Which waitress is one of only three Cheers characters to appear in every episode?

Carla Tortelli is the waitress who, along with Sam Malone and Norm Peterson, appears in every episode of Cheers. Rhea Perlman played Carla throughout the sitcom’s complete 11-season run.

Carla is introduced as a sharp-tongued, fiercely competitive waitress and single mother. Her sarcasm, temper and willingness to challenge nearly everyone at the bar made her one of Cheers’ most durable comic engines. Although the show’s central romantic focus shifted from Sam and Diane to Sam and Rebecca, Carla remained a constant presence.

The common mix-up is to choose Diane Chambers or Rebecca Howe, since both were prominent female leads. Diane leaves after the fifth season, and Rebecca joins in season six, so neither can qualify for every episode. “Loretta Tortelli” is not the name of the waitress; Loretta is associated with Carla’s family and later storylines.

Carla’s continuity is especially notable because she survived major cast changes, including the departures of Coach Ernie Pantusso, Diane and later Sam. She also appeared in the Cheers spin-off universe, including The Tortellis and Frasier.