The Unsolved Mystery Of The Mailman's Name On Cheers: The Full Clifford C. Clavin, Jr. Story

The mailman on Cheers, Cliff Clavin, is arguably one of the most recognizable and quotable characters in television history, yet the full, official version of his name remains a source of curiosity for fans decades after the show concluded. As of December 2025, the definitive answer to the question "What is the mailman's name on Cheers?" is a simple, yet detailed, Clifford C. Clavin, Jr., a name that perfectly suits the "know-it-all" Boston barfly. This article dives into the complete biography of the man behind the postal uniform, the actor who created him, and the enduring mystery of the single letter that continues to baffle Cheers enthusiasts.

The character, famous for his endless supply of questionable trivia and unwavering pride in the U.S. Postal Service, was not even in the original pilot script, making his full name reveal all the more significant. Actor John Ratzenberger’s quick thinking during his audition is what ultimately gave the world Clifford C. Clavin, Jr., and secured his place at the bar for 11 seasons alongside Norm Peterson, Sam Malone, and Carla Tortelli.

John Ratzenberger: The Man Who Became Cliff Clavin

The brilliance of Cliff Clavin lies in the performance of the versatile actor who played him, John Ratzenberger. Ratzenberger is one of the most successful character actors in Hollywood, known not only for his live-action roles but also for his extensive voice work.

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Complete Biography of John Dezso Ratzenberger

• Full Name: John Dezso Ratzenberger
• Born: April 6, 1947
• Birthplace: Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.
• Known For: Playing Cliff Clavin on Cheers (1982–1993)
• Career Highlight (Voice Acting): He is the only actor to have voiced a character in every single Pixar feature film, including Hamm the Piggy Bank in the Toy Story franchise and the Abominable Snowman in Monsters, Inc.
• Early Career: Before landing the role on Cheers, Ratzenberger worked as a house framer and a performer in the United Kingdom.
• Character Creation: The role of Cliff Clavin was created on the spot during Ratzenberger's audition for a different, smaller role. He asked the producers if they had a "bar know-it-all" and pitched the mailman character, securing his place in television history.

The Full Name Revealed: Clifford C. Clavin, Jr.

While most characters simply call him "Cliff," the series did, on multiple occasions, confirm the mailman's full and proper name. The use of the "Jr." suffix is a key detail that speaks volumes about his relationship with his mother, Esther Clavin, and his absent father.

What Does the Full Name Signify?

The mailman's full name is Clifford C. Clavin, Jr.. This formal designation is often overlooked by casual viewers but is vital to understanding the character's background and his constant need to prove his intelligence to the other bar patrons. The "Jr." confirms he is the second in his family to bear the name, suggesting a lineage that he attempts to uphold through his endless, and often inaccurate, trivia.

• First Name: Clifford
• Middle Initial: C.
• Suffix: Junior (Jr.)

The character's mother, Esther Clavin (played by Frances Sternhagen), is a recurring and highly important entity in Cliff's life. She often refers to him formally, reinforcing the idea of a mother-son relationship where Cliff is perpetually a child living at home, even as an adult U.S. Postal Service employee in Boston, Massachusetts.

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The Enduring Mystery of the 'C'

Despite the show's 11-season run and the deep dive into the lives of the Cheers regulars, the full word that the middle initial 'C' stands for has never been definitively and explicitly revealed on-screen or in official production notes. This is a deliberate, fun piece of trivia that the show’s writers left for fans to ponder, much like the question of Norm Peterson’s employment status.

The Famous Jeopardy! Episode

The closest the series ever came to a full name reveal—and arguably the most famous episode involving Cliff’s name—is the Season 8 episode, "What Is... Cliff Clavin?". In this classic 1990 episode, Cliff fulfills his dream of appearing as a contestant on the game show Jeopardy!, hosted by the legendary Alex Trebek.

While the episode does not reveal the full middle name, it is a pivotal moment for the character, showcasing his trivia obsession and his ultimate failure when he bets everything on "What is..." an incorrect answer. The categories he excels at, such as "Stamps" and "U.S. Postal Service," highlight his professional pride and the central entity of his career.

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LSI Entities and Topical Authority: Cliff's World

To fully understand the character of Clifford C. Clavin, Jr., you must appreciate the other key entities and relationships that define his life and his name:

• Norm Peterson: Cliff's best friend and fellow barfly. Their dynamic is central to the show's humor, with Norm often being the reluctant audience for Cliff's endless trivia.
• U.S. Postal Service: Cliff's job is his identity. His postal worker uniform is his signature look, and he takes immense, often defensive, pride in his work, even in the face of the other patrons' jokes.
• Esther Clavin (Ma Clavin): Cliff's overbearing mother, with whom he lives throughout the series. Their relationship is a key source of his social awkwardness and reliance on the bar as a social outlet.
• The Trivia: Cliff's constant barrage of "little-known facts" are a key characteristic, often turning the bar into a bizarre classroom. This is the essence of his "know-it-all" persona.

In the end, whether the 'C' stands for Charles, Chester, or something entirely different, the name Clifford C. Clavin, Jr. is permanently etched into pop culture. It represents the quintessential bar regular: the man who has a name, a job, and a whole lot of opinions, making him a timeless icon of the classic sitcom era.