Surprising Behind-the-Scenes Stories from the Set of Cheers

Before Kelsey Grammer ever stepped into the bar, the producers had someone else in mind for Dr. Frasier Crane: John Lithgow. Fresh off major film success, Lithgow was their first choice to play the cultured, slightly pompous psychiatrist who’d shake up Sam and Diane’s world.

But Lithgow turned the role down flat. He wanted to stay focused on his movie career and wasn’t interested in doing television at the time. His refusal opened the door for Grammer, whose take on Frasier was so perfect it led to one of TV’s most successful spinoffs. Sometimes a “no” creates the perfect “yes.”