John Mahoney, 'Frasier' Dad and Steppenwolf Vet, Dies At 77

Actor John Mahoney, a prominent member of Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre who gained national acclaim thanks to his roles in the movie "Say Anything" and the NBC TV series "Frasier," died Sunday at his Oak Park home. He was 77.

Paul Martino, Mahoney's longtime manager, told The Associated Press on Monday that Mahoney's death followed a brief hospitalization. His cause of death has not been released.

“John Mahoney was a fixture on the Chicago stage for over 30 years through countless award-winning performances," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a statement. "Even as his fame grew through his fantastic work in movies and television, John stayed connected to his artistic home here in Chicago in theaters and as a member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Though he will be missed, his work and impact will endure for generations to come.”

Mahoney was born in England but moved to Illinois following a visit to his sister in the 1950s when he was 11. Once in the States, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Quincy College, as well as a master’s degree from Western Illinois University. Before pursuing an acting career — something he didn't do until he was in his 40s — Mahoney worked as a medical journalist.

Meeting actor John Malkovich in an acting class in Chicago led to Mahoney being invited to join Steppenwolf Theatre by Malkovich and actor Gary Sinise, according to the Chicago Tribune. Mahoney joined the theater company as an ensemble member in 1979, according to his Steppenwolf bio.

In 1986, Manhoney won the Tony Award for best actor for his performance in "The House of Blue Leaves." In between his theater work in Chicago and on Broadway throughout the '80s, he landed film roles in "Code of Silence," "Tin Men," "Moonstruck," "Frantic" and "Eight Men Out." But he gained widespread attention and critical as the father of Ione Skye's Diane Court in 1989's "Say Anything … ," which was directed by Cameron Crowe and also starred fellow Chicago actor John Cusack.

In 1993, Mahoney began starring as Martin Crane, the curmudgeonly retired Seattle cop and father of the title character in the "Cheers" spinoff "Frasier." During his 11 seasons on the NBC sitcom, he earned two Emmy nominations and two Golden Globe nominations for his performance in the series.

Settling in Oak Park after moving to the United States from England, Mahoney had a deep love for Chicago.

"The city is almost like a person to me," Mahoney told the Tribune in 2004. "I can't tell you why my heart is so full of Chicago, but it's where I want to be. When I'm not here, I'm not as happy."

Actor John Mahoney at the premiere of "Flipped" on Aug. 2, 2010, in Indianapolis. (Photo by Joey Foley | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images)