John Mahoney, the father from “Frasier,” has passed away at 77
Sad news for television fans: The actor best known as the dad on Frasier, John Mahoney, has passed away at the age of 77. Mahoney’s role as the resident grump on Frasier saw him hilariously spar with his stuffy adult sons, often from a now-iconic reclining chair.
Paul Martino, the actor’s longtime manager, confirmed that John Mahoney had passed away at home, Variety reports. At the time of his death, Mahoney was in hospice care in Chicago, and his cause of death remains unknown.
Mahoney was an English actor who made a home for himself in Chicago. He was never married and did not have children, but enjoyed a long and fruitful career for more than 30 years. While he’s instantly recognizable as Marty Crane — a role he played between 1993 and 2004 that earned him two Golden Globes nods — many fans have taken to Twitter to reminisce about his roles in Barton Fink, Moonstruck, HBO series In Treatment, and more.
The famed actor is also known for Say Anything andHot in Cleveland and, as Variety points out, he enjoyed a successful career as a voice actor with credits in Antz and Atlantis, among others. Many fans are choosing to mourn him on Twitter by sharing favorite moments from Frasier and his many other projects.
One writer even tweeted that Mahoney was the “perfect comic actor” because of his natural ability.
John Mahoney. The perfect comic actor because you saw no acting. What a legacy: the argument with Frasier when they act Jewish, saying “love ya” to his mate but not his kids, the Daphne impression etc etc. Genius. RIP.
— David Schneider (@davidschneider) February 5, 2018
It is with our deepest sorrow that we share the news that ensemble member of 39 years John Mahoney passed away. Tonight’s opening night performance of You Got Older has been cancelled. We are instead inviting all to gather in Front Bar this evening. All are welcome to join us. pic.twitter.com/k8yrrR7ICA
— Steppenwolf Theatre (@SteppenwolfThtr) February 6, 2018
He was Dad to Frasier and Niles (AND Diane Court) but also a Father figure to us all. Rest In Peace, John Mahoney! https://t.co/Bj25Ppd4n6
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) February 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/960667749759397889
RIP, John Mahoney. His turn in MOONSTRUCK has long affected me—it's a role I wish more people knew and appreciated. pic.twitter.com/YwPjhOE7G6
— Erin Blakemore (@heroinebook) February 5, 2018
So sorry to hear of John Mahoney's passing. Met him once at Steppenwolf (brilliant in The Seafarer), got a chance to praise his work in Say Anything, et al. RIP.
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) February 5, 2018
Terrible news –
A wonderful artist & man – so kind & generous – RIP https://t.co/R3pAsWtsnW— John Cusack (@johncusack) February 5, 2018
The actors who played his TV sons for more than a decade — Kelsey Grammer and David Hyde Pierce — are not particularly active on social media. At this time, neither have made an official statement about Mahoney’s passing.
For our part, we’ll be sitting back in out favorite unappealing easy chair, and appear baffled by our family members tonight. It’s what Marty Crane would have wanted.
Our thoughts are with John Mahoney’s loved ones.