Kelsey Grammer Net Worth

What is Kelsey Grammer's Net Worth and Salary?

Kelsey Grammer is an actor, comedian, television producer, director, and writer who has a net worth of $80 million. Kelsey Grammer is best known for his two-decade portrayal of Dr. Frasier Crane on the sitcoms "Cheers" and "Frasier," one of television's most celebrated characters. His career spans more than four decades across television, film, and stage. At the peak of "Frasier," Kelsey was earning $1.6 million per episode, roughly $38 million per season. That was a record salary for a TV actor up to that point and still stands as the fifth-highest per-episode salary ever earned by an actor. Unfortunately, Kelsey has lost tens of millions over the course of multiple marriages and divorces. He paid his third wife, Camille, a reported $30 million in cash and real estate settlements.

Grammer first appeared as Frasier Crane in 1984 during the third season of "Cheers." His performance as the pompous yet endearing psychiatrist earned him critical acclaim and led to the creation of the spin-off series "Frasier" in 1993. The show ran for eleven seasons, becoming one of the most successful and award-winning sitcoms in history, with Grammer receiving four Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.

Before and beyond "Frasier," Grammer built a diverse résumé. He began his professional acting career on stage with the Old Globe Theatre and appeared on Broadway in productions such as "Macbeth," "Othello," and "La Cage aux Folles." On television, he also starred in shows like "Boss," where he portrayed a corrupt Chicago mayor—a role that earned him a Golden Globe Award. As a voice actor, Grammer achieved further fame as Sideshow Bob on "The Simpsons," winning an Emmy for the role.

Grammer has also appeared in numerous films, including "Down Periscope," "X-Men: The Last Stand," "X-Men: Days of Future Past," and "Transformers: Age of Extinction." Behind the camera, he has worked as a producer and director, with credits on series like "Girlfriends" and "Medium." In 2023, he reprised his iconic role in a revival of "Frasier," continuing his long-running association with the character.

Early Life

Allen Kelsey Grammer was born on February 21, 1955, in Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, to Sally and Frank Allen Grammer Jr. His mother was a singer and actress, while his father was a musician and restaurateur. Grammer was raised primarily by his mother and maternal grandparents in New Jersey and Florida after his parents separated. He attended Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, where he discovered a passion for music and theater.

Grammer earned a scholarship to attend the Juilliard School in New York City, but he was expelled after failing to attend classes. His struggles during this period were deeply personal—his life was marked by a series of family tragedies. His father was murdered in 1968, his younger sister, Karen, was kidnapped and murdered in 1975, and his two half-brothers died in a scuba diving accident in 1980. Grammer has often cited these events as profoundly shaping his outlook and emotional depth as an actor.

Early Career

After leaving Juilliard, Grammer joined the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego as an intern, where he honed his craft for three years. He then moved to Minneapolis to perform with the Guthrie Theater, appearing in classical productions including "Othello" and "Macbeth." His Broadway debut came in 1981 in a revival of "Macbeth." These stage experiences cemented his reputation as a classically trained actor with a commanding voice and presence.

Grammer began working on television in the early 1980s, appearing in daytime soap operas like "Ryan's Hope" and "Another World." His blend of theatrical gravitas and comedic timing soon led him to a career-defining opportunity.

"Cheers"

In 1984, Grammer was cast as Dr. Frasier Crane on NBC's hit sitcom "Cheers." He landed the part after a recommendation from his former Juilliard classmate, Mandy Patinkin. Originally intended to appear in just six episodes, Grammer's portrayal of the pretentious but lovable psychiatrist quickly resonated with audiences. He remained a regular cast member through the show's final season in 1993.

"Cheers" became one of television's most beloved sitcoms, and Grammer's work earned him widespread recognition and a Primetime Emmy nomination. His success on the show set the stage for a spin-off that would define his career.

"Frasier"

Following the end of "Cheers," Grammer reprised his role in the spin-off series "Frasier," which premiered in 1993. The show followed Frasier Crane's life after returning to Seattle to host a radio talk show while reconnecting with his father and brother. "Frasier" ran for eleven seasons, concluding in 2004, and became one of the most critically acclaimed sitcoms of all time.

Grammer received 11 consecutive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, winning four times. The series itself won a total of 37 Primetime Emmys. Grammer also performed the show's closing theme, "Tossed Salads and Scrambled Eggs," which became an iconic part of the series.

In 2023, Grammer returned to the role in a Paramount+ revival of "Frasier," bringing the character back to television nearly two decades after the original series ended.

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Other Television Work

Beyond "Frasier," Grammer remained active on television as both an actor and producer. He starred in the Starz drama "Boss" (2011–2012), portraying a corrupt Chicago mayor, a performance that earned him a Golden Globe Award. His other notable TV credits include "Back to You" (2007–2008) with Patricia Heaton, "Partners" (2014), "The Last Tycoon" (2017), "Modern Family" (2017), and "Proven Innocent" (2019).

He has also continued performing on stage in productions such as "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" (2000), "My Fair Lady" (2007), "La Cage aux Folles" (2010–2011), and "Man of La Mancha" (2019).

Film Career

Grammer's film credits span both live-action and voice roles. His notable movies include "Down Periscope" (1996), "X-Men: The Last Stand" (2006), "Swing Vote" (2008), "The Expendables 3" (2014), "Transformers: Age of Extinction" (2014), and "Like Father" (2019).

He has also lent his distinctive voice to a wide range of animated projects, including the films "Anastasia" (1997) and "Toy Story 2" (1999), as well as recurring roles in "The Simpsons," where his portrayal of Sideshow Bob earned him an Emmy. His narration and commercial voice work have been featured in ads for brands like Honey Nut Cheerios, Hyundai, and Dr Pepper.

"Frasier" Salary and Record-Setting Pay

At the height of "Frasier's" popularity, Grammer became the highest-paid actor in television history. For the final two seasons, he earned $1.6 million per episode—about $38 million per season, or $76 million total. Adjusted for inflation, that equals roughly $2.2 million per episode today, making it still one of the largest salaries ever paid to a TV actor.

Producing Career

Grammer founded the production company Grammnet Productions, which produced several successful series, including "Girlfriends" (2000–2008), "The Game" (2006–2015), and "Medium" (2005–2011). He has served as an executive producer on numerous projects, including "Gary the Rat" (2003), "Back to You" (2007–2008), "Hank" (2009), "Boss" (2011–2012), and "Light as a Feather" (2018).

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Personal Life

Grammer has been married four times and, as of this writing, has seven children. His first wife was Doreen Alderman, and they were married from 1982 to 1990. They have one child together. Then, Grammer was in a relationship with Barrie Buckner, and they had one child together, although they never married. His second marriage, to Leigh-Anne Csuhany, lasted less than a year between 1992 and 1993. In 1994, he became engaged to Tammi Baliszewski (a.k.a. Tammi Alexander), and they announced their engagement. However, they did not marry.

His third marriage was to Camille Donatacci, and they were married from 1997 to 2011. They have two children together. Two weeks after the finalization of his third divorce, Grammer married Kayte Walsh. They have four children together, including a baby boy welcomed in October 2025 when she was 46 and he was 70.

Kelsey and Camille Grammer Divorce Settlement

When Kelsey and Camille Grammer finalized their divorce, she received an estimated $30 million worth of cash and real estate assets, including an enormous house in Malibu, which she soon sold for $13 million.

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Real Estate

In 1998, Kelsey and his then-wife Camille paid $4.5 million for an enormous mansion in Malibu. She received this mansion in their divorce and went on to sell it in 2015 for $13 million.

In 2002, Kelsey paid $5.35 million for a ski-in-ski-out mansion in Avon, Colorado. He sold this property in 2013 for $6.6 million.

In 2007, Kelsey paid $13.7 million for a large mansion in Holmby Hills, California. He listed this property for sale a year later for $19.9 million. Real estate records seem to indicate that he still owns this property today. He lowered the offering price to $18 million in 2012, further reducing it to $14.99 million in April 2013 before taking it off the market. This was inadvertently a good move because today, the home is easily worth at least $25 million. Grammer's Holmby Hills home sits on 1 acre of property. The home is 10,567 square feet, with seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms. The home features parquet floors, French doors, heavy beamed ceilings, a gourmet kitchen opening to a family room, gym, and media room with built-in bookshelves and a built-in bar. The master suite has duo dressing rooms and bathrooms. Outdoors, there is a large motor court, stone patios, a vine-covered terrace, and a pool.

In 2010, Kelsey paid $6.4 million for a 3,000-square-foot condo in New York City. He listed this property for sale in 2016 for $9.75 million. About a year later, he accepted a $7.95 million offer for the unit.

In 2012, he bought a Beverly Hills mansion for $6.5 million. He sold this property just a year later for $6.6 million.

He previously owned a large mansion in Kailua, Hawaii, on a golf course within a gated community. He sold this property in 2014 for $10.2 million.

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