When you think of John Mahoney, it's hard not to picture Martin Crane, the grumpy but lovable ex-cop from Frasier. But here's the thing—John himself was nothing like the character he played. According to Wendie Malick, who played his on-screen wife, he was "an absolute delight to be around." She told Closer Weekly exclusively, "He was a real gentleman." John passed away at the age of 77 in February 2018 after battling multiple ailments, including brain disease. Born in England during the chaos of World War II, John eventually moved to the U.S., serving in the US Army before becoming a citizen in 1959.
But here's the kicker—John didn't even start acting until he was 37. Before that, he worked as an English teacher and medical-journal editor. Talk about a late bloomer! As he once put it, "I learned by doing it." And boy, did he ever. John spent years honing his craft at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre before finally breaking through in the film Tin Men in 1987. From there, he went on to deliver unforgettable performances in movies like Moonstruck and Say Anything. But it was his role as Martin Crane that truly cemented his legacy.
Frasier: The Role That Defined a Career
The cast of Frasier.
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John once described Frasier as "a classy gig," and it's easy to see why. He earned two Emmy nominations for his portrayal of Martin, the lovable curmudgeon who adored his dog, Eddie, almost as much as his two highbrow sons, played by Kelsey Grammer and David Hyde Pierce. John never saw the show as anything less prestigious than performing in a play. As he put it, "I didn’t think for one minute it was less prestigious or artistic than doing a play." That level of dedication and professionalism truly set him apart.
A Legacy of Excellence
Wendie Malick, who worked alongside John not just on Frasier but also in The American President and Hot in Cleveland, fondly recalls his passion for the craft. "He found great joy in the craft," she says. Interestingly, despite his knack for playing fathers on screen, John never had children of his own. "He was married to his work," Wendie notes. Even John Cusack, who starred alongside him in Say Anything, remembers him as someone who took a long time to discover his true passion but embraced it wholeheartedly. "He loved performing," Cusack recalls. "He was so happy to be there."
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