'Cheers' Stars Sue Over Looks

By Stephen M. Silverman

10/28/1997 at 12:00 AM EST

The United States Supreme Court is soon expected to make a decision in a case brought by former "Cheers" costars George Wendt and John Ratzenberger (they played bar denizens Norm and Cliff on the iconic '80s sitcom) against Paramount and the Host International restaurant chain. The 9th circuit court ruled in favor of the actors, who sued Paramount and Host for opening a chain of Cheers bars in the nation's airports that feature robotic images of Norm and Cliff. The case is expected to test California's right to publicity law. Paramount reportedly maintains that it owns all rights to "Cheers" and, therefore, owns Norm and Cliff.