---
name: "Kelsey Grammer"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/kelsey-grammer"
fi1m_id: "kelsey-grammer"
imdb_id: "nm0001288"
tmdb_id: 7090
wikidata_id: "Q196560"
roles: ["Actor","Director"]
born: "21 February 1955"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 12
average_fi1m_score: 65
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 10
updated: "2026-10-22T03:23:12.836338+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Kelsey Grammer

## Identity

Kelsey Grammer

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/kelsey-grammer
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** kelsey-grammer
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001288
- **TMDB ID:** 7090
- **Wikidata ID:** Q196560
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelsey_Grammer, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q196560, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001288/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7090

Actor and director. Born 21 February 1955 in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor, Director
- **Born:** 21 February 1955, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
- **Active:** 1982–present
- **Also known as:** Kilmer Ghoulsman, Klarc Glamour, Allen Kelsey Grammer, Аллен Келси Грэммер
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 12: 10 acting, 2 directing
- **Frequently works with:** [Andy Ackerman](https://film.one/person/andy-ackerman.md), [Dan O'Shannon](https://film.one/person/dan-oshannon.md), [David Angell](https://film.one/person/david-angell.md), [David Isaacs](https://film.one/person/david-isaacs.md), [David Lee](https://film.one/person/david-clark-lee.md), [David Lloyd](https://film.one/person/david-lloyd.md), [David Pollock](https://film.one/person/david-pollock.md), [Elias Davis](https://film.one/person/elias-davis.md)
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 5 Emmys (5 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 65, as actor, over 10 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 88 (1), 1990s 80 (3), 2000s 73 (3), 2010s 59 (3), 2020s 48 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 64 to 62 across 9 titles
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 4 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 7 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 5, Adventure 4, Action 3, Animation 3, Family 3, Science Fiction 3
- **Screen time:** 13 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $2,561m across 7 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelsey_Grammer, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q196560, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001288/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7090

## Coming up

- *Avengers: Doomsday* (2026-12-16), as Dr. Henry 'Hank' McCoy / Beast — [page](https://film.one/film/avengers-doomsday.md)

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*Toy Story 2*](https://film.one/film/toy-story-2.md) (89), [*Everybody Hates Chris*](https://film.one/tv/everybody-hates-chris.md) (80), [*Anastasia*](https://film.one/film/anastasia.md) (64), [*X-Men: The Last Stand*](https://film.one/film/x-men-the-last-stand.md) (54)
- **Apple TV:** [*Cheers*](https://film.one/tv/cheers.md) (88), [*Transformers: Age of Extinction*](https://film.one/film/transformers-age-of-extinction.md) (38)
- **Hulu:** [*Frasier*](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md) (88)
- **Netflix:** [*Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia*](https://film.one/tv/trollhunters-tales-of-arcadia.md) (80)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Kelsey Grammer

> Kelsey Grammer makes self-importance funny by letting us see how easily it can be wounded. We rate him highest when equally precise actors are there to interrupt him; the original *Frasier* gives him exactly that company.

Frasier Crane carries on explaining himself after everyone else has understood quite enough. Kelsey Grammer makes the speech grander without hiding the embarrassment beneath it, and that is why we find this exhausting man such good company. He joined *Cheers* (1982) in 1984, with a recurring part that became a regular one. Moving the character to Seattle for *Frasier* (1993) gave him a family ready to question every qualification he added to a sentence. Grammer keeps him hopeful that another explanation will help.

David Hyde Pierce, as Niles Crane, knows how long to let him carry on. We laughed at Niles's disapproval before Pierce had said a word, because his pause let Frasier go on enjoying his own explanation. John Mahoney, as Martin Crane, answers with a plainness that makes the father seem fully attentive rather than merely impatient for his joke. Grammer leaves both actors room, and their responses give him reasons to make Frasier more ridiculous. Roy Christopher's production design helps too: the fussily chosen furniture looks right for a man expecting his taste to be discussed.

Sideshow Bob in *The Simpsons*, a role he began in 1990, puts Grammer's voice to work on menace as well as comedy. His animation work also includes the Prospector in *Toy Story 2* (1999), a film we admire for giving its comedy the toys' fear of being forgotten. He also took a dramatic lead in *Boss* (2011–2012), a departure from a film career largely spent in supporting roles.

There are limits to the pleasure, particularly when *Frasier* lets a misunderstanding continue past its last good joke. Grammer's willingness to look foolish cannot make every extra explanation worthwhile. The complaints about the 2023 revival's missing original ensemble make sense to us: Pierce and Mahoney did much more than wait for the lead to finish. Begin with the original *Frasier*, and give the rest of the household equal attention.

## Biography

Kelsey Grammer is an American actor. He is known for portraying Dr Frasier Crane on the NBC sitcom *Cheers* (1984–1993) and its spin-off *Frasier* (1993–2004, revived 2023–2024), a role he originated and played for more than twenty years across the two series. He also directed more than thirty episodes of *Frasier*.

Grammer trained as an actor at the Juilliard School and the Old Globe Theatre. He made his professional stage debut as Lennox in the 1981 Broadway revival of *Macbeth* and later appeared as Cassio in a 1982 revival of *Othello* opposite Christopher Plummer and James Earl Jones. His other stage credits include productions of *Sunday in the Park with George*, *Sweeney Todd* and *My Fair Lady*.

In film and television he has voiced characters including Sideshow Bob on *The Simpsons* and roles in *Toy Story 2* (1999) and *Anastasia* (1997). He has received six Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Tony Award.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, britannica.com.*

## On Fi1m (12)

### Performed in (10) — the average rests on these

- *Young Washington* (2026), Fi1m 33, as Lord Fairfax — [page](https://film.one/film/young-washington.md)
- *The Marvels* (2023), Fi1m 63, as Dr. Henry 'Hank' McCoy / Beast — [page](https://film.one/film/the-marvels.md)
- *Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising* (2016), Fi1m 58, as Shelby's Dad — [page](https://film.one/film/neighbors-2-sorority-rising.md)
- *Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia* (2016), Fi1m 80, as Blinky (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/trollhunters-tales-of-arcadia.md)
- *Transformers: Age of Extinction* (2014), Fi1m 38, as Harold Attinger — [page](https://film.one/film/transformers-age-of-extinction.md)
- *30 Rock* (2006), Fi1m 86, as Kelsey Grammer — [page](https://film.one/tv/30-rock.md)
- *X-Men: The Last Stand* (2006), Fi1m 54, as Dr. Henry 'Hank' McCoy / Beast — [page](https://film.one/film/x-men-the-last-stand.md)
- *Toy Story 2* (1999), Fi1m 89, as Prospector (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story-2.md)
- *Anastasia* (1997), Fi1m 64, as Vladimir (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/anastasia.md)
- *Cheers* (1982), Fi1m 88, as Frasier Crane — [page](https://film.one/tv/cheers.md)

### Directed (2)

- *Everybody Hates Chris* (2005), Fi1m 80, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/everybody-hates-chris.md)
- *Frasier* (1993), Fi1m 88, as Frasier Crane — [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md)

## Complete filmography (138)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Avengers: Doomsday* (2026), as Dr. Henry 'Hank' McCoy / Beast — coming soon, [page](https://film.one/film/avengers-doomsday.md)
- *The Great American Journey* (2026), series, Executive Producer
- *Young Washington* (2026), as Lord Fairfax — Fi1m 33, [page](https://film.one/film/young-washington.md)
- *Turbulence* (2025), as Harry
- *Karen Kingsbury's The Christmas Ring* (2025), as Mr. Miller
- *The Hunting Party* (2025), series, as Noah Cyrus
- *Wish You Were Here* (2025), as Dad
- *Lars Shrike Walks The Night* (2024), as Lars
- *The Most Wonderful Time of the Year* (2024), as Sideshow Bob (voice)
- *Murder Company* (2024), as General Haskel
- *Wanted Man* (2024), as Brynner
- *The History of 'A Christmas Carol'* (2023), as Host
- *The Marvels* (2023), as Dr. Henry 'Hank' McCoy / Beast — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/the-marvels.md)
- *Frasier* (2023), series, as Frasier Crane · Executive Producer, Director
- *Office Race* (2023), as Coach B
- *Jesus Revolution* (2023), as Chuck Smith
- *The 12 Days of Christmas Eve* (2022), as Brian Conway · Executive Producer
- *Christmas in Paradise* (2022), as James Christmas
- *Flowers in the Attic: The Origin* (2022), series, as Garland Foxworth
- *High Expectations* (2022), Actor
- *Miss Willoughby and the Haunted Bookshop* (2022), as Robert Thompson
- *Phat Tuesdays: The Era of Hip Hop Comedy* (2022), series, Executive Producer
- *Father Christmas Is Back* (2021), as James Christmas
- *The Ghost and Molly McGee* (2021), series, as Abraham Lincoln (voice)
- *Charming the Hearts of Men* (2021), as The Congressman
- *Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans* (2021), as Blinky (voice)
- *Dr. Death* (2021), series, as Dr. Geoffrey Skadden (voice), Dr. Geoffrey Skadden
- *The God Committee* (2021), as Dr. Andre Boxer · Executive Producer
- *Show of Titles* (2021), as "Hello, Dolly!" Performer
- *The Space Between* (2021), as Micky Adams
- *Money Plane* (2020), as Darius 'The Rumble' Grouch
- *Wizards: Tales of Arcadia* (2020), series, as Blinky (voice)
- *Grand Isle* (2019), as Detective Jones
- *You're Not a Monster* (2019), series, as John Seward · Executive Producer
- *Carol's Second Act* (2019), series, as Richard Kenney
- *Proven Innocent* (2019), series, as Gore Bellows
- *Like Father* (2018), as Harry Hamilton
- *7 Guardians of the Tomb* (2018), as Mason
- *Porters* (2017), series, as Mendel Dolem
- *Trollhunters: Happy Birthday to You!* (2017), as Blinky Galadrigal (voice) (uncredited)
- *The Last Tycoon* (2017), series, as Pat Brady
- *The Paley Center Salutes NBC's 90th Anniversary* (2017), as Host
- *Bunyan and Babe* (2017), as The Amazing Blackstone / Norm Blandsford (voice)
- *Trollhunters: New Year's Eve Countdown* (2016), as Blinky Galadrigal (voice)
- *Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia* (2016), series, as Blinky (voice) — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/trollhunters-tales-of-arcadia.md)
- *Storks* (2016), as Hunter (voice)
- *Breaking the Bank* (2016), as Charles
- *Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising* (2016), as Shelby's Dad — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/neighbors-2-sorority-rising.md)
- *Baby, Baby, Baby* (2015), as Sebastian
- *Best of Enemies* (2015), as Voice of William F. Buckley
- *Entourage* (2015), as Kelsey Grammer
- *Killing Jesus* (2015), as King Herod
- *Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt* (2015), series, as Kelsey Grammer (voice) — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/unbreakable-kimmy-schmidt.md)
- *One Day in Auschwitz* (2015), as Narrator (voice)
- *The Expendables 3* (2014), as Bonaparte
- *Partners* (2014), series, as Allen Braddock · Executive Producer, Director
- *Transformers: Age of Extinction* (2014), as Harold Attinger — Fi1m 38, [page](https://film.one/film/transformers-age-of-extinction.md)
- *Think Like a Man Too* (2014), as Lee Fox (uncredited)
- *X-Men: Days of Future Past* (2014), as Hank McCoy / Beast (uncredited) — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/x-men-days-of-future-past.md)
- *Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return* (2014), as The Tin Man (voice)
- *Reach Me* (2014), as Angelo Aldo Brandini
- *Until They Are Home* (2012), as Narrator
- *Boss* (2011), series, as Tom Kane · Executive Producer
- *I Don't Know How She Does It* (2011), as Clark Cooper
- *Crazy on the Outside* (2010), as Frank
- *Hank* (2009), series, as Hank Pryor · Director, Producer
- *Modern Family* (2009), series, as Keifth — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/modern-family.md)
- *Fame* (2009), as Mr. Martin Cranston
- *Middle Men* (2009), as Frank Griffin
- *An American Carol* (2008), as General George S. Patton
- *Swing Vote* (2008), as President Andrew Boone
- *Back to You* (2007), series, as Chuck Darling · Producer
- *Even Money* (2007), as Detective Brunner
- *30 Rock* (2006), series, as Kelsey Grammer — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/30-rock.md)
- *The Game* (2006), series, Producer
- *Generation Boom* (2006), series, Actor
- *X-Men: The Last Stand* (2006), as Dr. Henry 'Hank' McCoy / Beast — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/x-men-the-last-stand.md)
- *Everybody Hates Chris* (2005), series, Director — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/everybody-hates-chris.md)
- *Out of Practice* (2005), series, Director
- *The Good Humor Man* (2005), as Mr. Skibness
- *Kelsey Grammer Presents: The Sketch Show* (2005), series, as Producer
- *Medium* (2005), series, as Bob Sherman / Angel of Death · Producer
- *A Christmas Carol* (2004), as Ebenezer Scrooge
- *Frasier: Analyzing the Laughter* (2004), as Dr. Frasier Crane · Director
- *Teacher's Pet* (2004), as Dr. Ivan Krank (voice)
- *Barbie of Swan Lake* (2003), as Rothbart (voice)
- *Gary the Rat* (2003), series, as Gary Andrews
- *The Big Empty* (2003), as Agent Banks
- *Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor* (2003), as George Washington
- *No Safe Place: Six Lives Forever Changed* (2003), as Narrator
- *Mr. St. Nick* (2002), as Nick St. Nicholas
- *Just Visiting* (2001), as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
- *15 Minutes* (2001), as Robert Hawkins
- *The Sports Pages* (2001), as Howard Greene
- *Girlfriends* (2000), series, as Kelsey Grammer · Producer
- *Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas* (1999), as Narrator (voice)
- *Toy Story 2* (1999), as Prospector (voice) — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story-2.md)
- *The Hand Behind the Mouse: The Ub Iwerks Story* (1999), as Narrator
- *Animal Farm* (1999), as Snowball (voice)
- *Stark Raving Mad* (1999), series, as Professor Tuttle
- *Bartok the Magnificent* (1999), as Zozi (voice)
- *Standing on Fishes* (1999), as Richard Verk
- *New Jersey Turnpikes* (1999), Actor
- *The Real Howard Spitz* (1998), as Howard Spitz
- *The Pentagon Wars* (1998), as General Partridge
- *Anastasia* (1997), as Vladimir (voice) — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/anastasia.md)
- *Fired Up* (1997), series, as Tom Whitman · Producer
- *Just Shoot Me!* (1997), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *London Suite* (1996), as Sydney Nichols
- *Down Periscope* (1996), as Lt. Commander Tom Dodge
- *TFI Friday* (1996), series, Actor
- *Kelsey Grammer Salutes Jack Benny* (1995), Actor
- *Runaway Brain* (1995), as Dr. Frankenollie (voice)
- *The American Revolution* (1994), series, as Benedict Arnold
- *The Innocent* (1994), as Det. Frank Barlow · Executive Producer
- *Beyond Suspicion* (1993), as Ron McNally
- *Frasier* (1993), series, as Frasier Crane · Director, Executive Producer — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md)
- *Galaxies Are Colliding* (1992), as Peter
- *Roc* (1991), series, Actor
- *Baby Talk* (1991), series, Actor
- *Disneyland's 35th Anniversary Celebration* (1990), as Dr. Frasier Crane
- *The Earth Day Special* (1990), as Dr. Frasier Crane
- *Wings* (1990), series, as Frasier Crane
- *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Sideshow Bob (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md)
- *Mickey's 60th Birthday* (1988), as Dr. Frasier Crane
- *Dance 'Til Dawn* (1988), as Ed Strull
- *Star Trek: The Next Generation* (1987), series, as Captain Morgan Bateson — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-the-next-generation.md)
- *J.J. Starbuck* (1987), series, Actor
- *Crossings* (1986), series, as Craig Lawson
- *The NBC All Star Hour: Let's All Be There* (1985), Actor
- *Kate & Allie* (1984), series, Actor
- *Kennedy* (1983), series, as Stephen Smith
- *Cheers* (1982), series, as Frasier Crane — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/cheers.md)
- *The Wonderful World of Disney* (1954), series, as Dr. Frasier Crane
- *Hell Ride*, Actor
- *A Dog's Life*, series, Actor
- *The Last Firefighter*, as Jim
- *Ethan Almighty*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Kelsey Grammer](https://film.one/media/person/61672/gallery-170e25e827ca.jpg) Kelsey Grammer — Greg2600, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Kelsey_Grammer_2016.jpg/1280px-Kelsey_Grammer_2016.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Kelsey Grammer (2026)](https://film.one/media/person/61672/gallery-4092e0205e03.jpg) Kelsey Grammer (2026) — Exchanges Photos, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/%22Young_Washington%22_Film_Screening_at_National_Portrait_Gallery_%2855377269637%29.jpg/1280px-%22Young_Washington%22_Film_Screening_at_National_Portrait_Gallery_%2855377269637%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Kelsey Grammer (2026)](https://film.one/media/person/61672/gallery-7700f8cf3fac.jpg) Kelsey Grammer (2026) — Exchanges Photos, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/%22Young_Washington%22_Film_Screening_at_National_Portrait_Gallery_%2855378208626%29.jpg/1280px-%22Young_Washington%22_Film_Screening_at_National_Portrait_Gallery_%2855378208626%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Kelsey Grammer (2026)](https://film.one/media/person/61672/gallery-1363765e9af7.jpg) Kelsey Grammer (2026) — Exchanges Photos, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a6/%22Young_Washington%22_Film_Screening_at_National_Portrait_Gallery_%2855378208671%29.jpg/1280px-%22Young_Washington%22_Film_Screening_at_National_Portrait_Gallery_%2855378208671%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Kelsey Grammer](https://film.one/media/person/61672/gallery-8f45c8eb5162.jpg) Kelsey Grammer — Image via TMDB
- ![Kelsey Grammer](https://film.one/media/person/61672/gallery-525ebb086470.jpg) Kelsey Grammer — Image via TMDB
- ![Kelsey Grammer](https://film.one/media/person/61672/gallery-779bce006993.jpg) Kelsey Grammer — Image via TMDB
- ![Kelsey Grammer (2026)](https://film.one/media/person/61672/gallery-3898b92890f5.jpg) Kelsey Grammer (2026) — Exchanges Photos, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/32/%22Young_Washington%22_Film_Screening_at_National_Portrait_Gallery_%2855378333788%29.jpg/1280px-%22Young_Washington%22_Film_Screening_at_National_Portrait_Gallery_%2855378333788%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Kelsey Grammer (2026)](https://film.one/media/person/61672/gallery-68926ee4ddf7.jpg) Kelsey Grammer (2026) — Exchanges Photos, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f7/%22Young_Washington%22_Film_Screening_at_National_Portrait_Gallery_%2855378333908%29.jpg/1280px-%22Young_Washington%22_Film_Screening_at_National_Portrait_Gallery_%2855378333908%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Kelsey Grammer](https://film.one/media/person/61672/gallery-82a9517651f4.jpg) Kelsey Grammer — Image via TMDB
- ![Kelsey Grammer](https://film.one/media/person/61672/gallery-f61002b95389.jpg) Kelsey Grammer — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 5 won

- 2006: Outstanding Voice-Over Performance (won), for *The Simpsons*
- 2004: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (won), for *Frasier*
- 1998: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (won), for *Frasier*
- 1995: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (won), for *Frasier*
- 1994: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (won), for *Frasier*

### Other awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical 2010: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (nominated)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/kelsey-grammer