Beloved Frasier star John Mahoney dead at 77

John Mahoney, one of the most famous television fathers in the television era has died at the age of 77 from complications of throat cancer.

Legendary actor John Mahoney has died at the age of 77.

Most likely, everyone remembers watching Fraiser at some point in their life. In the show, John Mahoney played the father, Martin Crane. His character was the father of Fraiser (Kelsey Grammer) and Niles (David Hyde Pierce). He was known for being “crotchety” or “cranky”. But the actor was so much more than that.

Mahoney was one of the biggest characters on the show — a police officer who was forced to live at home with his son after being shot in the leg. Mahoney would eventually go on to win a SAG Award in 2000, and two Emmy awards for his work on Frasier.

Besides the sitcom that most people know him for, Mahoney was also a Tony Award winner in 1986 and a long time member of Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company. He also had many supporting roles in films such as Say Anything, Eight Men Out and Moonstruck.

Mahoney was born in England in 1940 before moving to Illinois and getting his United States citizenship in 1959. Even though his acting career started out later than some, he made his mark on Hollywood, and maybe even an era.

It seems that, though many people will forever miss the cranky old father confined to a La-Z-boy chair, that entertainment has lost so much more. Broadway has lost an amazing featured actor, and the movies have lost a brilliant and versatile character. And fans aren’t the only people feeling the loss of a friend or a legend tonight. Tweets have already been coming in, and they all echo the same sentiments: How talented Mahoney was and how funny and memorable he was. Hollywood has lost a star tonight, and the ripples will no doubt be felt through to the morning.

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Fans of Mahoney can watch him in the role he’s remembered for the most on Frasier, where all seasons are streaming on Netflix. What was your favorite role of Mahoney’s? Sound off in the comments any memories you have of the late actor.