John Ratzenberger, who became a household name with his portrayal of Cliff Clavin on the long-running hit show "Cheers," will be awarded the 2008 Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival Career Achievement Award at the opening of the prestigious film festival. Ratzenberger will receive the award on October 17 at the Miniaci Performing Arts Center.

Although most fans recognize Ratzenberger as the all-knowing Cliff, his career began in the '70s and includes directing, voiceover work and even a run on "Dancing with the Stars" as a celebrity dancer.

Born in 1947 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, his career began when he formed the improv theatre duo "Sal's Meat Market," which performed throughout Europe for 634 straight performances. During that period, Ratzenberger was also a producer/writer for the BBC, Paravision, Royal Court Theater, Hampstead Theater Club, Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, and Granada TV.

His movie career includes "The Ritz," "Gandhi," "The Empire Strikes Back," "Determination of Death," "Superman 1 & 2," "One Night Stand," "Tick Tock," "That Darn Cat," "She's Having a Baby," "Protocol," "The Falcon and the Snowman," "Ragtime," "Reds," "Outland," "Yanks" and "A Bridge Too Far."

In 1982, while writing for CBS, he auditioned for a role on the upcoming "Cheers." At the time the character of the postman did not exist. "Do you have a bar know-it-all?" he asked the creators. They didn't know what that meant, so Ratzenberger gave them five hilarious minutes of improv, demonstrating exactly what it meant. Thus was born the lovable postman and trivia king, Cliff Clavin-American icon.

Ratzenberger is also an accomplished vocal talent, and is the only actor to voice a role in all of the Pixar films: the witty Hamm the piggy bank in "Toy Story" 1, 2 (and soon) 3; P.T. Flea, the excitable ringmaster in "Bug's Life;" the lovable snow monster Yeti in "Monsters, Inc;" the ever-changing school of Moonfish in "Finding Nemo;" the philosophical character Underminer in "The Incredibles;" as a Mac-truck in "Cars;" as Mustafa, the head waiter in "Ratatouille;" as John, a human in "WALL-E."

In addition to appearing in dozens of TV movies and TV shows, Ratzenberger also executive produced and created "The World's Most Incredible Animal Rescues." He integrated life and art in "American Hobbies and Pastimes with John Ratzenberger" and he also executive produced "And Now You Know" (1995), about "people who know how to fix things."

The FLIFF will honor the multi-talented Ratzenberger on Friday, October 17 prior to the opening of the film festival.