Kelsey Grammer Biography

Actor, director, writer, producer Kelsey Grammer was born Allen Kelsey Grammer on February 21 (some sources cite Feb. 20), 1955 in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Following the shooting death of his father when he was a boy, Grammer was raised in New Jersey and Florida.

Tragedy continued when his sister was abducted and violently murdered when Grammer was 20. Five years later, he lost two half brothers in a diving accident.

As a young man, he sought comfort in acting and studied drama at the Juilliard School for two years before dropping out to pursue a successful stage career.

After appearing on various television series and soap operas, Grammer landed the role of Dr. Frasier Crane on the NBC sitcom Cheers in 1984. As Shelley Long's pompous, self-absorbed love interest, Grammer's character became a regular and he stayed with the show until its finale in 1993.

His character was resurrected with the spin-off Frasier the following year, moving from Boston to Seattle where the psychiatrist hosted his own radio show. Grammer has won three Emmys and four Golden Globes for his performance on the series. In 2003, Grammer announced that Frasier's 11th season would be the series' last.

In 1995, Grammer published his autobiography So Far.

He co-starred with sitcom veteran Patricia Heaton on the FOX series Back to You from 2007-2008. His velvety smooth voice has also landed him several memorable voiceover roles, including an Emmy win for the voice of Sideshow Bob on The Simpsons.

Grammer recently completed the film Swing Vote, in which Grammer stars as a Republican incumbent whose bid for President comes down to one man's vote. He has also been cast as an eccentric billionaire in a new comedy pilot that ABC is considering called Roman's Empire.

Grammer has a daughter, Spencer, with dance instructor Doreen Alderman, whom he divorced in 1990. He was married to former exotic dancer Leigh-Anne Cushany for a year in 1992. He has another daughter, Greer, with Barrie Buckner. He married model Camille Donatacci in 1997; they have a daughter, Mason Olivia, and a son, Jude Gordon.

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