1 week Ago
The cast of Cheers could have been very different...
(Picture: Getty) A Hollywood legend who turned down the role of Frasier Crane shared that he 'can't help but wonder' about the path he didn't take. John Lithgow was initially offered the role of the stuffy psychiatrist before the character made his debut in Cheers, but 'wasn't interested', with Kelsey Grammer eventually getting cast. He was definitely a natural with the part and went on to land his own spin-off, simply titled Frasier, which ran for 11 seasons and returned for a revival last year.
In a new interview, John – who went on to star in Terms of Endearment, the Pelican Brief, the Manhattan Project, Raising Cain and many, many more – has reflected on the offer three decades on. Speaking to Radio Times, the 79-year-old was asked whether he ever thinks about 'what might have been' when it comes to the acclaimed sitcom. 'Sometimes,' he replied.
'When it came up, it was my early years in Hollywood, and I'd had two Oscar nominations in two years. There was this chance to play a supporting role on Cheers and my agent and I agreed, "Let's not think about episodic TV." John Lithgow was originally offered the role of Frasier Crane (Picture: NBC) He went on to appear in 3rd Rock From The Sun (Picture: NBC) 'I can't help but wonder about the road not travelled.
But I have so few regrets. For one thing, I did do 3rd Rock from the Sun for six years, which was a glorious experience.' John first appeared as Dick Solomon in 3rd Rock From The Sun in 1996, and remained for six seasons and 139 episodes.
He starred alongside Joseph...
Rishma Dosani.
