Philip Perlman didn’t become an actor until he retired working in the toy industry, according to The Hollywood Reporter. His first acting credit saw him appear on “Hill Street Blues” in 1982, and he continued to act in movies throughout the 1980s and 1990s. And, of course, he was a fixture on “Cheers.”
As Phil, one of Cheers’ regular barflies, Philip Perlman could often be seen tipping back a glass of beer in the background of a scene. He visited the Boston bar 142 times, making him one of the background characters with the most appearances. He was primarily an extra, but after Al Rosen’s death, he took over delivering zingers to the other characters. While his character was memorable, Philip Perlman’s work on the show was likely more significant to the actor than some viewers may realize: His daughter Rhea Perlman played Carla Tortelli throughout the series, which meant he was able to work alongside her for much of that time. In a 2016 tribute special to James Burrows, Rhea lovingly recalled one scene in particular: “I got to throw water in my father’s face.”
Philip died at the age of 95 on April 29, 2015. Following his passing, his other daughter, Heide Perlman, told The Hollywood Reporter, “He had a unique acting style; he was completely unschooled. We put together a reel of all his performances for his 90th birthday, and he really had great timing. He was extremely natural.”
