Whatever Happened To The Cast Of Frasier?
Sometimes a show is so highly rated, so universally loved, and so lucrative that even when the story of its characters has reached a natural and satisfying conclusion, the fat cats in their corner offices bust out the old citrus press to squeeze every drop of juice from their overripe intellectual property. The resulting follow-up often shows a lack of charm, originality, and acclaim of their forefathers, but sometimes, these spinoffs have something to say. For every "Joey," there's a "Lou Grant," for every "Joanie Loves Chachi," a "Better Call Saul," and for every "AfterMASH," a "Frasier."
A spin-off of the popular NBC sitcom, "Cheers," "Frasier" sees psychiatrist Frasier Crane leave his Boston barstool following his divorce to start a call-in radio show in his hometown of Seattle. The sitcom was a smashing success and a critical darling, earning 37 Primetime Emmy awards — a record at the time for scripted television — and running for 11 seasons, during which time the main cast of the show never changed.
Despite the show being off the air for almost 20 years, a reboot of the beloved program is on the way which will see the psychiatrist move back to Boston to reconnect with his son, Freddy (per Deadline). Before Dr. Crane returns to the airwaves, let's take a look at what the original cast has been up to since he signed off for the last time in 2004.
Kelsey Grammer as Dr. Frasier Crane
The titular role of Dr. Frasier Crane, the erudite psychiatrist and host of "The Dr. Frasier Crane Show" is played by Kelsey Grammer. His most iconic role to date, Grammer played Frasier for a total of 20 years including his time on "Cheers." In a 2022 interview with Yahoo! News, when discussing his upcoming reprisal of the role which made him a household name, Grammer described the character as "like putting on a favorite old jacket."
Since, temporarily, hanging up that uptight old jacket, Grammer has worked prolifically in Hollywood as both actor and producer. Immediately following the end of "Frasier," Grammer played Mr. Skibness in the Tenney Fairchild film, "The Good Humor Man." In 2008, he starred as President Andrew Boone in the comedic political drama, "Swing Vote," alongside Kevin Costner. He also appeared as himself in a handful of episodes of the NBC comedy, "30 Rock."
Grammer would also dip his toe into the blockbuster waters in 2014, starring as Beast in "X-Men: Days of Future Past" and playing Harold Attinger in "Transformers: Age of Extinction." Grammer also continues to provide the voice for Sideshow Bob in "The Simpsons," which he first began in 1990. He has several projects in production or development besides the new "Frasier," including roles in an "Untitled Alex Baldwin/Kelsey Grammer Project," and the historical religious drama, "Jesus Revolution," which is scheduled for release in February 2023.
Jane Leeves as Daphne Moon
It might surprise fans of Martin Frasier's live-in caretaker, Daphne Moon, to learn that British actress Jane Leeves almost didn't land the role. According to Showbiz Cheat Sheet, the production team had originally sought out Rosie Perez for the role. Looking back on Leeves' 263 episodes now, it seems ridiculous to think that anybody else was ever considered for the role of Daphne, a performance that earned her an Emmy nomination in 1993.
After "Frasier" came to an end in 2004, Leeves took a two-year break from acting before returning to provide the voice of Eenie in "Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties." She worked regularly in television for several years, appearing in shows like "Misconceptions" and "Desperate Housewives" and doing voiceover work for the animated children's show, "Phineas and Ferb."
In 2010, Leeves landed the role of Joy Scroggs in the TV Land sitcom, "Hot in Cleveland," which she played for five seasons. Leeves also stars as Kit Voss in the Fox medical drama, "The Resident," which concluded its sixth season in January 2023. She is also set to star as Caroline in an upcoming "Hannah Simon/ABC Project" which is currently in post-production.
David Hyde Pierce as Niles Crane
Frasier's cold-hearted younger brother, Dr. Niles Crane, is played by David Hyde Pierce. He won four Emmys for his performance, only one fewer than Grammer, and was an integral part of the show's main cast. Unfortunately for fans of Crane, the actor will not be reprising his role in the upcoming reboot, deciding he "wasn't really interested in repeating the performance" (per Yahoo! News).
After "Frasier," Hyde Pierce worked regularly in theatre. He played Sir Robin in the Monty Python musical, "Spamalot," from 2005-2006 and was nominated for a Tony award for his performance as Horace in Vandergelder in the 2017 revival of "Hello, Dolly!" Hyde Pierce has also continued to work in film and television. In 2010 he starred as Warwick Wilson in the comedic crime thriller, "The Perfect Host," and in 2017, he reprised his role as Professor Henry Neumann in the TV miniseries, "Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp." On the silver screen, he lent his voice to an episode of "Sesame Street" and played Frank Prady in Season 6 of "The Good Wife." He also voiced the brother of Grammer's Sideshow Bob, Cecil Terwilliger, in three episodes of "The Simpsons."
Hyde Pierce returned to television in 2022 to play Julia Child's wife, Paul, in the HBO Max biopic, "Julia," alongside Sarah Lancashire. He is also set to star as Father Conor in the upcoming horror film, "The Georgetown Project" which is slated for release sometime in 2023.
Peri Gilpin as Roz Doyle
The producer of Frasier's radio show, Roz Doyle, is played by Peri Gilpin. Encouraged by her parents to pursue her passion for acting since she was a child growing up in Dallas, Doyle studied acting at the University of Texas and the British American Dramatic Academy in London. She performed on stage in New York before relocating to Los Angeles and landing her big break on "Frasier" (via Ability Magazine).
Gilpin is still working regularly on television. Following the end of "Frasier," Gilpin popped up in shows like "Medium," "Desperate Housewives," and Law & Order: Criminal Intent," and lent her vocal talents to the animated comedy, "King of the Hill." In 2011, Gilpin had an on-screen reunion with her "Frasier" co-star Jane Leeves in an episode of "Hot in Cleveland." Arguably her biggest TV role since "Fraiser" was as Kim Keeler in the ABC sports drama, "Make it or Break It," which ran for four seasons. Gilpin also appeared in a 2017 episode of "Broad City."
In later years, Gilpin has been working more on the big screen with smaller roles in movies like "Occupy, Texas," "Flock of Dudes," and "The Outdoorsman." Recent roles include Adelaide in the 2021 romantic comedy, "We Broke Up," Mrs. Donahue in "Rushed," and Sara Hughes in the historical drama, "The Anthrax Attacks."
John Mahoney as Martin Crane
The role of the Crane brothers' retired-cop father Martin was played by the late John Mahoney. For his performance, Mahoney was nominated for two Primetime Emmys in 1999 and 2003. Mahoney's long Hollywood career began in 1981 with a role in the biopic "Hudson Taylor" and spanned nearly four decades before he passed away in 2018 at 77.
After his role in "Frasier," Mahoney provided the voice of Papi in "Kronk's New Groove" and played Bennett Clay in a 2006 episode of "ER." In 2007, he landed a major film role as Poppy in the Steve Carell romantic comedy, "Dan in Real Life," and voiced Dr. Robert Terwilliger, Sr. in a Season 19 episode of "The Simpsons." The following year, Mahoney appeared as Walter Barnett in the first season of "In Treatment" and featured in two episodes of the USA action drama, "Burn Notice." In 2011, he joined the cast of "Hot in Cleveland," a veritable "Frasier" cast magnet, as Roy and, later, Rusty Banks. His final performance before his passing was as Andrew del Mar in a 2015 episode of "Foyle's War."
Moose as Eddie
Martin's loveable canine companion Eddie was played by an adorable four-legged thespian by the name of Moose. The production team behind "Frasier" had Moose working like ... well, a dog. He's appeared in most episodes besides the five members of the main cast — a total of 163 episodes across ten seasons. Despite his too-cute-to-hate face, Frasier is often at odds with Eddie, taking umbrage with his propensity to stare fixedly at him for prolonged periods of time.
During his distinguished 10-year career, this diminutive Jack Russel terrier logged four acting credits. "Frasier" was his small screen debut, but after his first season on the air, he immediately booked a job in an episode of "The 5 Mrs. Buchanans" as Petey. The following year, he played Monte in an episode of the Jean Smart, Mary McDonnell comedy, "High Society." In 2000, Moose made the jump to Hollywood, starring as the eponymous Skip in the film. "My Dog Skip," which also featured a performance by his son, Enzo. "Frasier" was Moose's last onscreen performance before he passed away in 2006 at the ripe old age of 112 (in dog years).
Dan Butler as Bob Bulldog Briscoe
Frasier isn't the only colorful personality at Seattle's KACL radio station. Following the psychiatrist's time slot is the "Gonzo Sports Show," and its host, the macho, womanizing Bob "Bulldog" Briscoe, played by Dan Butler. Butler popped up in 53 episodes of "Frasier" beginning in its first season.
After his final appearance in 2004, Butler stayed active in the television industry, continuing to lend his voice to "Hey Arnold!" on Nickelodeon as a number of characters including Mr. Simmons, and appearing in episodes of "Quintuplets" and "Dr. Vegas." He's popped up on several popular shows since then, including one-episode roles in "Malcolm in the Middle," "Supernatural," "House," and "Monk."
In 2011, he returned to the big screen, appearing as Steve Carell's boss in the romantic comedy, "Crazy, Stupid Love." In 2020, Butler played Dr. Alan Mendelson in the romantic drama, "All My Life," and in 2022, he featured as I.E. Shinn in the Marilyn Monroe biopic, "Blonde," alongside Academy Award nominee Ana de Armas.
Edward Hibbert as Gil Chesterton
Another KACL personality, posh, flamboyant restaurant critic Gil Chesterton is a recurring character throughout the show's 11-season run. He is played by Royal Academy of Dramatic art alum, Edward Hibbert. He appeared in a total of 29 episodes, including an appearance in the series finale in 2004.
Hibbert has worked steadily since the end of "Frasier." Immediately after the series concluded, he played Sir Michael Strickland in the romantic thriller, "A Different Loyalty," and appeared in an uncredited role as a stage manager in "The Muppets' Wizard of Oz." In 2006, he featured as Ackerman in the Christopher Nolan thriller, "The Prestige" and appeared as Randall Farber in an episode of "Gilmore Girls."
Fans of the 2011 video game "Star Wars: The Old Republic" might also recognize Hibbert as the voice of Lt. Talos Drellik. Much like several of his "Frasier" co-stars, he also appeared in an episode of "Hot in Cleveland" in 2014. In 2018, Hibbert also provided the voice of Mary Poppins' magical talking parrot umbrella in "Mary Poppins Returns" and featured in episodes of "Grace and Frankie" and "Blue Bloods" in 2019.
Patrick Kerr as Noel Shempsky
KACL's technical assistant and Klingon-fluent "Star Trek" aficionado, Noel Shempsky, is played by seasoned television journeyman Patrick Kerr. First introduced in Season 1, Kerr would star in a total of 22 episodes over the 11 seasons.
After "Frasier," Kerr appeared in an episode of the much less successful sitcom spinoff series, "Joey," which saw Matt LeBlanc reprise his role as Joey Tribbiani from "Friends." He had a small role in the 2005 action biopic, "Domino" as a DMV manager, and the following year appeared in an episode of Julia Louis-Dreyfus' CBS sitcom, "The New Adventures of Old Christine." Over the next decade, he had several one-episode roles in shows such as "CSI," "Jessie," "Elementary," and "Hannah Montana." Later film roles include Mr. Rothman in the 2014 comedy, "Friends and Romans" and Jerry in 2015's "Anesthesia."
Since then, Kerr has worked in short films and on episodes of "Little America" on Apple TV+ and the HBO Max crime comedy, "Search Party." He's set to appear in another Apple TV+ original, "The Big Door Prize" as a main cast member alongside Chris O'Dowd, Gabrielle Dennis, and Ally Maki. The show is scheduled to premiere in March 2023.
Tom McGowan as Kenny Daly
First appearing in Season 5, KACL's station manager Kenny Daly is played by Tom McGowan. He worked primarily in film before appearing in "Frasier," beginning in 1992 with a role in Michael Mann's historical drama, "The Last of the Mohicans" and had some experience in the sitcom world, playing Bernie Gruenfelder in "Everybody Loves Raymond."
Following "Frasier," McGowan stayed busy. In 2004, he had a lead role in the romantic comedy, "Dog Gone Love," and appeared in episodes of "Complete Savages" and "8 Simple Rules." Since then, he's stayed in the world of television, featuring in shows such as "Hannah Montana," "Boston Legal," and "CSI." Unsurprisingly, he also wound up in a 2011 episode of "Hot in Cleveland" and the following year played Principal Roth in an episode of "Modern Family."
In 2015, McGowan played Congressman Moyes in an episode of the HBO political comedy, "Veep," and returned to the big screen to play William Johnson in "Freeheld" alongside Julianne Moore and Michael Shannon. Two years later, he had a supporting role as Jax Rindell in Season 1 of "The Good Fight." In 2022, McGowan starred in an episode of the NBC comedy, "American Auto."
Millicent Martin as Gertrude Moon
Daphne Moon's overbearing mother, Gertrude, who first appears in Season 7, is portrayed by veteran actress Millicent Martin. Martin's career began in British television all the way back in 1957 and she would make appearances in every subsequent season of "Frasier," save Season 8, with her final appearance coming in Season 11, Episode 7, "Maris Returns (Part One)".
After her final appearance in "Frasier," Martin popped up as Helen in a 2004 episode of "The Drew Carey Show" and appeared as Leni in "Will & Grace" the following year. Her television career has been going strong since then, and she has acted in episodes of "Chuck," "Castle," "Bones," and "Modern Family." Not wanting to miss out on the "Frasier" cast's favorite studio lot hangout spot, she played Agnes Bratford in two episodes of, you guessed it, "Hot in Cleveland," and appeared in a small role in the 2017 movie, "The Last Word," as Margaret Dumont. In 2017, McGowan took on the role of Joan-Margaret in the Netflix original comedy series, "Grace and Frankie," first appearing in Season 3 and playing the character in 20 episodes all the way through to the show's seventh and final season in 2022.