Tributes have been paid in memory of Frasier actor John Mahoney, who died this week at the age of 77. His cause of death has now been revealed.
Mahoney was most well known for his role as Martin Crane in seminal sitcom Frasier, where he played the often disgruntled but unpretentious and good-humoured father of the title character and Niles – often outsmarting his well educated sons. The show ran for 11 seasons between 1993 and 2004.
A member of Steppenwolf for 39 years, the theatre company announced his death on social media.
“It is with our deepest sorrow that we share the news that ensemble member of 39 years John Mahoney passed away,” they wrote. “Tonight’s opening night performance of You Got Older has been cancelled. We are instead inviting all to gather in Front Bar this evening. All are welcome to join us.”
Kelsey Grammer, who played the titular character on the sitcom, simply wrote: “He was my father. I loved him.”
TMZ has since reported that Mahoney’s death caused by multiple health complications, which included brain disease and lung cancer.
He was my father. I loved him. pic.twitter.com/3mGcyEMxoy
— Kelsey Grammer (@KelseyGrammer) February 7, 2018
It is with our deepest sorrow that we share the news that ensemble member of 39 years John Mahoney passed away. Tonight’s opening night performance of You Got Older has been cancelled. We are instead inviting all to gather in Front Bar this evening. All are welcome to join us. pic.twitter.com/k8yrrR7ICA
— Steppenwolf Theatre (@SteppenwolfThtr) February 6, 2018
Born in Blackpool where his mother was evacuated to escape Nazi bombing raids during World War Two, Mahoney moved to America as a young man. After serving in the US Army for a number of years, he became a professional actor. He found great success on the stage, admitting in his later life that he preferred theatre work to television.
But it was on the small screen where he won the hearts of comedy lovers for his role as Martin Crane.
“I’ve not known a kinder man nor more brilliant actor,” wrote Frasier casting director Jeff Greenberg. “We were all blessed to have spent 11 glorious years together.”
The great John Mahoney passed away today at age 77. I've not known a kinder man nor more brilliant actor. We were all blessed to have spent 11 glorious years together. pic.twitter.com/hn3SZwuEy4
— Jeff Greenberg (@JeffGreenbergCD) February 5, 2018
Peri Gilpin, who played Roz Doyle in Frasier, shared a photo of Mahoney singing at her wedding – praising his good humour and urging fans to ‘remember him well’.
John singing at my wedding. Watch Moonstruck, Say Anything and/or Frasier or anything you can with him in it and raise a glass to John. Remember him well. pic.twitter.com/Tj3i5B4x13
— Peri Gilpin (@GilpinPeri) February 6, 2018
Director Greg Berlanti hailed Mahoney for being “so kind and supportive of me early in my career”, and helping him to greenlight the movie ‘The Broken Hearts Club’.
“He never wavered in his belief in me – a first time director,” said Berlanti. “And he was even more kind than he was brilliant.”
Devastated by the loss of John Mahoney who was so kind and supportive of me early in my career when we made The Broken Hearts Club…
— Love, Greg (@GBerlanti) February 6, 2018
John helped get it greenlit. He never wavered in his belief in me — a first time director. And he was even more kind than he was brilliant.
— Love, Greg (@GBerlanti) February 6, 2018
I’ve been blessed in my life but can’t imagine a greater blessing than to work with someone as wonderful as John at the start of my career
— Love, Greg (@GBerlanti) February 6, 2018
He set a standard and an example of how talent and warmth and generosity of spirit can all exist in one person.
— Love, Greg (@GBerlanti) February 6, 2018
Other stars to pay tribute included Ben Stiller, John Cusack and Zach Braff.
John Mahoney has moved on. A Great actor. Incredible wicked sense of humor. And someone who made a huge difference in my life and many others. #RIPJohnMahoney #respect https://t.co/SHNHtff6QJ
— Ben Stiller (@RedHourBen) February 6, 2018
He always said – it took him a long time to find out what he loved – and he loved performing – he was so happy to be there – he made everyone around him better and happier each day – blessed to know him https://t.co/d7UKnCzB6c
— John Cusack (@johncusack) February 6, 2018
I was so honored to work with the legendary John Mahoney on “The Broken Heart’s Club.” I was so nervous because “Say Anything” is one of my favorite films ever. He could not have been a kinder man. #RIPJohnMahoney pic.twitter.com/DFp8Dpj6uz
— Zach Braff (@zachbraff) February 6, 2018
As well as Frasier, he also had beloved roles in Cheers and 3rd Rock From The Sun, as well as big screen classics including The American President, Moonstruck, In the Line of Fire, and Say Anything.
Mahoney died at the age of 77 in hospice care in Chicago. He never married and had no children.