John Mahoney, Star of ‘Frasier,’ Dead At 77

One of the most popular dads in television history has died.

John Mahoney, best known for playing Martin Crane on Frasier, has died. He was 77.

Per TMZ who broke the news of Mahoney’s death, his publicist said he died in Chicago under hospice care. An exact cause of death has yet to be announced.

Born in England, Mahoney’s acting background included stints on Broadway and in the Chicago theater scene. His resume also included notable film roles in 1988’s Eight Men Out, 1989’s Say Anything…, 1991's Barton Fink, 1994’s Reality Bites, 1995’s The American President and 2010's Flipped.

Of course, he’ll always be known as retired Seattle police officer Martin Crane, the rough around the edges father to hilarious but bumbling snobs Frasier and Niles Crane. Frasier was on the air at NBC for 11 seasons from 1993-2004.  The series 37 Primetime Emmy Awards during its run and was always a critical favorite.

Erica Banas is a lover of classic television and wishes tap dancing would make a serious comeback.