Surprising Behind-the-Scenes Stories from the Set of Cheers

When Nicholas Colasanto (Coach) passed away, the entire Cheers cast wanted to attend his funeral in Providence, Rhode Island. But NBC wouldn’t pause filming long enough to let everyone fly out. Instead, they chose one representative — John Ratzenberger — to attend on behalf of the whole cast.

Ratzenberger made the trip alone, carrying the cast’s love and respect with him. Back in Los Angeles, the Cheers family held their own memorial on set, honoring Colasanto in the place where he’d spent his final years working. It was a quiet, heartfelt goodbye to a beloved friend.