10/11/2025
During the long and celebrated run of Frasier (1993â2004), one of the most emotional behind-the-scenes moments came during the filming of John Mahoneyâs final scene as Martin Crane â the loving, down-to-earth father to Frasier and Niles.
After eleven years together, the cast had become like a real family. Mahoney, who played the gruff but warmhearted ex-cop, was the emotional anchor of the show â both on screen and off. When it came time to film Martin moving out of Frasierâs apartment in the final episode, everyone on set knew it wasnât just Martin saying goodbye â it was John, too.
The scene was simple: Martinâs chair â that worn, plaid recliner that had sat awkwardly amid Frasierâs elegant dĂ©cor for over a decade â was being carried out. When the crew lifted it, a hush fell over the set. Kelsey Grammer, as Frasier, was supposed to deliver a witty farewell line. But as the chair disappeared through the door, his voice caught. For a moment, he couldnât speak.
Mahoney noticed, walked over, and put a hand on Grammerâs shoulder. âItâs all right, son,â he said softly â completely unscripted. Grammer, holding back tears, whispered, âThanks, Dad,â before they finished the scene.
When the director finally called âcut,â no one moved. The entire cast and crew erupted into applause, many of them crying. That take â raw, unrehearsed, and filled with genuine affection â is the one that made it into the final episode.
Years later, when John Mahoney passed away in 2018, Kelsey Grammer said through tears:đRead more: https://tinyurl.com/2rvy94de
> âHe was my father twice â once on screen, and once in life.â
Behind all the witty banter and sophistication, Frasierâs heart was always about love, forgiveness, and family. And that bond â born in laughter, ended in tears â was as real as television ever gets.
