Rhea Perlman: Relationship, Ethnicity, and Career Facts

There’s something about a couple who stays connected even after separating—it’s rare, but Rhea Perlman and Danny DeVito have managed it. This article walks through the key facts of her life, her career, and the relationship that has fascinated fans for decades.

Birthdate: March 31, 1948 ·
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA ·
Notable Role: Carla Tortelli on Cheers ·
Spouse: Danny DeVito (1982–2017, separated) ·
Children: 3 ·
Emmy Awards: 4

Eight key facts at a glance, one pattern: Rhea Perlman’s life is a mix of on-screen success and off-screen continuity with the man she met in 1971.

Are Danny and Rhea still together?

Current marital status of Rhea Perlman

Rhea Perlman and Danny DeVito separated in 2017 but have not finalized a divorce. As of 2025, they remain legally married. The couple announced their separation in October 2012 after about 30 years of marriage, then reconciled in March 2013 before separating again four years later, according to People (celebrity news outlet). In a 2023 interview with ABC News (US broadcast network), Perlman described their relationship as having a “pretty decent understanding” despite the separation.

Rhea Perlman and Danny DeVito’s living arrangements

The couple has been living separately since 2017, but they continue to co-parent their three children and attend family events together. FOX News (US news network) reported in 2024 that they have found a way to make their marriage work despite living apart, maintaining a close friendship and mutual support.

What ethnicity is Rhea Perlman?

Rhea Perlman’s ancestry and heritage

Rhea Perlman is of Jewish descent. Her grandparents were Jewish immigrants from Poland and Russia, as detailed by Britannica (encyclopedia reference). She was raised in a Jewish household in Brooklyn, New York, where her father, Philip Perlman, worked as a businessman. Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia) confirms that her mother Adele was a homemaker and that the family identified strongly with their Jewish heritage.

Cultural background of the Perlman family

Growing up in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn, Perlman attended public schools and later earned a degree from Hunter College. Her cultural background has shaped her identity, though she has not publicly discussed her religious practice in recent years. The HELLO! (international lifestyle magazine) notes that she often speaks warmly of her upbringing.

Why did Rhea Perlman and Danny DeVito split?

Official statements about the separation

Neither Perlman nor DeVito has issued a detailed public statement about the reasons behind their separation. The couple cited “irreconcilable differences” in their 2012 announcement, but both have emphasized that there was no infidelity or scandal. People (celebrity news outlet) reported that the split was amicable and that they remained friendly.

Factors contributing to the split

While the exact factors remain private, many sources point to the natural evolution of a decades-long relationship. Britannica (encyclopedia reference) notes that the couple reconciled briefly in 2013, suggesting an attempt to work through challenges. The most likely explanation, based on their own words, is that they simply grew apart in their living arrangements but not in their love. Perlman herself told ABC News (US broadcast network) that they have a “pretty decent understanding” of each other’s needs.

Who was the love of Danny DeVito’s life?

Danny DeVito’s statements about his greatest love

Danny DeVito has repeatedly called Rhea Perlman the love of his life. In a 2023 interview with ABC News (US broadcast network), he said, “We’re still very much together in a different way. I love her.” He has described her as his best friend and the person who knows him best.

Rhea Perlman’s role in his life

Perlman has reciprocated the sentiment. In a 2022 podcast, she stated, “We are family. That never changes,” as reported by People (celebrity news outlet). Their bond, forged over 50 years since meeting in 1971, remains a central pillar of both their lives. Despite the separation, DeVito has made it clear that no other person has replaced Perlman in his heart.

What is Rhea Perlman’s most famous role?

Carla Tortelli on Cheers

Rhea Perlman is best known for playing Carla Tortelli, the sharp-tongued waitress on the NBC sitcom Cheers. She originated the role in 1982 and remained with the show for all 11 seasons, earning four Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. IMDb (film database) lists her credits, and Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia) notes that the role made her a household name.

Other notable film and TV appearances

Beyond Cheers, Perlman appeared in Matilda (1996) as Mrs. Wormwood, the neglectful mother of the title character. She also appeared in the 2023 blockbuster Barbie as a fictional version of Ruth Handler. Britannica (encyclopedia reference) highlights her range from comedy to drama, though her role as Carla remains the defining work of her career.

Timeline signal

• 1948: Rhea Perlman born in Brooklyn, New York. (Wikipedia)
• 1971: Meets Danny DeVito while both are in a production of The Shrinking Bride. (Britannica)
• 1982: Marries Danny DeVito; begins role as Carla Tortelli on Cheers. (IMDb)
• 1983-1987: Wins first four Emmy Awards for Cheers. (IMDb)
• 1993: Cheers ends after 11 seasons. (Wikipedia)
• 1996: Stars as Mrs. Wormwood in Matilda. (Wikipedia)
• 2017: Separates from Danny DeVito after 35 years of marriage. (People)
• 2023: Appears in Barbie; publicly discusses ongoing closeness with DeVito. (ABC News)

What’s clear and what’s not

Confirmed facts

• Rhea Perlman and Danny DeVito separated in 2017. (People)
• They have three children. (People)
• Rhea Perlman is of Jewish heritage. (Britannica)
• She won four Emmy Awards for Cheers. (IMDb)

What’s unclear

• Exact reasons for the split have not been publicly detailed by either party.
• Whether they will divorce legally is unknown.
• Danny DeVito’s current health status beyond his known conditions is not publicly documented.

“We’re still very much together in a different way. I love her.”

— Danny DeVito, interview with ABC News, 2023 (ABC News)

“We are family. That never changes.”

— Rhea Perlman, 2022 podcast interview (People)

Rhea Perlman and Danny DeVito have built a legacy that goes beyond their individual careers. Their relationship offers a rare example of grace in the face of change. The implication is clear: even when a marriage changes form, family endures.

Hennes separation från Danny DeVito 2017 avslutade ett fyra decennier långt äktenskap.

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