimaka · Director - *Frasier* (1993), series, as Cliff Clavin — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md) - *Camp Cucamonga* (1990), as Marvin Schector - *Evening Shade* (1990), series, Director - *Captain Planet and the Planeteers* (1990), series, as Rigger (voice) - *Blossom* (1990), series, Actor - *Disneyland's 35th Anniversary Celebration* (1990), as Cliff Clavin - *The Earth Day Special* (1990), as Cliff Clavin - *Wings* (1990), series, as Cliff Clavin - *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Cliff Clavin / CGI Homer Simpson (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md) - *Mickey's 60th Birthday* (1988), as Cliff Clavin - *Going to the Chapel* (1988), as Walt Caruso - *She's Having a Baby* (1988), as John Ratzenberger (uncredited) - *Small World* (1988), series, as Morris Zapp - *House II: The Second Story* (1987), as Bill - *Timestalkers* (1987), as General Joe Brodsky - *The Tortellis* (1987), series, as Cliff Clavin - *Combat Academy* (1986), as Mr. Barnett - *The Falcon and the Snowman* (1985), as Detective — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/the-falcon-and-the-snowman.md) - *Protocol* (1984), as Security Guard on TV - *Right of Way* (1983), as Policeman - *Likely Stories, Vol. 4* (1983), as Jersey Cop #2 - *Wizards and Warriors* (1983), series, Actor - *Gandhi* (1982), as American Lieutenant — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/gandhi.md) - *St. Elsewhere* (1982), series, as Cliff Clavin — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/st-elsewhere.md) - *Cheers* (1982), series, as Cliff Clavin · Director — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/cheers.md) - *Firefox* (1982), as Chief Peck — Fi1m 47, [page](https://film.one/film/firefox.md) - *Rating Notman* (1982), Actor - *Battletruck* (1982), as Rusty - *Reds* (1981), as Communist Leader (uncredited) — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/reds.md) - *Ragtime* (1981), as Policeman - *Goliath Awaits* (1981), series, as Bill Sweeney - *Code Red* (1981), series, Actor - *Outland* (1981), as Tarlow - *Private Schulz* (1981), series, as American Newsreel Commentator (voice, uncredited) - *The Good Soldier* (1981), as Jimmy - *Hill Street Blues* (1981), series, as Phony Cop — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/hill-street-blues.md) - *Magnum, P.I.* (1980), series, as Walt Brewster - *Superman II* (1980), as Controller — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/superman-ii.md) - *Motel Hell* (1980), as Drummer - *The Empire Strikes Back* (1980), as Major Derlin — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/the-empire-strikes-back.md) - *The Bitch* (1979), as Hal Leonard - *Yanks* (1979), as Cpl Cook - *Arabian Adventure* (1979), as Achmed - *Hanover Street* (1979), as Sgt. John Lucas - *Superman* (1978), as 1st Controller - *Warlords of Atlantis* (1978), as Fenn - *Life at Stake* (1978), series, as Vance Brand - *Valentino* (1977), as Newshound - *Secret Army* (1977), series, as Staff Sergeant Dexter - *A Bridge Too Far* (1977), as U.S. Lieutenant - *Twilight's Last Gleaming* (1977), as Sgt. Kopecki - *The Ritz* (1976), as Patron - *ITV Playhouse* (1967), series, as Tom Phillips · Writer - *The Wonderful World of Disney* (1954), series, as Cliff Clavin - *Untitled Jack and the Beanstalk Film*, as (voice) - *Cars: Lightning Racers*, series, as Mack (voice) - *Toy Story 6*, as Hamm (voice) - *Titleist: Made in America*, Actor ## Gallery - ![John Ratzenberger](https://film.one/media/person/86010/gallery-e776eef88e69.jpg) John Ratzenberger — David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/58/John_Ratzenberger_2011_Shankbone.JPG/1280px-John_Ratzenberger_2011_Shankbone.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![John Ratzenberger](https://film.one/media/person/86010/gallery-809548294b02.jpg) John Ratzenberger — Image via TMDB - ![John Ratzenberger](https://film.one/media/person/86010/gallery-7fa570e1b094.jpg) John Ratzenberger — Image via TMDB - ![John Ratzenberger](https://film.one/media/person/86010/gallery-ac740c29ab5e.jpg) John Ratzenberger — Image via TMDB - ![John Ratzenberger](https://film.one/media/person/86010/gallery-d73b11f9d438.jpg) John Ratzenberger — Image via TMDB - ![John Ratzenberger](https://film.one/media/person/86010/gallery-bbdf1d2244db.jpg) John Ratzenberger — Image via TMDB - ![John Ratzenberger](https://film.one/media/person/86010/gallery-23a53d8afbb7.jpg) John Ratzenberger — Image via TMDB --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/john-ratzenberger