Every once in a while, a sitcom comes along that defines an era or a generation. In the '90s, audiences had Friends. In the '80s, however, it was Cheers that dominated television screens in homes across America. The show was names after the real-life bar, Cheers in Boston, Massachusetts.
The show ran for 11 seasons and was a huge success. It also made huge stars out of its cast. Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, and Woody Harrelson all saw their careers blow up as a result of being on the show.
But where is the cast now? What have they been up to in recent years? How have their careers unfolded since the show ended?
Let's find out.
8 Shelley Long
Shelley Long played the role of Diane Chambers on the show. Her character was a bar waitress who had an on-again, off-again relationship with Ted Danson's character, Sam Malone. While her work on Cheers has been an important part of her career, Long did quite a bit of work after the show's run. Long had a recurring role as DeDe Pritchett on the very successful sitcom Modern Family. Her character was the ex-wife of Jay Pritchett, played by Ed O'Neill. In 2021, Long played Sharon Enderly in the film The Cleaner. She also starred in Give Me Pity! in 2022.
7 Ted Danson
Ted Danson played the role of Sam Malone on Cheers. The character was a bartender and former local baseball player. Cheers is widely considered to be Danson's career breakthrough. He appeared in many films and television series after Cheers ended. His most recent role came in 2019, when he was cast in the situation comedy Mr. Mayor. In the show, Danson plays a wealthy businessman who runs for mayor of Los Angeles. His character's decision to run is for all the wrong reasons. The show premiered in 2021 and was canceled after two seasons in 2022.
6 Rhea Perlman
Rhea Perlman played the role of Carla Tortelli in the series. The character was a barmaid that was always wisecracking to the employees and customers. Perlman has gained a lot of success as an actress in the wake of Cheers. She starred in the movie Matilda alongside her real-life husband Danny DeVito. Perlman had a recurring role on The Mindy Project from 2014 to 2017, where she played Annette Castellano, Danny's mother. In 2021, she appeared in Marvelous and the Black Hole. In 2022, she appeared in the film adaptation 13: The Musical.
5 George Wendt
George Wendt played the role of Norm Peterson on Cheers. He appeared in all 275 episodes and received six Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. In the wake of Cheers, Wendt continued acting in television and film. He even made an appearance in Michael Jackson's "Black or White" music video. He has since been doing a lot of stage acting, appearing in productions of Hairspray, The Fabulous Lipitones, and Death of a Salesman. In 2020, Wendt appeared in Stealing a Survivor.
4 Woody Harrelson
Woody Harrelson played Woody Boyd on Cheers. His character was brought in to replace Coach, played by Nicholas Colasanto, who passed away in 1985. The character was a bartender who started appearing in season four of the series. Harrelson was nominated for five Emmys for his performance and won in 1989. He continued to appear on television after Cheers, playing Grace's boyfriend Nathan in several episodes of Will & Grace. Harrelson also acted in countless films. He is set to appear in the film adaptation of The Man with the Miraculous Hands.
3 Kelsey Grammer
Kelsey Grammer played the role of Dr. Frasier Crane on the show. His character even got a spin-off series titled Frasier, premiering in 1993. Grammer is also known as the voice of Sideshow Bob, a recurring character on The Simpsons. Grammer has continued to act in film and television in the wake of Cheers. He recently played Harry Hamilton in Like Father alongside Kristen Bell. He also starred alongside Nicolas Cage as a detective in the film Grand Isle in 2019.
2 Kirstie Alley
Kirstie Alley played Rebecca Howe in the series. Her character was brought on to replace Shelley Long after she left the show. Alley began her role on Cheers in 1987 and stayed on the show until its final season. She was very well-received on the show, winning big at the Emmy Awards. After Cheers, Alley continued to act. She starred alongside Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen in It Takes Two in 1995. Most recently, Alley has made appearances on television. She has appeared in The Goldbergs, You Can't Take My Daughter, and The Masked Singer.
1 Bebe Neuwirth
Bebe Neuwirth played the role of Dr. Lilith Sternin on Cheers. Her character married Dr. Frasier Crane in the show. She also appeared in the spin-off series Frasier, reprising her role. Neuwirth continued to act in television after Cheers and Frasier. She starred in Madam Secretary, a political drama series for four seasons. Neuwirth left the show in 2017 without stating a reason. She even acted in several films over the years, including Jumanji in 1995. She reprised her role as Nora Shepherd in the 2019 film Jumanji: The Next Level. In 2022, she appeared in the HBO Max series Julia.
