John started 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, the mother of Meg Ryan. A mutual friend, also associated with The Downtown Cabaret, was the daughter-in-law of actress Mabel Albertson, the sister of actor Jack Albertson.

Ratzenberger is going to the Supreme Court with "Cheers" (1982) co-star George Wendt to get control of their characters (Cliff and Norm). Their characters 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. [Late 2000]

Only "Cheers" (1982) 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 Animation's feature films: as Hamm in Toy Story (1995); PT Flea in A Bug's Life (1998); Hamm again in Toy Story 2 (1999); the Abonimable Snowman in Monsters, Inc. (2001); Fish School in Finding Nemo (2003); Underminer in The Incredibles (2004); Mack in Cars (2006) and Mustafa in Ratatouille (2007).

Was buried alive up to his neck in Motel Hell (1980), same as his "Cheers" (1982) co-star Ted Danson was in Creepshow (1982).

Holds a Red Belt in karate.

He does not, as believed, play the bagpipes but in fact plays snare drum for a pipe band called "Gold Coast Pipe Band" in which he was a founding member.

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" (1982).

Helped form and organize an improvisational comedy troupe called "Sal's Meat Market" in 1971.

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 (1980) 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.): "Cheers" (1982), "St. Elsewhere" (1982), "The Tortellis" (1987), "Wings" (1990), "The Simpsons" (1989) and "Frasier" (1993). He has appeared in episodes of all six series with George Wendt.

His speaking role in Richard Attenborough's Gandhi (1982), was dubbed by Martin Sheen. Later Ratzenberger of course went on to become a trademark voice for Pixar Studios.

Has two children named James John b. 1987 and Nina Katherine b. 1989.

Mr. Ratzenberger has written a book with Joel Engel titled "We've Got it Made in America: A Common Man's Guide to an Uncommon Country.".

Mr. Ratzenberger recently started the Nuts, Bolts and Thingamajigs Foundation, whose mission is to "Give children tools and watch them build America.".

Engaged to Lindsay McGrail.