Former Cheers centerpiece Ted Danson told it point blank to Seth Meyers in October 2016.
“I hope this is not…the end,” he said in reference to his latest endeavor, The Good Place. Meyers had just finished watching a clip with Danson, then noted the so-obvious-one-would-be-remiss-not-to-mention it symmetry.
This past Sunday marked exactly 25 years since Cheers ended its 11-year run on NBC. One of its core cast members, Kelsey Grammer, prolonged his character, Frasier Crane, for another 11 years in the title role of a Seattle-based spinoff. That show’s successful run enveloped a shorter Kirstie Alley-NBC reunion via Veronica’s Closet.
But otherwise, the actors behind the beloved Boston bar employees and patrons had dispersed from the network. Now with Danson back for another promising NBC sitcom, this week’s Cheers finale anniversary strengthens its magnetic tug on reflection.
Whether they started the series, finished it or both, nine former main-billed Cheers performers have gone on to varied degrees of success. (The 10th, Nicolas Colasanto, tragically died after Season 3.)
For some alums, it is readily apparent why they prefer not to slow down. The majority have mustered at least one gig that rivals the legacy of their shared breakout project.
Based on award wins, nominations and big-name TV or film casting, the five best post-Cheers careers are as follows. Unless otherwise indicated, all filmography and award information is courtesy of the Internet Movie Database. Also note that reprisals of Cheers characters on Frasier or elsewhere do not count for this list’s purposes.
5. Kelsey Grammer
“Hello, Bart.” “Eep.”
It was a long time coming when Grammer, aka Sideshow Bob, collected a Primetime Emmy for voice acting in 2006. He later garnered a BTVA for the same recurring role in 2015.
Between Cheers and Frasier, Frasier Crane easily logged the most screen time of any regular on the former series. Yet for any devout Simpsons enthusiast, Bart’s mortal enemy is Grammer’s true legacy. How he failed to garner hardware much sooner, particularly for his six appearances during the show’s golden age in the 1990s, can be hard to fathom.
And Sideshow Bob is not alone among well-received Grammer characters to overlap with or follow Frasier. While The Boss lasted all of 18 episodes, it landed him a Golden Globe and Gold Derby nomination in 2012.
4. Kirstie Alley
Within one year of Cheers’ closing, Alley won an Emmy for her lead part in the TV film David’s Mother. Three years later she was back in the NBC sitcom realm as the title player on Veronica’s Closet.
After Alley earned an Emmy, Golden Globe, SAG and American Comedy nomination in the show’s rookie year, Veronica’s Closet fizzled. It was over by 2000. But in between, she was also on the 1997 Emmy ballot for The Last Don.
With her glory years likely behind her, Alley has lately generated highlights in the form of one-off spots on Hot in Cleveland and The Middle.
3. Bebe Neuwirth
As Lilith Sternin, Neuwirth nabbed back-to-back Emmys on Cheers’ behalf in 1990 and 1991. She has not won any since, but was nominated in 1999 for the TV movie Dash and Lilly.
Off the screen and on the stage, Neuwirth collected a 1997 Tony for her role in the Broadway production of Chicago. The Drama Desk Awards gave her equal recognition for the same performance as Velma Kelly.
More recently, Neuwirth was a staple on Madam Secretary, playing chief of staff Nadine Tolliver for four seasons. It was a natural next step in dramatic TV acting after she landed repeat spots on Law & Order: SVU, The Good Wife and Blue Bloods.
2. Ted Danson
Danson waited out a five-year gap between Cheers and Becker, then two years between Becker and Help Me Help You. Otherwise, he has never been without a recurring or regular TV role in the last quarter-century.
Some projects were short-lived and unremarkable (e,g. Bored to Death). Others have grown legs but failed to run toward big-time hardware (CSI).
But then there was Danson’s Golden Globe-nominated third season as the title player on Becker in 2001. At the other end of the decade, he was on three straight Emmy ballots and up for a 2008 Golden Globe via Damages.
And now the best may be yet to come for The Good Place after its sophomore season. As it is, Danson won a Gold Derby for his part on the Kristen Bell sitcom this year.
1. Woody Harrelson
Unless you count John Ratzenberger’s constant presence in Pixar movies, only one Cheers alum has been a big name on the big screen.
Harrelson has played a range of real-life figures from Larry Flynt to President Lyndon Johnson. With the former, he landed his first of three Oscar nominations four years after Cheers ended.
This past year, he landed his latest Academy nod via Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. In addition, BAFTA considered him for its equivalent award for the same project.
In between, Harrelson was on the ballot after his performance in 2009’s The Messenger. Shortly thereafter, he landed the role of Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games, reprising it in every sequel.
Harrelson has hardly vanished from TV, though. He made his triumphant return to NBC sitcoms with eight guest appearances on Will & Grace in 2001. In this decade, he has earned Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for both Game Change and True Detective.
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