Ratzenberger reunited to say goodbye to the iconic bar that served as the backdrop for so many memorable moments.
In the 1982–1993 television series Cheers, Wendt, and Ratzenberger were portrayed by Norm Peterson and Cliff Clavin.
The cast of Cheers raises a final glass to the past.
Thirty years after filming the last episode of the popular NBC comedy, George Wendt and John Ratzenberger, who played Norm Peterson and Cliff Clavin, reunite to bid farewell to the legendary pub, which is now up for auction in Dallas.
As part of the James Comisar Heritage Auction collection, the bar—the actual physical structure—is up for grabs to the highest bidder. Includes “back bar unit”, “three section bar with brass rail” and “wine leather bar stools”.
Wendt, 74, expressed his excitement about visiting the prop before it is transferred to new owners on news channel WHDH 7. “It was fantastic, so great to see the bar,” he said.
The pub has signatures from various cast members, as well as woodcuts, created decades ago by Ratzenberger, 76, and fellow star Kirstie Alley. (Alley won a Golden Globe and an Emmy for her portrayal of the female lead, Rebecca Howe.)
The bar is part of a broader auction that includes around 1,000 items from some of the most iconic TV programs ever produced, including Gunsmoke, I Love Lucy, Star Trek, The Office, Mad Men, Breaking Bad, and All in the Family.
Ratzenberger stated, “Preserving this and the Archie Bunker file, that’s the main thing. Because all these things are part of our existence, “it’s a really big deal.”
The Bull and Finch Pub in Boston served as the inspiration for the actual set of Cheers. The sitcom, which ran on NBC from 1982 to 1993, featured Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Woody Harrelson, Rhea Perlman, and Nicholas Colasanto and chronicled people who visited the area.
The cast is still communicating, according to Wendt, who admitted to WHDH 7 that “we’re picking each other up. It’s not very easy. Getting us all together is like trying to herd kittens.”
We went through a difficult time when my father was dying and the only joy in his life was watching your show, I still get many thank you messages. Ratzenberger spoke to WHDH 7. That’s why it meant a lot to witness because it meant a lot.
According to WHDH 7, the bar is just one of the pieces for sale, along with memorabilia from other TV shows, including The Tonight Show, Mad Men, and Breaking Bad.
The online auction, now underway, will end in Dallas between June 2nd and 4th.
Ratzenberger shared touching stories of how Cheers brought joy to people during difficult times and provided a source of comfort and laughter. The show’s lasting legacy is a testament to its ability to touch the lives of countless individuals.