The $60 Million Secret: Inside Rhea Perlman's Unconventional Marriage And Her 2025 Netflix Comeback

Rhea Perlman, the legendary four-time Emmy-winning actress best known globally as the fiery, quick-witted waitress Carla Tortelli on the iconic sitcom Cheers, continues to captivate audiences with her enduring career and famously unconventional personal life. As of late 2025, the veteran performer is not slowing down, securing a major role in a highly anticipated new Netflix series and offering fresh, candid insights into her unique relationship with estranged husband, actor Danny DeVito.

The Brooklyn-born star has cemented her status as one of Hollywood's most recognizable character actors, consistently balancing her legacy roles with a steady stream of acclaimed new projects. From a small but memorable part in the blockbuster film Barbie to a leading role in a new Lena Dunham comedy, Perlman's recent work proves her staying power in an ever-changing industry, maintaining a career that spans over five decades.

Rhea Perlman: A Complete Biography and Profile

Rhea Jo Perlman was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and her illustrious career has seen her transition from off-Broadway theatre to becoming one of the most celebrated figures in television history. Her professional and personal life, particularly her long-standing relationship with Danny DeVito, remains a source of public fascination.

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• Full Name: Rhea Jo Perlman
• Date of Birth: March 31, 1948
• Age (as of late 2025): 77
• Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
• Spouse: Danny DeVito (Married 1982, Separated 2012)
• Children: Lucy DeVito, Grace DeVito, Jacob DeVito
• Education: Hunter College (B.A. in Drama)
• Notable Roles: Carla Tortelli (Cheers), Zena (Taxi), Mrs. Wormwood (Matilda), Ruth Handler (Barbie)
• Awards: Four Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (all for Cheers) and six Golden Globe nominations.
• Estimated Net Worth (2025): $60 Million

The Enduring Legacy of Carla Tortelli and Cheers

Rhea Perlman’s career-defining role came in 1982 when she was cast as Carla Tortelli, the sharp-tongued, no-nonsense waitress at the Boston bar Cheers. The show, which ran for eleven seasons until 1993, became a cultural phenomenon, and Carla was a vital component of its success. Perlman’s performance was so critically acclaimed that she was nominated for ten Primetime Emmy Awards for the role, winning four times, an impressive feat that solidified her place in TV history.

Carla Tortelli was an abrasive yet deeply loyal character, a working-class single mother whose constant insults masked a genuine affection for her co-workers, including Ted Danson’s Sam Malone and George Wendt’s Norm Peterson. The chemistry between Perlman and the ensemble cast, including Shelley Long and later Kirstie Alley, was the backbone of the show. Even decades later, the character remains the benchmark for the "sassy waitress" trope in television comedy.

Rhea Perlman’s High-Profile Projects: From Barbie to Netflix

Unlike many television stars who struggle to find success after a long-running sitcom, Rhea Perlman has maintained a consistent and diverse career in film and television, with a notable resurgence in high-profile projects in the 2020s. Her recent filmography demonstrates a deliberate choice of roles that are often quirky, maternal, or surprisingly pivotal.

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In 2023, Perlman appeared in two major films. She played a small but significant role in the Netflix comedy You People, starring Eddie Murphy and Jonah Hill. More notably, she was cast in Greta Gerwig’s cultural blockbuster, Barbie. Perlman portrayed Ruth Handler, the real-life creator of the Barbie doll, a role that appeared briefly but carried immense emotional weight, positioning her at the heart of the film's message about creation and legacy.

She also starred in the 2022 Netflix musical 13: The Musical, showcasing her versatility. The actress has also made memorable appearances on prestige television, including a guest role in the second season of Rian Johnson’s critically praised mystery series, Poker Face, demonstrating her appeal across different genres.

The Anticipated 2025/2026 Project: Lena Dunham’s 'Too Much'

The most current and highly anticipated project for Rhea Perlman is the new Netflix comedy series, Too Much, which is expected to premiere in late 2025 or 2026. This series is created by Lena Dunham, the acclaimed writer and director behind Girls, marking a significant collaboration for Perlman in the streaming era.

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In Too Much, Perlman takes on a "grandma role," playing the grandmother of the main character, a New York workaholic who moves to London. The role is described as a key part of the show’s exploration of modern relationships and generational differences. This project, alongside her daughter Lucy DeVito’s own burgeoning acting career (with whom she has appeared in stage productions like Love, Loss and What I Wore), highlights a continued focus on family and generational storytelling in her later career.

The Unconventional Marriage: Rhea Perlman and Danny DeVito Today

Perhaps the most compelling and consistently talked-about aspect of Rhea Perlman’s private life is her unique, decades-long relationship with her husband, actor and director Danny DeVito. The couple met in 1971, married in 1982, and became one of Hollywood's most beloved and enduring power couples, often collaborating on projects like the 1996 film Matilda, which DeVito directed and co-starred in, with Perlman playing the villainous Mrs. Wormwood.

In 2012, after 40 years together and 30 years of marriage, they announced their separation. However, in a fascinating twist that has endured for over a decade, the couple never legally divorced. This unconventional arrangement has been a topic of frequent discussion, and Perlman has offered fresh details on its status in recent interviews.

"We Are Still Married"

Speaking candidly on the *Wiser Than Me* podcast, and in other interviews as recently as 2025, Perlman confirmed that she and Danny DeVito remain legally married. They have maintained a close, loving relationship, prioritizing their family and friendship over the traditional structure of marriage. She has openly stated that she has no intention of ever divorcing him.

The pair, who share three children—Lucy, Grace, and Jacob DeVito—continue to speak regularly and share a deep, unbreakable bond. While they no longer live together, their commitment to each other as partners and parents is unwavering. This unique relationship status offers a modern, non-traditional take on marriage, proving that a legal document is secondary to the emotional connection they share. DeVito himself has echoed this sentiment, confirming that they are "still together" in spirit, even if they are physically separated.

Rhea Perlman's career is a masterclass in longevity and versatility. From the iconic barstool of *Cheers* to the fantastical world of *Barbie* and the cutting-edge comedy of *Too Much*, she consistently reinvents herself while remaining true to the powerful, grounded presence that made Carla Tortelli a household name. Her $60 million net worth is a testament to her success, but her enduring, non-traditional partnership with Danny DeVito is perhaps her most unique and inspiring legacy.