Kelsey Grammer has been a fixture in Hollywood for over 40 years. The Cheers and Frasier star holds a record for one of the longest times playing a single character on television.
But before he became everyone’s favorite radio psychologist, the man who played Dr. Frasier Crane had a life that even the most seasoned therapist would struggle with.
Let’s dive into the tragic history of one of America’s most beloved television actors, Kelsey Grammer.
Related: Kelsey Grammer Speaks Out to Defend Roseanne Barr
Kelsey Grammer’s Fraught Childhood
Born in the Virgin Islands in 1955, Grammer was raised by his mother and maternal grandparents in New Jersey. As a young man, Grammer experienced immense loss.
When Kelsey was 13, his father was murdered by a man who set fire to his home while the senior Grammer, his second wife, and four of his children were inside. As Grammer escaped the fire, the arsonist shot him twice, killing him. The man was later found to be criminally insane.
Related: Kelsey Grammer Defies Hollywood To Tell Fans To “Trust In God”
Death Of His Siblings
In 1975, his sister Karen was kidnapped, raped, and murdered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Freddie Lee Glenn, the man behind Karen’s murder, was in the midst of a crime spree that included robbery, rape, and the murder of others. While on trial for his crimes, Glenn blamed LSD for his behavior.
WATCH: Kelsey Grammar talks about father and sister’s murder in ad promoting crime victims’ amendment https://t.co/lcBFyBVvhY pic.twitter.com/g1Fqdrmi22
— The Hill (@thehill) October 22, 2018
Authorities did not identify Karen’s body until Kelsey arrived in Colorado Springs to identify her. Glenn was sentenced to death for the murders until Colorado banned the death penalty. Glenn was up for parole in 2009. Kelsey testified against his parole, stating:
“She was so smart and good and decent. She wrote poetry … We could laugh for hours together… I was supposed to protect her — I could not. It very nearly destroyed me… When we heard this man might be paroled, the suffering began anew.”
Kelsey Grammar says no to sister’s killer’s release nearly 40 years after her brutal murder: http://t.co/AG8I2EyU55 pic.twitter.com/jtLOkM3Hzr
— The New Daily (@TheNewDailyAu) July 30, 2014
I just remembered, Kelsey Grammar’s sister was raped and killed. As awful a story as it gets. I remember reading that it effected him so deeply he thinks it’s one of the reasons he’s an alcoholic. And not even a shred of sympathy from Camille toward another victim?! #RHOBH
— Linda the Good Witch (@hopeashling) April 17, 2019
Karen’s murder has been featured in true crime documentaries and podcasts.
Oh my, I’m watching a episode and it’s about a young woman being killed named Karen Grammar in 1975
?
The sister of Kelsey Grammar https://t.co/Q9t1vNU0Hk— THEE Peach??Pie:?VOTE BETO ??? (@peachisyummy) April 22, 2020
In episode 13, Kendra tells us about the spree killer Freddie Lee Glenn who, in 1975, took the life of Karen Grammer – Kelsey Grammer’s younger sister. pic.twitter.com/lv02hC8kF1
— Be Nice or Die Podcast (@bnodpodcast) January 30, 2020
Researching this story, I had no idea all of what Grammer went through. He has struggled with alcohol for much of his life, and frankly, it is easy to see why.
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