Quick Links
“Making your way in the world today takes everything you got. Taking a break from all your worries, it sure would help a lot. Wouldn't you like to get away?”
Long before Friends and Seinfeld came into the picture, there was another sitcom that featured a group of individuals who worked at a bar and would want to escape the hassles of the real world. Cheers debuted on NBC in September 1982 and ran until 1993. The show featured the lives of bartenders, waitresses, their coworkers, and a few regulars that dealt with romance, social issues, and alcoholism.
With 275 episodes, the comedy was met with critical acclaim and was ranked one of the best television shows of all time by TV Guide. The stars from the show have gone on to enjoy successful careers, a few even returning to television. Where are they now? Continue below to see what each former cast member of Cheers is doing today.
Ted Danson
Sam Malone is the owner of the bar Cheers where the sitcom takes place. Handsome and also a notorious womanizer, Malone was a former pitcher for the Boston Red Sox and a recovering alcoholic that all of his patrons adore and rely on.
Portrayed by Ted Danson, the character received positive reviews, particularly for his on-and-off-again relationship with Diane Chambers. Danson's big break came from his time on the show but the actor has also starred in many films, including Three Men and a Baby, Saving Private Ryan, and Mad Money. Currently, Danson stars on the NBC fantasy-comedy The Good Place. The actor is currently married to actress Mary Steenburgen and is the father of four.
Shelley Long
Actress Shelley Long played college-graduate Diane Chambers, a waitress in the Cheers bar whose relationship with Sam was a pivotal plot during the show. Diane had dreams of becoming a writer, but in the first episode, she was dumped by her fiance and began working at the bar.
Long received critical praise for her time as Diane, and her departure from the show after five seasons left fans devastated. During her time on Cheers, Long starred in films such as The Money Pit, Hello Again, and Outrageous Fortune. After leaving the show, Long played Carol Brady in The Brady Bunch Movie and its sequel, as well as the television show, Modern Family.
Rhea Perlman
Carla Tortelli was a mean-spirited, wise-cracking, waitress who was a mother of eight children and didn't take crap from anyone. Played by actress Rhea Perlman, Carla was one of the show's favored characters, due to her feisty nature. Prior to her getting the role of Carla, Perlman's first well-known appearance was on the show, Taxi, where she acting alongside her future husband, Danny DeVito.
Pearlman starred in films such s Matilda, Sing, and I'll See You in My Dreams, while also making guest appearances on shows like Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, Kirstie, The Mindy Project, and The Goldbergs. Pearlman and DeVito married in 1982 and have three children together. In 2017, the pair announced they had separated for the second time.
Kelsey Grammer
Dr. Fraiser Crane appeared in the third season of Cheers as the love interest of Diane, which added to the Sam/Diane love arc. Due to the character's popularity, Fraiser's role was expanded and even though he and Diane didn't work out, Fraiser went on to marry Lilith Sternin, with whom he had a child. Kelsey Grammer portrayed the character on Cheers and then the show's spin-off sitcom, Fraiser, based on his character's transition back to his hometown, Seattle.
The actor has also starred in many films, including Anastasia, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Think Like A Man Too. Grammer is also no stranger to other television shows, earning credits on The Simpsons, Saturday Night Live, and 30 Rock. Recently, Grammer appeared on Fox's poorly received Proven Innocent legal drama. Grammer is currently married to Kayte Walsh and is the father of seven children.
Woody Harrelson
Woodrow "Woody" Boyd came to the Cheers bar to meet his pen pal, Coach Ernie Pantusso, who was played by Nicholas Colasanto. Unfortunately, Colasanto had passed away after a heart attack, and his character Coach was also written off by an unexpected death.
Woody took Coach's place as a bartender and was quickly accepted by the patrons and staff. Woody was played by Woody Harrelson, who was already establishing a career for himself in the industry. While he starred on Cheers, Harrelson appeared in blockbuster films like White Men Can't Jump, Indecent Proposal, and Money Train. After Cheers ended, Harrelson continued to star in successful films, most recently reprising his role in the zombie comedy, Zombieland: Double Tap.
John Ratzenberger
Cliff Clavin is a postal worker and the best friend of Norm Peterson, both of whom are regular patrons at Cheers. Cliff lives with his mom and has a "know-it-all" attitude which gets him into arguments with many members of the bar. Fans still love Cliff, who was played by Jonh Ratzenberger, and his brainy demeanor that still makes audiences laugh to this day. Ratzenberger became a Pixar legend by lending his voice talents for several films, including Toy Story, Coco, Brave, and Monsters Inc.
The father of two is currently married to Julie Blichfeldt and is an outdoor enthusiast and philanthropist.
George Wendt
Norm Peterson probably had the largest tab at the bar, which was a running gag on Cheers. Norm was another regular at Cheers and was a former accountant who lost his job after he defended Diane from his boss.
Eventually, Norm does become a house painter but his tab is so large that it has to be calculated by NASA. George Wendt portrayed the iconic character, with Norm becoming his signature role. Following this, Wendt had his own show called The George Wendt Show, as well as landing roles in films and shows such as Dennis the Menace Strikes Again, Kids in America, The Goldbergs, and Fresh Off The Boat.
Kirstie Alley
Following the departure of Shelly Long, the Sam/Diane story-line was put on halt and a new female foil was introduced who would serve as Sam's love interest. Rebecca Howe, portrayed by Kirstie Alley, filled in as the new waitress and immediately took a disliking towards Sam.
Throughout her time at Cheers, Rebecca does eventually give into Sam's advances and the two began a relationship. Alley's performance as Rebecca was met with acclaim and earned her an Emmy Award. Alley's career expanded with roles in popular films like Look Who's Talking, Shoot To Kill, For Richer or Poorer, and It Takes Two.
Most recently, Alley had a role in Ryan Murphy's comedy-horror series, Scream Queens.
Bebe Neuwirth
Bebe Neuwirth portrayed Lilith Sternin on Cheers and Fraiser. Lilith first appeared on Cheers as a date for Fraiser, though it doesn't go well, the two reconnect and eventually marry and have a son together. Lilith ends up cheating on Fraiser and divorcing him, leading to the events in the spin-off show Fraiser.
The actress and singer spent some time on Broadway before joining the cast of Cheers. Following her portrayal of Lilith, Neuwirth starred in various films and shows, including Jumanji, Summer of Sam, The Faculty, Blue Bloods, and Madam Secretary.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTEq6CcoJWowW%2BvzqZmrZ2cmsOqv8iopWibmJqys7%2BMnJisrF2staa%2BxGalqK9dpbakwNSrnKxlpJqxbrDAp6qopl2cv6K5zJ6paA%3D%3D