Frasier star John Mahoney 'leaves behind $5 million-plus estate with 38 potential beneficiaries'

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Frasier star John Mahoney, who died in hospice at 77 last month, has reportedly left behind an estate worth more than $5 million.

Roughly $300,000 of this amount represents real estate, TMZ reported citing legal documents in a probate case filed by Bernard Dowling, a friend of John's.

The potential benefactors, chosen from among the television icon's friends and family, are said to number 38.

Legacy: Frasier star John Mahoney, who died in hospice at 77 last month, has reportedly left behind an estate worth more than $5 million

John had been facing down lung cancer, seizures, brain disease, diabetes and kidney diseases when he died, according to TMZ.

Born in Blackpool nine months after Britain entered the Second World War, he was evacuated from Manchester as a child with his family owing to the Blitz, and relocated to America when he was 18.

On Frasier, he played Martin Crane, the live-in retired father of the title character, a radio psychiatrist played by Kelsey Grammer.

Jane Leeves played Martin's caregiver Daphne Moon, with David Hyde Pierce giving a scene-stealing performance as Frasier's effete brother Niles.

Throwback: On Frasier, he played Martin Crane, the live-in retired father of the title character, a radio psychiatrist played by Kelsey Grammer (left)

The main cast was rounded off by Peri Gilpin as Frasier's radio producer Roz Doyle and Dan Butler as another radio host called Bob 'Bulldog' Briscoe.

Frasier lasted 11 seasons and snagged John two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series, one in 1998 and one in 2003.

In 2000, the show's cast - John included - earned the Screen Actors Guild Award For Outstanding Performance By An Ensemble In A Comedy Series.

Before the TV role that made him a household name, John won a Tony Award in 1986 for his turn in John Guare's play The House Of Blue Leaves.

Happier times: John had been facing down lung cancer, seizures, brain disease, diabetes and kidney diseases when he died, according to TMZ; he is pictured in 2009

He appeared in such movies as Say Anything... and Moonstruck, and frequently acted at the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago, the founders of which include John's fellow sitcom legend Laurie Metcalf.

'He was fragile and he was supposed to be having a routine procedure. But having just beat Stage 3 throat cancer, I think he was just too weak,' explained Steppenwolf director Anna Shapiro, discussing John's final months.

Anna, a friend of John's, said: 'And John was incredibly private. He did not like complaining. He suffered a lot of what he suffered, in private.'

Per the Chicago Sun-Times, she said of his last Steppenwolf play: 'By the time he did The Rembrandt he was clean of cancer. … But other health issues came up and he was just too fragile.'

As seen in 2008: He appeared in such movies as Say Anything... and Moonstruck, and frequently acted at the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago