What is Kelsey Grammer’s Net Worth and Salary?
Kelsey Grammer, an actor, comedian, television producer, director, and writer, has a net worth of $80 million. He is best known for his portrayal of Frasier Crane on “Cheers” and its spin-off sitcom “Frasier”.
During the peak of “Frasier”, Kelsey earned a record salary of $1.6 million per episode, equating to roughly $38 million per season, making him one of the highest-paid TV actors ever.
Unfortunately, Kelsey has lost tens of millions due to multiple marriages and divorces. He paid his third wife, Camille, a reported $30 million in cash and real estate settlements.
Early Life and Personal Tragedies
Kelsey Grammer was born in Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, on February 21, 1955, to Sally and Frank Allen Grammer, Jr. His mother was a singer and actress, and his father was a musician and restauranteur. Grammer was raised by his mother and maternal grandparents in New Jersey and Florida. He attended Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, where he began exploring music and theater. He received a scholarship to study at Julliard School but was expelled for failing to attend classes.
Grammer’s personal tragedies include the murder of his father in 1968, the kidnapping and murder of his only sister Karen in 1975, and the death of his two half-brothers in a scuba diving accident in 1980. These events had a significant impact on his life and contributed to his struggles with substance abuse and mental health issues.
Kelsey Grammer’s Career Highlights
Kelsey Grammer began his acting career in the late 1970s, interning with the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego before joining the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. He made his Broadway debut in 1981 and later became a regular cast member on the NBC sitcom “Cheers” from 1984 to 1993. The character he played, Dr. Frasier Crane, was so popular that he was given his own spin-off show, “Frasier,” which ran for 11 seasons and earned Grammer four Primetime Emmy Awards.
Grammer has also appeared in various films, including “X-Men: The Last Stand” and “Transformers: Age of Extinction,” as well as provided his voice for animated projects like “Toy Story 2” and “The Simpsons.” He has continued to act on stage and has appeared in productions such as “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” and “Man of La Mancha.”
Despite some short-lived TV series like “Back to You” and “Hank,” Grammer has remained a prolific actor, appearing on shows like “30 Rock,” “Boss,” and “Modern Family.” He has also produced his own show, an American adaptation of the British series “The Sketch Show.”
In addition to his acting work, Grammer has provided narration for various commercials, including for brands like Honey Nut Cheerios and Hyundai.
Kelsey Grammer Earned $76 Million for Final Two Seasons of Frasier
For the final two seasons of Frasier, Kelsey Grammer earned $1.6 million per episode, making him the highest paid actor in television history at the time. In total, he earned approximately $38 million per season, or $76 million for the last two seasons alone. While his per-episode salary is now the fifth highest for a TV actor, when adjusting for inflation, he earned the equivalent of $2.2 million per episode.
Grammnet Production
Kelsey Grammer is the owner of the production company, Grammnet Production. The company produced shows like “Medium” (2005-2011), “Girlfriends” (2000-2008), and “The Game” (2006-2015).
Grammer has also served as executive producer for shows like “Gary the Rat” (2003), “Back to You” (2007-2008), “Hank” (2009-2010), “Boss” (2011-2012), “Partners” (2012), and “Light as a Feather” (2018), among others.
Kelsey Grammer’s Marriages and Children
Kelsey Grammer has been married four times and has seven children as of this writing. His first marriage was to Doreen Alderman from 1982 to 1990, and they have one child together. He had a child with Barrie Buckner, but they never married. His second marriage to Leigh-Anne Csuhany lasted less than a year from 1992 to 1993. In 1994, he became engaged to Tammi Baliszewski but did not marry her.
Grammer’s third marriage was to Camille Donatacci in 1997, and they were married until 2011. They have two children together. Shortly after finalizing his third divorce, Grammer married Kayte Walsh, and they have three children together.
Kelsey and Camille Grammer’s Divorce Settlement Worth $30 Million
Kelsey and Camille Grammer’s divorce was finalized, with Camille receiving cash and real estate assets worth an estimated $30 million, including a large Malibu house. Camille soon sold the house for $13 million.
Kelsey Grammer’s Real Estate Ventures
Kelsey Grammer, the famous actor, has invested heavily in the real estate market over the years. In 2002, he purchased a ski-in-ski-out mansion in Avon, Colorado for $5.35 million, selling it in 2013 for $6.6 million.
In 2007, he purchased a large mansion in Holmby Hills, California for $13.7 million. He listed the property for sale in 2008 for $19.9 million and still owns it today. In 2012, he lowered the asking price to $18 million and further to $14.99 million in April 2013. He took it off the market and the property is now worth at least $25 million. The mansion sits on a 1-acre property, spanning 10,567 square feet, with 7 bedrooms, and 9 bathrooms. The property features parquet floors, French doors, heavy beamed ceilings, a gourmet kitchen, gym, and media room. The master suite includes duo dressing rooms and bathrooms. Outside, there is a large motor court, stone patios, a vine-covered terrace, and a pool.
In 2010 he purchased a 3,000 square-foot condo in New York City for $6.4 million, listing it for sale in 2016 for $9.75 million. He accepted an offer of $7.95 million for the unit about a year later.
In 2012, Kelsey Grammer purchased a Beverly Hills mansion for $6.5 million and sold it just a year later for $6.6 million. Additionally, he sold a large mansion in Kailua, Hawaii on a golf course within a gated community in 2014 for $10.2 million.