My Favorite Cigar
Kelsey Grammer • Actor • Padrón Serie 1926
Forty years ago, Kelsey Grammer appeared for the first time as the character Dr. Frasier Crane on the hit comedy “Cheers.” What was supposed to be a seven-show gig turned into a career-making move and he’s still playing the character today. After “Cheers” came his own show “Frasier,” which lasted for 11 seasons on NBC and then went into syndication. Last year, the show returned in new form on Paramount Plus, a sequel that continues the story that people just can’t seem to get enough of: The Sherry-sipping psychiatrist who is a bit of a dandy. Season two of the show was released in September.
Grammer, 69, who isn’t much like his television alter ego, has said that playing Frasier has been more of a stretch than playing other characters. Yes, he was classically trained at the Julliard School, but he owns a brewery, Faith American Brewing Co., which is in the Catskills, where he spent time as a boy. (The name is a nod to his religion, and the personal trials Grammer has endured: He lost family to violent crimes.) He appeared on the February 2013 cover of Cigar Aficionado (when the photo at left was taken) and today he says Padróns are his favorite, although he doesn’t fire up too often. He even once got into an argument with a fellow aficionado over which line from the company is better, the 1964 or the Serie 1926, and he gives his nod of approval to the 1926.
