For decades, Cheers stood as a beacon of classic television—a show that made us laugh, made us feel at home, and introduced us to unforgettable characters like Sam Malone, Diane Chambers, and Frasier Crane. But now, at 70, Kelsey Grammer is revealing the painful and often tragic truths behind the beloved sitcom’s set.

In a recent interview, Grammer shared how his time on Cheers was fraught with personal battles, addiction, and backstage power struggles—things that no one knew while the cameras were rolling and the laughs were echoing in living rooms across the country.

When Cheers first aired in 1982, it was a disaster. With a low ranking of 77th out of 100 prime-time shows, NBC was ready to pull the plug. But they decided to give it another shot, and that gamble led to TV history. By its third season, Cheers had found its rhythm, and the addition of Kelsey Grammer as Frasier Crane brought in new energy and tension. However, behind the scenes, things weren’t as smooth as they appeared.

Grammer reveals that he was struggling with grief after the tragic murder of his younger sister. This personal pain haunted him daily. To cope, he turned to alcohol. What started as an occasional drink soon became a crutch that would accompany him on set. His battle with addiction became a quiet storm, with Grammer admitting to showing up to rehearsals hungover and, in some cases, still intoxicated. The pressure began to mount, and in 1990, he was arrested for DUI and drug possession—a public crack in the façade of the perfect TV show.

Tensions on set weren’t limited to Grammer’s struggles. Shelley Long, who played Diane Chambers, reportedly felt threatened by the sudden popularity of Frasier. Though Long has denied the claims, Grammer believes she pushed to have him written off the show. He admits he often felt like an outsider, adding to the weight of his personal battles. Frasier Crane was initially meant to be a temporary character to stir up drama between Diane and Sam, but Grammer’s portrayal resonated with audiences, and what was meant to be a short-term role quickly became a long-term fixture.

The tension between Grammer and Long wasn’t the only difficulty on set. The beloved character Coach, played by Nicholas Colasanto, was the heart of Cheers, offering warmth and loyalty to the otherwise chaotic environment of the bar. Off-screen, however, Colasanto was struggling with severe heart disease. In 1985, after missing several episodes and requiring oxygen on set, he tragically passed away from a heart attack. The cast was devastated, and instead of recasting the role, the producers honored Colasanto’s memory. A photo of his character, Geronimo, which had been kept in his dressing room, remained visible behind the bar in every scene, a subtle tribute to a man who helped make Cheers what it was.

For Grammer, Cheers was both a lifeline and a burden. It provided him with structure and a defining role but also allowed him to hide from his personal demons. As long as the show was successful, no one asked too many questions. Behind the laughter and the charm, there were real struggles—addiction, grief, and the constant pressure of fame.

Grammer’s honesty in reflecting on his time on Cheers offers a glimpse into the emotional toll of fame and the harsh realities that even the most iconic shows are built on. It’s a reminder that behind every unforgettable sitcom, there are people who are just trying to hold it together, even when everything is falling apart.

The next time you revisit Cheers, remember that the characters weren’t just acting. They were living, and sometimes, they were struggling too.