This Is How Kelsey Grammer Overcame His Tragic Upbringing to Become the Star of ‘Frasier’

Kelsey Grammer starred in Cheers and Frasier, but behind the scenes, his life was marred by tragedy. A series of traumatic family events saw him slide into guilt and depression, causing a life-long battle with substance abuse. His personal life is just as scandalous. Ladies and gentlemen... welcome to the rollercoaster life of Kelsey Grammer.

Allen Kelsey Grammer was born on February 21st, 1955, in Saint Thomas, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. His parents were a talented bunch. His mother, Sally, was a singer and actress. His father, Frank Allen Grammer Jr., was a musician who owned a coffee shop, a bar and grill, a music store, and the Virgin Islands View newspaper.

After the divorce, Sally took Kelsey and his younger sister Karen back to New Jersey. The siblings were raised by their mother and maternal grandparents, Gordon and Evangeline Cranmer. The family later moved to Pompano Beach, Florida to start afresh.

Back on the U.S. Virgin Islands, on April 24th, 1968, Frank Grammer's car was set on fire outside his house. When he went outside to investigate, he was fatally wounded by a man that was trespassing on his property.

Kelsey attended a private prep school called Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Here, he first developed his love and appreciation for performing, singing, and the works of Shakespeare. After being encouraged by his teachers, he showed real promise as an actor.