Cheers is a beloved, feel-good sitcom that centers around the titular Boston bar and the many colorful patrons and workers who socialize there. The celebrated comedy ran from 1982 to 1993 for eleven seasons and received 28 Primetime Emmy Awards during its highly-buzzed about tenure. The show's massive series finale was watched by a whopping 80.4 million viewers, becoming the most-watched episode of the '90s and cementing its legacy as one of television’s most esteemed gems.

The long-running sitcom helped launch the careers of stars like Ted Danson, Woody Harrelson, and Kirstie Alley and continuously lands on numerous critics’ lists of the best TV shows of all time to this day. It has been 30 years since the lovable bar misfits said their goodbyes, so let’s take a look at what the cast has been up to since the final curtain drop.

Ted Danson (Sam Malone)

Cheers Sam Malone
NBC

Ted Danson starred as resident ladies' man and proprietor of the titular Boston bar Sam Malone, who has an arduous will-they-or-won't-they relationship with Diane before later pursuing Rebecca Howe. Throughout the celebrated show's eleven seasons, Danson won two Golden Globes and two Primetime Emmys, and would later reprise his character in cameo appearances in the spin-off Frasier.

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The seasoned actor quickly went on to find more success with lead roles in popular shows such as Becker, Damages, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and Curb Your Enthusiasm, and most recently won audiences over with his portrayal of the devious Michael in The Good Place. He remains a decorated and highly sought-after film and TV star who is also a very vocal activist in ocean conservation and environmentalism.

Shelley Long (Diane Chambers)

Shelley Long in Cheers
NBC

Shelley Long portrayed the chic and savvy graduate student-turned-waitress Diane Chambers, who captured the hearts of both audiences and Sam Malone throughout the show's first five seasons. The book smart Diane was initially a fish out of water at the bar but ultimately came into her own and gained confidence throughout her tenure.

Long decided to leave the sitcom in 1987, partially to spend time with her daughter. In an interview with Where Are They Now, Long said she "didn't want to keep doing the same episode over and over again and the same story. I didn't want it to become old and stale." The Golden Globe-winning actress would go on to appear in shows like 8 Simple Rules, Frasier, and Yes Dear, and most notably as DeDe Pritchett on Modern Family.

Rhea Perlman (Carla Tortelli)

Rhea Perlman in Cheers
NBC

The sassy and feisty cocktail waitress Carla Tortelli constantly complains about the many colorful patrons of the bar and never shies away from making cynical comments about her fellow friends. The wise-cracking Carla is regularly at odds with her arch-nemesis Diane and is close with Sam and Coach throughout the series.

Rhea Perlman won four Emmy Awards for her role and memorably starred alongside her husband Danny DeVito in the '90s fantasy classic Matilda as well as in films like Sing, Funny Face, and You People, and in the sitcom The Mindy Project. Perlman also shared the stage with daughter Lucy DeVito in the off-Broadway play Love, Loss, and What I Wore.

George Wendt (Norm Peterson)

Norm Cheers
NBC

Cheers regular Norm Peterson was famous for giving loud greetings to those at the bar, hilariously announcing his arrival as he sat in the same seat throughout the show's eleven years. The beer-loving, sardonic customer was only one of three characters (along with Sam and Carla) to appear in every episode of the sitcom, hilariously racking up a huge tab during its run.

After the conclusion of Cheers, George Wendt made numerous television appearances in shows like The Simpsons, The Larry Sanders Show, The Goldbergs, and Family Guy, and most recently in the reality singing competition program The Masked Singer.

Nicholas Colasanto (Ernie "Coach" Pantusso)

Coach Cheers
NBC

Nicholas Colasanto was a decorated performer with an impressive acting resume that included roles in films like Raging Bull and Family Plot, and he directed episodes of popular TV shows such as Hawaii Five-O, Bananza, Starsky & Hutch, and Hitch. The World War II veteran became a beloved household name when he took on the role of Ernie "Coach" Pantusso in Cheers, portraying the witty and warm-hearted bartender who had a penchant for being forgetful.

Colasanto sadly passed away on February 12, 1985, from a heart attack following a battle with heart disease, and Woody Harrelson's character was brought on in Season 4 as a tie-in with Coach and to honor his legacy.

John Ratzenberger (Cliff Clavin)

Cliff Cheers
NBC

Local know-it-all and the often insufferable barfly Cliff Clavin was best friends with fellow patron Norm, with the postal worker serving as a fountain of nonsensical knowledge that often exasperated his buddies. John Ratzenberger drew inspiration for the role from a police officer he knew back in his hometown of Bridgeport, Connecticut after the actor initially auditioned for the role of Norm.

Ratzenberger is a beloved Pixar legend, having lent his voice to smash hits like Monster's Inc., Cars, and The Incredibles, and as Hamm in the blockbuster franchise Toy Story. In 2023, he appeared in an episode of Poker Face as Abe the mechanic, opposite Natasha Lyonne.

Woody Harrelson (Woody Boyd)

Woody Harrelson in Cheers
NBC

The dim-witted but charming Woody Boyd arrived at Cheers in search of his "pen pal" Coach and was ultimately hired on as bartender when Sam told him about the lovable character's untimely passing. Having traveled from the Midwest to the Boston bar, the kind-hearted Woody was taken under Sam's wing and quickly became a fan-favorite on the show. Woody Harrelson starred as the aptly named character from 1985 to 1993, earning an Emmy Award and becoming a household name in the process.

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He found immense success in both TV and film, nabbing three Oscar nominations throughout his career and delivering phenomenal performances in movies like The People vs. Larry Flynt, Zombieland, No Country For Old Men, and as Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games franchise. He is set to portray E. Howard Hunt in the upcoming satirical political series White House Plumbers on HBO.

Kelsey Grammer (Frasier Crane)

Kelsey Grammer Cheers
NBC

Cheers breakout star Kelsey Grammer joined the show in the Season 3 premiere, with his character serving as a new love interest for Diane following her breakup with Sam. Frasier Crane was primarily introduced as Sam's main romantic rival for Diane's affections, with the psychiatrist getting swept up in a love triangle with the duo in his early seasons. Many viewers did not initially embrace Frasier, as they believed he came between Sam and Diane, but he would go on to become a popular regular at the bar and with the sitcom.

Grammer was only supposed to appear in a few episodes of Cheers, but his compelling portrayal earned appreciation from executives and his role was extended. The actor was given his own spin-off Frasier in 1993, which ran for eleven seasons and won a whopping thirty-seven Primetime Emmy Awards. Grammer later appeared in shows like 30 Rock, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and Boss, and will once again reprise his role as Frasier Crane in a revival spin-off at Paramount+ later this year.

Kirstie Alley (Rebecca Howe)

Kirstie Alley in Cheers
NBC

After Shelley Long departed the series after five seasons, Kirstie Alley was brought in as Sam's new female foil Rebecca Howe, beating out fellow actresses like Kim Cattrall and Sharon Stone for the role. The often neurotic and delightfully eccentric Rebecca immediately caught the eye of Sam, and he would attempt to pursue a romantic relationship with her throughout much of her time on the show. Alley went on to win both a Golden Globe and Emmy Award in 1991 for her lively performance as the endearing waitress and bar manager.

Alley's popularity skyrocketed when she joined Cheers, with the actress starring in films like Look Who's Talking (and its two sequels), Madhouse, and Sibling Rivalry during its run. She would go on to nab roles in shows like The Last Don, Hot in Cleveland, and King of Queens, and appeared as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars and The Masked Singer in 2022. Alley sadly passed away from stage four colon cancer on December 4, 2022, with her fellow Cheers castmates paying tribute to the late actress.

Bebe Neuwirth (Lilith Sternin)

Lilith Cheers
NBC

The uptight Dr. Lilith Sternin was first introduced as a romantic partner for Frasier during the fourth season, though their date does not go well due to her disdain for the bar and his behavior while in it. Despite a rocky beginning, the duo eventually have a long and complicated relationship that includes them getting married and having a son named Frederick.

Bebe Neuwirth would reprise her role in Frasier, and the actress won two Emmy Awards for her time as the tightly-wound psychiatrist. After the show, she starred in TV dramas like Madam Secretary, Blue Bloods, and The Good Fight, and most recently appeared as Avis DeVoto in the HBO Max series Julia.