Kelsey Grammer’s Daughter Greer Recalls “Meanest Thing” He Told Her

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Kelsey Grammer has had some awkward moments with his daughter Greer Grammer.

The actress, known for her role in Awkward, shared a painful memory of something her father, Kelsey Grammer, said to her. Her parents, Kelsey and Barrie Buckner, divorced when she was four years old, and she didn’t have a relationship with her father for twelve years. She remembered a specific comment he made while trying to explain the lost time that felt especially hurtful.

Greer shared on the Pretty Basic podcast that “Grammer” was originally her last name. She explained that her dad had suggested to her mom – he told her this later – that it might be simpler for her to grow up with a different last name, potentially avoiding difficulties.

She recalled being around 19 when he told her something that made her burst into tears. She explained it was incredibly hurtful – he’d admitted he’d intentionally kept his distance and even told their mothers it would be simpler if she didn’t share his last name.

The 33-year-old also explained how she and Kelsey met again – it happened unexpectedly while she was volunteering at a Christmas tree lot when she was Miss Teen Malibu.

She remembered him approaching her and asking, ‘Are you Greer?’ She replied, ‘Yes.’ He started to introduce himself, but she interrupted, saying, ‘I already know who you are!’

Greer had lunch the following week with her father, who has a large family. He shares 24-year-old Mason and 21-year-old Jude with his ex-wife Camille Grammer, as well as 12-year-old Faith, 10-year-old Gabriel, 8-year-old James, and a two-week-old baby with his wife Kayte Walsh. He also has a 42-year-old daughter, Spencer, with his ex-wife Doreen Alderman.

That’s actually how it all began for us! I was so eager to reach out, but my mom advised me to wait a couple of days. I was practically bursting to say, ‘Let’s make this official – I have a dad now!’ But she gently suggested I give them the weekend to adjust as a family and then make the call. It was hard to be patient, but she was right – it needed a little time to settle.

Greer explained that although she wasn’t financially supported by a trust fund, Kelsey helped pay for her college education, and they currently have a positive relationship.

For his part, Kelsey is eager to make up for lost time.

The 70-year-old recently told People magazine that they hadn’t given enough attention to some of the children in their life, particularly their oldest two, and are now working to strengthen those relationships.

He added at the time, “I’m still their dad, so you can always have [a] chance to show up.”

Keep reading for more about Kelsey’s eight children…

Kelsey Grammer and dance instructor Doreen Alderman married in 1982 and had a daughter, Spencer Grammer, on October 9, 1983.

Kelsey and Doreen split up shortly after their son, Spencer, was born, though their divorce wasn’t finalized until 1990. Kelsey has since acknowledged he wasn’t as involved a parent as he wished he had been at that time.

You know, as a parent, it’s easy to get caught up in everything and sometimes unintentionally drift a little from certain kids. I’ve definitely felt that with my older two. I’m really making a conscious effort now to reconnect and be more present for them. Because at the end of the day, I’m still their dad, and it’s never too late to show them I care and be there for them.

 

Spencer was married to James Hesketh, a firefighter, from 2011 until 2017. They have a son named Emmett, who was born in October 2011.

Spencer, an actress and singer famous for her role in Greek and as the voice of Summer in Rick and Morty, achieved a long-held ambition in 2022 when she acted with Kelsey as his daughter in the movie The 12 Days of Christmas Eve.

This was Spencer’s first time starring in a Christmas movie, and he said it was especially meaningful because he got to do it with his father. He’d always hoped to work alongside him, and this movie finally made that dream a reality, he told TopMob News.

In July 2024, she was saddened by the passing of her former stepfather, Dr. Bill Skinner, who had been a constant presence in her life since she was a child, even after her parents divorced.

Spencer shared on Instagram that his father has always been a constant presence in his life, offering unwavering support. “No matter what I needed, he was there,” Spencer wrote, adding that he always felt loved and encouraged, with his father consistently offering hugs, a listening ear, and belief in his potential.

Kandace Greer Grammer was born Feb. 15, 1992, to Kelsey and makeup artist Barrie Buckner.

The relationship didn’t last long. The Cheers actor married Leigh-Anne Csuhany in September, but he requested an annulment in 1993, ending the marriage.

Greer said in a 2015 interview with Glamour that she mostly had a normal childhood, but she sometimes questioned whether people befriended her for who she was, or because of her father’s fame.

Greer, an actress who appeared on the 2024 revival of Frasier on Paramount+, seems to be repeating her father’s past mistakes, as he recently expressed remorse for not being more present in her life.

In a 2014 interview with Nylon, actress Ashley Rickards recalled attending tapings of the show Frasier when she was about four years old. She knew she was at her dad’s workplace, but didn’t understand he was an actor on television until she was in second grade.

Greer shared that her father, a well-known actor, consistently offered her career advice, but the most valuable was to pursue acting out of genuine passion. He urged her to “act for the right reasons.” He also had a frank conversation with her about the challenges women face in Hollywood, advising her not to let the negativity affect her. She still finds it moving when she remembers his words.

 

Kelsey married Camille Donatacci in 1997, and they had a daughter, Mason Grammer, on October 24, 2001, through a surrogate mother.

When Camille’s marriage ended in 2010, it became a major topic on the first season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, where she was one of the original cast members.

Model and Emerson College graduate Mason shared in 2018 that her parents’ difficult divorce strained her relationship with Kelsey, but they’ve since become close again.

She told Genlux that it was the most difficult period of her life, and it forced her to mature quickly. With her father largely absent and her mother struggling, she felt she had to take on a parental role for her younger brother. The situation created a lot of tension within the family, and her parents still aren’t speaking to each other, according to Page Six.

As someone who’s seen a lot of relationships, I always appreciate when people can acknowledge the good qualities of their exes! That’s exactly what I did recently when talking about my former spouse. I’ve been happily married to David Meyer since 2018, but I happily shared that our son, Mason, was a fantastic student – and I jokingly credited his dad for that! Let’s be real, sometimes I lack that level of discipline, so it definitely comes from him!

Kelsey and Camille welcomed son Jude Grammer on Aug. 28, 2004, also via surrogate.

Kelsey’s youngest son, Jude, is more reserved than his older sisters. However, Camille revealed to Page Six in 2018 that he aspires to follow in his father’s footsteps and become an actor.

She also mentioned that he’s currently not a fan of having his picture taken and actively avoids the camera. Getting a photo of him is a real treat, she said!

Just two weeks after his divorce from Camille became official, Kelsey married flight attendant Kayte Walsh on February 25, 2011.

Kelsey and Camille Grammer welcomed their daughter, Faith Evangeline Elisa Grammer, on July 13, 2012. They previously announced they were expecting twins, but sadly, their son passed away shortly after birth.

Five years later, Kelsey opened Faith American Brewery in upstate New York.

My daughter is named Faith, and that name reflects her spirit – you have to work for what you believe in. We really had to fight to bring this wonderful child into our lives, as she’s our first, and I’m still committed to defending the ideals of America.

Kelsey Gabriel Elias Grammer was born on July 22, 2014. His father shared that he and Kayte were excited to continue expanding their family, now with two children.

When their son, Gabriel, was just five weeks old, Kelsey, who is 25 years older than his wife Kayte, told People magazine that they were already thinking about having another child. He said the experience had been amazing and he couldn’t imagine stopping now. ‘As soon as he came out, Kayte and I were like, ‘Let’s do another one!”

Allen Kelsey Grammer, the actor, also mentioned that he and his family plan to continue a tradition of using their sons’ middle names as their primary names.

Oh my gosh, being around them just fills me with the most incredible feeling! It’s like… it just makes everything feel possible and happy. Honestly, I’ve never felt so truly alive – it’s this amazing, peaceful joy that comes from just being part of their world. I absolutely adore it, it’s everything!

Kayte and Kelsey’s family grew again on Nov. 14, 2016, with the birth of son Auden James Grammer.

And the Frasier star’s older kids were all for it.

Greer shared with Entertainment Tonight, a couple of months before her brother James was born, that her dad had always dreamed of a large family. She said her parents, Kayte and her dad, are wonderful together and clearly adore their children, Faith and Gabe, who she thinks are adorable. She expressed her excitement for them to welcome another baby into the family.

In 2018, Mason told Closer that Kelsey has become a better father with each child. He shared that his father was very strict when he was growing up, but is now much more relaxed with his younger siblings, which Mason finds wonderful.

In an October 2025 appearance on the Pod Meets World podcast, Kelsey announced that he and his wife, Kayte, had recently welcomed their fourth child, bringing their total number of children to eight.

The 70-year-old noted, “It was like three days ago, Christopher that’s just joined the family.”

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2025-12-30 17:51