Cheers ran from 1982 until 1993 and became one of the most beloved shows of all-time. The comedy series made household names out of Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Kelsey Grammer, and more. The theme song is one of the most iconic TV theme songs ever.
It’s been 38 years since the show premiered and 27 years ago since the cast bid farewell in the series finale. For many of the cast members, Cheers was just the beginning of their careers. Let's explore how the cast has changed and what they are up to after nearly 40 years.
Ted Danson's Journey as Sam Malone
Ted Danson played the iconic bartender Sam Malone on Cheers for all 11 seasons. He won one Emmy for his performance. Ted went on to star in the popular sitcom Becker, as well as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
His career continued with notable roles in the legal drama Damages and the second season of Fargo. Most recently, he played Michael in the critically-acclaimed sitcom The Good Place alongside Kristen Bell. Ted is set to star in a brand-new sitcom called Mr. Mayor in 2021.
Shelley Long: The Beloved Diane Chambers
Shelley Long played the beloved Diane Chambers. She won the 1983 Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and two Golden Globes. Shelley left the show after season 5 in 1987 but returned for the 1993 series finale and reprised her role in the Cheers spinoff, Frasier.
After her time on Cheers, Shelley starred in several notable movies like Troop Beverly Hills, The Brady Bunch Movie, A Very Brady Sequel, and Dr. T & The Women. She also played DeDe Pritchett on Modern Family and recently voiced Grandma Murphy in the TV series Milo Murphy’s Law.
Woody Harrelson: From Woody Boyd to Oscar Nominee
Woody Harrelson played bartender Woody Boyd starting in season 4. He won an Emmy for his role on the show and has since become an accomplished actor. Woody received nominations for three Oscars for his performances in The People vs. Larry Flynt, The Messenger, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
He starred alongside Matthew McConaughey in the critically acclaimed first season of True Detective. His latest movies include Midway and Zombieland: Double Tap. In 2019, he played Joe Biden for three episodes of Saturday Night Live and is set to star in the upcoming Venom sequel.
Rhea Perlman: A Career Beyond Carla Tortelli
Rhea Perlman played waitress Carla Tortelli for all 275 episodes of Cheers. She won four Emmys for her portrayal of Carla. After Cheers, she starred in movies like Matilda, Canadian Bacon, and Poms.
Rhea reunited with her Cheers co-star Kirstie Alley on the sitcom Kirstie in 2013. She also appeared on The Mindy Project and her latest roles were on The Goldbergs and Harley Quinn.
Kirstie Alley: From Rebecca Howe to a Lasting Legacy
Kirstie Alley joined the cast of Cheers in 1987 as Rebecca Howe. She won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her performance. During her run on Cheers
