Beloved Frasier star John Mahoney has passed away in hospice care in Chicago last Sunday, Feb. 4. The actor was 77 years old.

Mahoney's publicist Paul Martino confirms the news, according to The Hollywood Reporter. His death came after a short illness. The renowned actor never married nor had children.

Late Stage And Film Success

Mahoney already had a career as a magazine editor when he decided to quit his job to act professionally at almost 40 years old. He joined Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre, which eventually led him to New York.

Before becoming a fixture on television, the actor took the stage by storm, notably with his role in Orphans, which earned him a Theatre World Award.

He also won the prestigious Tony Award for his role in The House of Blue Leaves in 1986. He continued to pursue theater even post-Frasier with his last appearance in the 2017 run of Steppenwolf's The Rembrandt.

Mahoney also ventured to the big screen with films such as Say Anything, Tin Men, Eight Men Out, Moonstruck, and many others.

Television Work

Despite his success in both stage and the big screen, Mahoney is best known for his iconic role in NBC sitcom Frasier. For 11 seasons, the British-born actor delighted audiences worldwide as the lovable Martin Crane, the father of the titular character Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and his brother Niles Crane (David Hyde Pierce).

The actor won a SAG Award for his role in the hit television series, along with two Emmy nominations and two Golden Globe nominations over his tenure from 1993 to 2004.

Most recently, Mahoney appeared as a recurring character and Betty White's love interest in Hot in Cleveland.

Industry Mourns A Legend

With a few decades of acting experience under his belt, Mahoney has left a mark to fellow professionals in the industry from costars and executives to Frasier fans and comics.

"He was a sweet gentle soul, with a twinkle in his eye," former NBC Entertainment president Warren Littlefield tells Variety. "You just wanted to be near him. There was something emanating from his body that was so warm and wonderful. That was John."

Actors chime in on social media to second the executive's tribute to Mahoney including Say Anything costar John Cusack, The Broken Hearts Club costars Zach Braff and Dean Cain, fellow Steppenwolf Theatre alum Gary Sinise, and many more.

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