In 2013, John McEnroe filled in for Thomas, who was recovering from surgery. He boxed, wrestled, played football, and ran track. But he didn't consider himself lucky, and in fact, complained about Rhea while he was working on the show. He was a regular guest on "The Late Show with David Letterman.". 3.2M views. Michael Loccisano/Getty Images Sitcom veteran Jay Thomas, best known for his roles on Cheers and Murphy Brown, passed away on Thursday. Soon after, rather than being added as a cast member like Bebe Neuwirth (who also made recurring appearances in seasons 6 and 7 before being officially joining the cast in Season 8), Thomas was done for good. "I knew they were deciding [about] whether to add me or Bebe [Neuwirth] to the cast full-time, and I thought he was calling with good news. Long was a superstar on the program for years, but, ultimately, she was not long for the show as many expected when it first hit the small screen. The two-time Emmy winner most recently appeared on 'Ray Donovan' and spent many a Christmas season with David Letterman. He features legends about entertainment and sports at his website, Legends Revealed and other pop culture features at Pop Culture References. On the latter, his character winds up appearing in an ice show and gets killed by a Zamboni. By the way I used to ride the elevator with Jay as he was heading to his morning show at Power / Magic, whatever the hell it was. In addition, the actress denies the story, saying: That's not true. About that Lone Ranger story: Thomas was a radio host with big hair in Charlotte in the early 70s, and he and his producer offered to give Moore wearing his crime-fighter costume and mask for an appearance at a car dealership a ride to the airport. 'Mandalorian' Funko Pops up to 77% Off Baby Yoda and More for Season 3, Who Plays the Armorer in 'The Mandalorian'? He won two Emmy awards for portraying Jerry Gold on"Murphy Brown". I just don't see any reason for why Levine would make up such a story. 'The Mandalorian' Season 3 Episode Guide: How Many Episodes of 'Mandalorian' Will There Be on Disney+? 2:25 PM EDT, Fri August 25, 2017, Jay Thomas' Lone Ranger Story Letterman Dec 2014. Jay Thomas kissed and told too much Between 1987 and 1989, the late Jay Thomas played the recurring role of hockey player Eddie LeBec on the hit sitcom Cheers. In the same oral history, Levine claimed that Perlman was upset about Thomas' radio show comment. Burrows writes, "That was it. I have to kiss Rhea Perlman. Well, it may have stemmed from a radio spot by Thomas where he was asked to talk about his role on the show. '", Thomas explained of what he said on the radio show, "[Listeners] would go, 'What's it like to kiss Carla?' 2,911, This story has been shared 2,493 times. His other wife, it turned out, looked just like Carla. Later, Bebe Neuwirth joined the cast as Frasier's wife Lilith. He guest starred in an episode of "Hung" on HBO. More recently, he appeared as tabloid journalist Marty Grossman on "Ray Donovan. Not Rheathey were talking about Carla. New Movie News, Movie Trailers & upcoming Movie Reviews, TV Legends Revealed: Why You Don't Mess With Carla On Cheers. Thomas also portrayed Carla's (played by Rhea Perlman) hockey player . Finally, and most importantly, Kirstie Alley successfully replaced the female lead Shelley Long (who played Diane) after Season 5. He will be dearly missed by so many, Estey said in a statement to CNN. Her zodiac sign is Aries. Thomas went on to have a recurring role on Murphy Brown and then a starring role on the sitcom Love and War (from Murphy Brown creator Diane English). Jay Thomas died on Thursday at 69 after a battle with cancer. To read our full stories, please turn off your ad blocker.We'd really appreciate it. Thomas also had small but memorable parts in films such as Mr. Hollands Opus and the latter two Santa Clause movies. And Other Comic Book Legends Revealed and Why Does Batman Carry Shark Repellent? 2. Jay Thomas, a comic and character actor whose credits include roles on Cheers and Murphy Brown, has died after a battle with cancer, according to his publicist Tom Estey. . However, Jay Thomas, who played ice hockey player Eddie Lebec on the show, was killed off not too long after marrying one of the main characters in the show to Carla. It's TV legend that Eddie was killed off because Thomas slammed his co-star on his radio show. Deaths aren't exactly commonplace for sitcoms, so Eddie's death may leave viewers wondering if there was a real-life reason for the narrative choice. 17 Things 'Cheers' Fans Never Knew. The tale of Thomas awkward exit from Cheershas become a bit of sitcom lore, a piece of TV history thats recounted time and time again. Jay now hosts a daily talk show on Sirius "Stars" channel and is selling high end real estate in Santa Barbara. Watch popular content from the following creators: goodtimeediting (@goodtimeediting), Sumovie (@sumovie363), AlienWarr (@alienwarr), Norm! Did you encounter any technical issues? And, according to the. As you can imagine, important people heard that interview and were not happy about it. A notable exception was Cheers. Jay Thomas was a popular radio personality for years before he began receiving acting opportunities on television. 2023 Cable News Network. He was also a radio DJ and continued to host a radio show while he was on Cheers. Jay Thomas, the good-natured . to global superstars), there is something that is almost more amazing, which is to join one of these shows after it has become a hit and become accepted as part of the show's DNA. 2,429, This story has been shared 2,179 times. Jay Thomas may not be a name many kids know now, but he was a constant comedic presence for those that came of age in the 80s and 90sespecially if you were a sitcom superfan. The colorful anecdote involved Thomas giving a ride to a costumed Clayton Moore, star of TVs The Lone Ranger, and getting involved in a minor car crash that escalated into more. No question about it, as Frasier literally got a spinoff show from his success on Cheers. He recalled: I'm doing Cheers, having the greatest time of my life, and one day I get a phone call from Jimmy. SinceCheers was primarily set at a bar, we only saw Carlas home life when it pulled up a stool. He earned that promotion.. First off, we needed a funny demise. When NYC beckoned Jay continued his eclectic career as a top rated morning DJ, comic at the Improve in NYC, and began an active off Broadway acting career, that saw him mix drama and comedy. Kelsey Grammer, who played Frasier Crane, was also not a lock to remain on the show long-term. He recurred on Mork & Mindy as deli owner Remo DaVinci, played the love interest of Rhea Perlmans Carla Tortelli on Cheers, and played tabloid talk show host Jerry Gold on Murphy Brown.. In a way thats fitting, as Thomas was also known for his annual telling of a Lone Ranger story onThe Late Show with David Lettermans annual Christmas episodes. Kevin Levine, a former writer on Cheers, wrote that Thomas said on the spot, said something to the effect of Its brutal. Updated But, Perlman remembers the situation differently. Thomas played the obnoxious TV talk-show host Jerry Gold (and Candice Bergens on-again, off-again boyfriend) on CBSMurphy Brown from 1989-98 winning a pair of Emmys after his stint as Rhea Perlmans husband Eddie LeBec, a French-Canadian goalie with the Boston Bruins, on NBCsCheers. Help keep Rhea Perlman and Jay Thomas profile up to date. Thomas' best known-roles were on the small screen. It seemed like Thomas was going to become a regular character. Maybe we should have. TV URBAN LEGEND: Jay Thomas' character on Cheers was killed off because he called Rhea Perlman ugly. ), Then we needed (a) some comic spin for the story, and (b) something to discredit Eddie so the audience would ultimately be glad he was out of Carlas life. The comedy, about a bar in Boston, lost one of its main characters after the third season when Nicholas Colasanto, who played the beloved bartender Coach, passed away. But if that's what cost me my job, my wife will probably say, 'Hey [expletive], I told you so.'". Questions and whispers remained about why she ultimately left the show, but she was not alone in questions. in which he played Rhea Perlman's . and more from FamousFix.com. Then on to LA radio as the #1 jock at Power 106, The Ensemble Theater Group, and recurring on "Cheers" as Carla's ice hockey playing husband. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. CNN Jay Thomas, a comic and character actor whose credits include roles on "Cheers" and "Murphy Brown," has died after a battle with cancer, according to his publicist Tom Estey. Eddie died in a Zamboni accident off-screen, and his character was only maligned further. Heck, note that in the quote above, Thomas even says he was specifically told Perlman was not the reason. In a statement to the NY Daily News, Thomas' rep, Don Buchwald, said, "Jay was one of . His most recent credits include appearances on Bones, NCIS: New Orleans, and Ray Donovan.. Ive always wanted to be one of those guys on late-night talk shows who everybody wants to see. Thomas. Jay Thomas was born in Kermit, Texas, to Katherine (Guzzino), a tap-dancing South Louisiana belle of Italian descent, and T. Harry Terrell, Sr., an oil man. At 16 he started as a stand-up on Bourbon St. As it turns out, though, one notable actor dealt with some off-screen drama that affected her character's arc. Login Below are steps you can take in order to whitelist Observer.com on your browser: Click the AdBlock button on your browser and select Don't run on pages on this domain. The biggest surprise exit from the program came from Shelley Long. In this weeks installment, Was Superman a Spy? 3,885, This story has been shared 3,505 times. Levine and his writing partner David Isaacs killed Eddie off-screen in a freak Zamboni accident, and then revealed at his funeral that hed been a polygamist all along. READ THIS NEXT:Kissing Brad Pitt Was "Disgusting," This Co-Star Said. Here's an amusing post-script. That was it for Eddie LeBec. Thomas. His claim to fame was to serve as the dresser for, He lost his recurring role as Carla's husband on, View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro, Actors and Celebrities Who Died of Cancer, Sally Michelson He won his first award as emcee of the Jesuit High School talent show. (We were worried that we wouldnt be able to use the name Zamboni but the company loved it. See Carla got pregnant with Eddies kid in Season Six, leading to the two getting hitched in the two-parter Little Carla, Happy at Last.. He was 69. Discover short videos related to jay thomas rhea perlman on TikTok. I have to kiss Rhea Perlman." As it turns out, though, one notable actor dealt with some off-screen drama that affected her character's arc. videos TIL actor Jay Thomas got his character, Eddie LeBec, killed off of the TV show "Cheers" when he talked about how horrible it was to kiss his character's wife, Rhea Perlman, on his radio show. However, after his less than pleasant comments on a radio show he was hosting . [January 2005]. All the leads from Friends in its final season were the same as in its first; the same with Seinfeld. Thomas is survived by wife, Sally, and his three sons. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. Thomas died after a battle with cancer, his friend and longtime agent Don Buchwald confirmed to the New York Daily News. Most recently, he appeared in the Showtime series Ray Donovan. The answer was at the funeral Carla learned that he was a polygamist, and had a second wife (who looked just like Carla).". In addition, Levine wrote about the incident on his amazing blog here, explaining how he came up with the episode where they killed off Eddie. He attended Gulf Coast College, University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt University, Central Piedmont College, and Jacksonville University, graduating with an AA, BS, and MA. Long said, We never fought. How to Stream Garcelle Beauvais' New Lifetime Movie Online, Stream It Or Skip It: 'Gulmohar' on Hulu, a Hindi Family-Ties Drama Marking the Return of Sharmila Tagore, Steven Spielberg Broke Down in Tears Seeing Paul Dano and Michelle Williams as His Parents in 'The Fabelmans', Is Brendan Frasers The Whale Based on a True Story? I became that guy. Thomas chased the vehicle, then confronted the other driver who denied anything had happened and told him he was going to call the cops. Official Sites. Thomas and the producer had just gotten stoned, he said. A native of Kermit, Texas, who was raised in New Orleans, Thomas got his start in radio as a high school football announcer for the Rutherford High Rams in Panama City, Fla. What Thomas had to say about kissing his co-star did not go over well with others involved in the show, and they retaliated in a very creative way. Thomas TV career started in the early 80s, and he quickly amassed a number of credits. quotes, He is most remembered for Mr. Holland's Opus. Help us build our profile of Rhea Perlman and Jay Thomas! He said something to the effect of Its brutal. He and Letterman also took turns throwing a football, trying to dislodge a meatball from the top of a Christmas tree. Folks came and went on the sitcom, its how things go for the most part. Thomas often played loud, sleazy types: He recurred on ShowtimesRay DonovanasMarty Grossman, the operator of a salacious TMZ-like website. For years, Thomas appeared on David Lettermans late-night talk show during Christmas season and told an entertaining, never-gets-old story centered on Clayton Moore, star of TVs The Lone Ranger. READ THIS NEXT:The Most Hated TV Couples of All Time. He later landed a recurring role as the hockey-playing husband of Rhea Perlman's character on "Cheers." He won back-to-back Emmys in 1991-92 for the guest role on "Murphy Brown," playing outspoken . Eddie is killed off (off-screen) in Season 8's "Death Takes a Holiday on Ice," where we also learn he was married to another woman. videos, And I think I did a pretty good job, although maybe it wasnt good enough for him.. The episode Death Takes a Holiday on Icegot rid of Eddie for good (as Deciders Joe Reid recalled in a recent list). Jay Thomas was never seen on Cheers again. Thomas has been telling the story for years, but hes not exactly the best source, as people always tend to come up with reasons for why they didnt get a particular job. Thomas played Eddie LeBec, a fictional goalie for the Boston Bruins, who began dating waitress Carla. Hilariously, though, the writers made his demise rather humorous as they revealed he had another wife who looked just like Carla on the show. Instead, his character was killed off-screen in Season 8. His Lone Ranger story was the best I heard in 30 years. Levine also notes that this episode ended up earning them an Emmy nod, making the whole situation a win for everyone involved except Thomas, of course. My e-mail address is bcronin@legendsrevealed.com. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. When asked about kissing Carla on Cheers, Thomas noted he received combat pay for doing so. Jay Thomas and Rhea Perlman were in an on-screen matchup. "Cheers" is one of the most famous sitcoms of all-time, and has maintained its relevance over the years, following its series finale in 1993. When Thomas joined Cheers, he was already known for his starring role as Remo on Mork&Mindy and for appearing on other shows including Family Ties and The Love Boat. In an oral history of Cheers published by GQ in 2012, Thomas, Perlman, and writer Ken Levine spoke about Thomas being written out of the show. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. Jay Thomas was one of the funniest and kindest men I have had the honor to call both client and friend for 25 years plus. Thanks Brian Raftery's excellent Cheers oral history in GQ for the Perlman, Thomas and Levine quotes. quotes, | Don Buchwald, his longtime agent and friend, said Thomas died at his home in Santa Barbara after a battle with cancer. Thomas was 69. As a comedian and a person, Thomas was always unfiltered, hilarious and unafraid to cross the line, which explains how he got himself written off of Cheers. Paramount Television Actor Jay Thomas, known for his roles on "Murphy Brown" and "Cheers," died Thursday following a battle with . In fact, plenty of younger viewers have found the series through streaming services (all 11 seasons are currently available to watch on Hulu). Thomas' best known-roles were on the small screen. Jay Thomas was born in Kermit, Texas, to Katherine (Guzzino), a tap-dancing South Louisiana belle of Italian descent, and T. Harry Terrell, Sr., an oil man. For Kelsey to suggest anything other is not to give himself enough credit. I loved Jay Thomas as Eddie LeBec," she said. After kicking off his TV career with a supporting role in Robin Williams Mork & Mindy,Thomas became the go-to guy for sitcoms needing a pinch hitter (Family Tiesone week,The Golden Girls the next). Cocktail waitress Carla Tortelli, played by Rhea Perlman, meets ice hockey player. ", The Sirius radio host also had roles in films including "Mr. Holland's Opus," "The Santa Clause 2" and "The Santa Clause 3." His zodiac sign is Cancer. American Actor Jay Thomas was born Jon Thomas Terrell on 12th July, 1948 in Kermit, Texas and passed away on 24th Aug 2017 Santa Barbara, California aged 69. 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On the big screen, Thomas played the Easter Bunny in the Santa Clause movies released in 2002 and 2006 and appeared in such films as Legal Eagles (1986), Straight Talk (1992),A Smile Like Yours (1997), Mr. Hollands Opus (1995) as football coach Bill Meister Dragonfly (2002) and Labor Pains (2009). He said, like in a movie, "Are you sitting down?" Thomas won two Emmy awards for outstanding guest actor in a comedy series for his portrayal of Gold. Thomas. 3,913, This story has been shared 3,885 times. He was 69. At his funeral, it was revealed that Eddie secretly had another wife. Levine continues, "we needed (a) some comic spin for the story, and (b) something to discredit Eddie so the audience would ultimately be glad he was out of Carla's life. Eventually, she became pregnant with twins, and the pair got married. Thomas, certainly, but Levine? He appeared as a leading guest star in dozens of sitcoms, cop shows, and MOW's opposite Judith Light, John Tuturro, and Christine Lahti. Follow him on Twitter at @Brian_Cronin and feel free to e-mail him suggestions for stories about comic books that you'd like to see featured at brianc@cbr.com! Thomas best known roles were Remo DaVinci on ABCs Mork & Mindy, Eddie LeBec on NBCs Cheers and Jerry Gold on NBCs Murphy Brown, where he earned two Emmys. Jay was one of a kind, never at a loss for words and filled with so much fun and wonderfully whacky thoughts and behavior, wrote Buchwald. The actor, who went on to have a recurring role onMurphy Brown,added, "Look, I made jokes about kissing Murphy Brown [too]. The same writer wrote about Kelsey on the show, Quite simply, he was retained because he was terrific and once everyone saw the dynamics between his character and the others in the bar it was clear that Frasier Crane was a keeper. Jay Thomas was doing a radio interview and he was insulting toward having to kiss Rhea Perlman. It also gave us a story arc for Carla. A few episodes of recurring bliss and then one day on Jays radio show a caller asked him what it was like to be on Cheers? And he goes, "Look, we're not going to have you back on the show. She said, 'I want him off the show,'" Levine claimed. And he goes, 'Look, we're not going to have you back on the show. He was on the cast of Mork and Mindy for a time (20 episodes in total between 1979 and 1981). And Other Amazing Comic Book Trivia! And The Lone . ', "Well," Levine wrote, "guess who happened to be listening. She heard this interview and Eddie was written off the show. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Discovery Company. Jay Thomas was known for his TV roles, most notably as Jerry Gold on Murphy Brown in the 1990s. What We Know, How to Watch Donald Trump's 2023 CPAC Speech: Live Stream Information, What Time Is Chris Rock's Netflix Special On Tonight? He played Rhea Perlman's husband, Eddie LeBec, on "Cheers," and won the best guest actor Emmy in 1990 and 1991 for his portrayal of the character . He won the best actor for and was a co-writer of best comedy at the LA iTV Fest for "Talker". Reared in New Orleans, he was always active in sports and performing. It's likely all going to be paraphrase since it was a radio show. Returning to the stage he starred in plays written and directed by Wendy Wasserstein and Woody Allen. Contract disputes, on-set conflicts, or characters just not working out: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Paramount Television/Courtesy Everett Collection, Chris Rock Jokes About Watching Emancipation to See Will Smith Getting Whipped In Advance of Netflix Special: Report, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved, Jay Thomas, 'Cheers' And 'Murphy Brown' Actor, Dead at 69, Killed Off: A History of TV Shows That Violently Rid Themselves of Core Characters, Will There Be A 'Sex/Life' Season 3 on Netflix? All Rights Reserved. 1,836, This story has been shared 1,686 times. And the Jay Thomas talk show airs daily on SiriusXM. The answer was at the funeral Carla learned that he was a polygamist, and had a second wife (who looked just like Carla).. Well, it may have stemmed from a radio spot by Thomas where he was asked to talk about his role on the show. "That's not true. Recently he has hosted shows at Carolines in NYC and the Bellagio in Vegas. As it turns out, it appears Thomas' own big mouth got himself kicked off of the show. Jay runs afoul of Rhea Perlman! Jay Thomas and Rhea Perlman were in an on-screen matchup.. On Screen Matchups. 1,313, This story has been shared 1,267 times. For more celebrity news delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Mark King & Rhea Perlman 1983 Press Photo 7x9 Cheers TV Show *P69a at the best online prices at eBay! 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. Triangle of Sadness Ending Explained: Does Abigail Kill Yaya? I have to kiss Rhea Perlman., Well, guess who happened to be listening. He was 69. We get it: you like to have control of your own internet experience. On Cheers, Jay played Carla's (Rhea Perlman) hockey goalie husband, Eddie LeBec, for two years before his character was memorably hit by a Zamboni. In his new book, Directed by James Burrows, Cheers co-creator James Burrows tells his version ofthe story. When this actor insulted his co-star, he evidently couldn't foresee the consequences he would face. Jay Thomas and Rhea Perlman were in Cheers (1982) together.. About. Instead, Thomas is sent off to perform in an ice show, making just two appearances in Season 7 after seven episodes in Season 6. 4. I mean, he got angry once, pretty late in the game about something that I wish he had told me about long before, because I made every effort to change it. He worked at stations in Panama City; Pensacola, Fla.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Nashville; Jacksonville, Fla.; and Charlotte, N.C., where he earned nicknames like The Mouth of the South, The Scorpion and The Prince of Darkness.. on CBS' Murphy Brown from 1989-98 winning a pair of Emmys after his stint as Rhea Perlman's husband Eddie LeBec, a French-Canadian goalie with the . Every holiday season since 1998, he was asked by, Was the Morning man at New York City radio station WXRK, just prior to. Jay Thomas, the good-natured comic actor who starred on the sitcoms Murphy Brown and Cheers, died Thursday. Thomas moved to New York for a job at the FM station 99X and then did stand-up comedy at the Improv and acted in off-Broadway plays. Biological father of musician and songwriter, The Jay Thomas Show was heard for a number of years on Sirius Satellite Radio Monday through Fridays, 3:00PM to 6:00PM on Sirius Stars Too, Channel 108. He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Radio at 6161 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much The guy took one look at Thomas and his producer and said, Oh really, who do you think they are going to believe, you two hippie freaks or me? At this point, Moore emerged from the backseat and said, Theyll believe me, citizen.. His departure ended up being a bit more complicated, however, as viewers were a fan of Carla and Eddie as a couple. Even before Coach's departure, the show had introduced a wrench into the main romantic relationship between bar owner Sam Malone and uptight waitress Diane Chambers. Jay Thomas was axed after he dissed Rhea Perlman publicly. Eddie showed up a few more times in Season Six and Seven, but then something major happened off-camera in between April and November of 1989. Click the AdBlock Plus button on your browser and select Enabled on this site. He is most remembered for Mr. Holland's Opus. "Rhea came up to my office and she was furiousI'd never seen her like this. It is very difficult to work your way into a hit TV show after it has become a hit. Those curious viewers would be right because it sounds like Thomas's off-set behavior led to him getting kicked off the show. Always had a smile and a kind word for me, a lowly board op at KIQQ. His apprenticeship duties involved building sets at this summer stock theatre. and more from FamousFix.com, See Thomas also had a turn on "Cheers" as Rhea Perlman's TV-husband Eddie LeBec, a Boston Bruins hockey player who was killed by a Zamboni. He also hosted a radio show in Los Angeles and, most recently, had a daily gig with SiriusXM. Best Picture Nominee Triangle of Sadness Is Now Streaming on Hulu, When Does 'Black Girl Missing' Premiere on Lifetime? But odds are if you know Jay Thomas, who passed away today at the age of 69, you know him from his recurring role onCheers as Carla Tortellis hockey-playing husband Eddie LeBec. trivia, 1,686, This story has been shared 1,313 times. On the big screen he was featured in "Mr. Holland's Opus", "A Smile Like Yours", and "Santa Claus" 2 and 3. He had a few small roles during the early 1980s, popping up on big shows like Family Ties and The Golden Girls, and in 1987 (in the middle of Season 5) he joined Cheers as Boston Bruins goalie Eddie LeBec. This story has been shared 4,038 times. What about Long and Ted Danson? Sitcom vet Jay Thomas, best known for his recurring roles on Cheers and Murphy Brown, has died. However, he never strayed to far from the airwaves as he launched the daily Jay Thomas Show on Sirius XM in 2005 and even served as a frequent substitute for Howard Stern. According to the book (via Page Six), a listener called in to Thomas' show and asked what it was like being part of Cheers, to which Thomas responded, "It's brutal. He insulted Rhea, which meant he insulted all of us. to add information, pictures and relationships, join in discussions and get credit for your contributions. "Since he was no longer on the show, Eddie also had to go. Thats exactly what it looked like was going to happen with Jay Thomas' character, Eddie LeBec, who joined the show in Season 5 as the boyfriend to Rhea Perlman's character, the perpetually pregnant waitress Carla. In the late '80s, actor Jay Thomas appeared on several episodes of Cheers as the love interestand eventual husband ofCarla Tortelli, who was played by Rhea Perlman.