Here’s What The Cast Of Cheers Look Like Now

Can you believe Cheers wasn’t a success when it was first aired? After its premiere on September 30, 1982, ratings were so low that the show was nearly cancelled. And yet it went on to become one of the most iconic sitcoms of all time. It also propelled its cast into TV stardom – but what happened to them once the show was over?

10. Ted Danson – Sam Malone

Before Cheers, Ted Danson was probably best known for being “the Aramis man” from the Aramis cologne ads. Then he got his big break playing Sam Malone. “Cheers was like being shot out of a cannon,” Danson once said.

The roles kept coming

Now while Cheers may have finished over two decades ago, Danson is still much in demand. He’s appeared in big shows like CSI and Fargo, for instance, but he’s also notable for his politics. He’s a devoted Democrat who’s friends with – and has campaigned for – Hilary Clinton.

9. Shelley Long – Diane Chambers

Playing Diane Chambers on Cheers made Shelley Long a multiple award-winning actress, but there were troubles behind the scenes. Ted Danson would later admit that there was “work-level” tension between him and Long.

Controversial departure

Perhaps unsurprisingly, then, Long left Cheers in 1987 amid controversy. She later said it didn’t occur to her that she might “sabotage [the] show” – although as it turned out, Cheers continued on just fine. Now, she still acts and says she regrets nothing.