Kelsey Grammer: On Top And Loving The View

The beloved actor talks to Stephanie van der Plank about family-filled weekends, a Frasier reboot, and his new TV series Proven Innocent.

- Stephanie van der Plank

Hollywood veteran Kelsey Grammer, 64, burst onto our TV screens 35 years ago as the wryly eccentric radio psychotherapist Frasier Crane. He held the role – back-to-back in Cheers and then in the spinoff series Frasier – for an impressive 20 years, claiming a host of awards, including four Emmys and two Golden Globes. When the much-loved spinoff’s final episode aired in 2004, the actor took to the big screen. He has since appeared in films like action-thriller The Expendables 3 alongside fellow stalwarts Sylvester Stallone and Harrison Ford and, recently, the Netflix original dramedy Like Father opposite Kristen Bell. These days, Kelsey stars in TV legal drama Proven Innocent, and is enjoying a quieter lifestyle focused on family-filled weekends and deep-sea fishing holidays. He lives in LA with his wife Kayte, 39, with whom he has three kids, all under age six. He also has three grown-up daughters and a teen son from previous relationships.

Success means something completely different to me now. Twenty years ago, it was all about finding fame; today, it’s about enjoying a quiet family life. Luckily, I’ve got to the point in my career where I can choose which projects to take on; it means I have more freedom and more free time. I’ve learnt to slow down and focus on my family. It’s been a long ride, but I’m finally where I want to be.

It hasn’t always been smooth sailing. There have been many highs and lows, both in my career and personal life.

I’ve made bad choices, faced difficult rejections, and there was a rough period where I struggled with addiction. Somehow, I’ve always managed to get up again after one of life’s knocks. Grit and a good sense of humour have been the keys to longevity for me.