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

Nicholas Colasanto, who played the beloved and endlessly sweet Coach, was a recovering alcoholic in real life. Even while working long hours on Cheers, he made it a priority to attend AA meetings regularly, staying committed to his sobriety throughout his time on the show.

His gentle, grounded presence on-screen reflected a lot of the quiet strength he showed off-screen. Cast and crew admired how seriously he took his recovery while still giving Coach that warm, lovable energy fans adored. It added a deeper layer to a character who already felt like the heart of the bar.