Kelsey Grammer Remembers ‘Frasier’ Co-Star John Mahoney: “He Was My Father, I Loved Him”
Frasier star Kelsey Grammer has remembered John Mahoney, the Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated actor who died February 4 in Chicago. “He was my father,” Grammer said in a statement about his Frasier dad. “I loved him.”
Grammer joined castmate Peri Gilpin and casting director Jeff Greenberg in offering memories of, and condolences for, the longtime Steppenwolf Theatre actor, who played Martin Crane, the father of Frasier and Niles Crane on the Cheers spin-off.
“It is with our deepest sorrow that we share the news that ensemble member of 39 years John Mahoney passed away,” the Steppenwolf Theatre company said on its official Twitter account. The Chicago-based theater canceled its opening-night performance of You Got Older and instead invited the public to Front Bar to remember him.
Read more tweets from Say Anything…co-star John Cusack, Kevin Smith, producer Greg Berlanti, Ken Jeong, Michael McKean, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and others below. Deadline will update this post with more reactions as they come.
John singing at my wedding. Watch Moonstruck, Say Anything and/or Frasier or anything you can with him in it and raise a glass to John. Remember him well. pic.twitter.com/Tj3i5B4x13
— Peri Gilpin (@GilpinPeri) February 6, 2018
Great actor – lovely kind human -any time you saw him you left feeling better – RIP John … https://t.co/jHXPHm1dEb
— John Cusack (@johncusack) February 5, 2018
It is with our deepest sorrow that we share the news that ensemble member of 39 years John Mahoney passed away. Tonight’s opening night performance of You Got Older has been cancelled. We are instead inviting all to gather in Front Bar this evening. All are welcome to join us. pic.twitter.com/k8yrrR7ICA
— Steppenwolf Theatre (@SteppenwolfThtr) February 6, 2018
The great John Mahoney passed away today at age 77. I've not known a kinder man nor more brilliant actor. We were all blessed to have spent 11 glorious years together. pic.twitter.com/hn3SZwuEy4
— Jeff Greenberg (@JeffGreenbergCD) February 5, 2018
He was Dad to Frasier and Niles (AND Diane Court) but also a Father figure to us all. Rest In Peace, John Mahoney! https://t.co/Bj25Ppd4n6
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) February 6, 2018
John Mahoney was a fixture on the Chicago stage for over 30 years through countless award-winning performances and as a member of @SteppenwolfThtr. Though he will be missed, his work and impact will endure for generations to come. pic.twitter.com/e9hiaFSCzk
— Mayor Rahm Emanuel (@ChicagosMayor) February 6, 2018
I saw John Mahoney perform off broadway in Orphans and I’ll never forget that experience or his performance. He brought such wonderful humanity to every single thing I ever saw him in. What an actor. What a loss.
— Josh Charles (@MrJoshCharles) February 6, 2018
Devastated by the loss of John Mahoney who was so kind and supportive of me early in my career when we made The Broken Hearts Club…
— Greg Berlanti (@GBerlanti) February 6, 2018
Rest In Peace, John Mahoney. "Say Anything" is one of my favorite films of all time.
— Ken Jeong (@kenjeong) February 5, 2018
So sorry to hear of John Mahoney's passing. Met him once at Steppenwolf (brilliant in The Seafarer), got a chance to praise his work in Say Anything, et al. RIP.
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) February 5, 2018
John Mahoney. The perfect comic actor because you saw no acting. What a legacy: the argument with Frasier when they act Jewish, saying “love ya” to his mate but not his kids, the Daphne impression etc etc. Genius. RIP.
— David Schneider (@davidschneider) February 5, 2018
John Mahoney was 37 when he started acting.
Thirty-seven.
Go do that thing you’re thinking about. #RIP— John Ross Bowie (@JohnRossBowie) February 6, 2018
Gutted. John Mahoney has left. His kindness,friendship and of course his incredible body of work will never be forgotten. We are fewer
— TitusWelliver (@welliver_titus) February 5, 2018
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