Kelsey Grammer’s Daughter Greer Grammer Details 12-Year Estrangement

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Kelsey Grammer’s daughter is clearing up some misconceptions.

Okay, so everyone assumes I got where I am because of my dad, Kelsey Grammer – you know, Frasier! – and his fame. It’s always ‘nepobaby’ this and ‘nepobaby’ that. But honestly, it’s SO frustrating because it’s just not true! My mom, Barrie Buckner, and I have always worked really hard, and it’s a major misconception about how my career actually started. It’s like, people don’t even see the effort I put in, they just assume it’s all handed to me because of who my dad is. It really bothers me!

Greer recently discussed a common misunderstanding about her life on the Pretty Basic podcast. She explained that people often assume she didn’t know her father growing up, but she finds it difficult to explain the full story. Her father left when she was four years old, and she didn’t reconnect with him until she turned sixteen.

The woman, now 33, remembered briefly seeing the man when she was 11 at a Blockbuster video store. However, she felt too shy to approach him at the time and quickly left.

Greer and his father didn’t really connect until Greer was sixteen. They ran into each other at a Christmas tree lot in Malibu, where Greer was volunteering as part of his community service.

He approached me and asked if I was Greer. I confirmed that I was, and he started to introduce himself, but I interrupted him, saying I already knew who he was. He then gave me his phone number, and we had lunch the following week, which was the beginning of our relationship, as he recalled.

The former Awkward star recalled that all attention turned to her when Kelsey Grammer arrived with his wife at the time, Camille Grammer, and their daughter, Mason, who is now 23. They also have a son, Jude, who is 20.

One of my favorite things about following Greer is her honesty. She recently shared that a boss actually asked if she wanted to quit, but she laughed it off, saying how lucky she was to be young and able to just stick it out. It really showed her resilience and determination – I was so inspired!

She recalled thinking to herself, ‘I’m not going anywhere. If anyone should feel awkward or want to leave, it won’t be me – I didn’t do anything wrong.’ She was just a child at the time and firmly believed she had no reason to feel ashamed, guilty, or uncomfortable.

Greer remembered her dad seemed a little anxious as he approached her. She said, “I think I hugged him, and then he started asking questions.”

Although their close bond didn’t really develop until later, the actress, known for her role in Last Summer, does have some hazy recollections of being a child with her father.

She recalled being taken to the set of Frasier when she was very young—around three years old, she guessed. She joked that she didn’t understand why the actors had to repeat lines so many times. Apparently, her mom had to take her out of the audience because she was being disruptive.

She also recalled a party at her father’s house and him attending her preschool performance of The Wizard of Oz. She noted, “We’ve discussed it, and he remembers it too.”

Greer recounted a conversation with her therapist, who asked if she remembered learning about her father’s absence and if her mother had ever discussed it with her. Greer replied that she didn’t think her mother had, but the therapist suggested she ask. Greer declined, explaining she believed her mind might be suppressing the memory for a reason, though she appreciated the therapist bringing it up.

Greer and Kelsey have become much closer, even appearing together on the new version of Frasier. However, Kelsey has acknowledged he wasn’t always as involved in the lives of his older children, including his daughter Spencer, 41, who he shares with Doreen Alderman.

In a recent interview with People magazine, the 70-year-old admitted they hadn’t given enough attention to some of their children, particularly the oldest two, and are now working to strengthen those relationships.

Kelsey, who shares four children – Faith, 12, Gabriel, 10, James, 8, and newborn Christopher – with his wife Kayte Walsh, said, “I’m still their father, so there’s always a possibility for someone to be present in their lives.”

For a deeper dive into Kelsey’s eight children, you’ll be glad you kept scrolling to read more.

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, and eventually divorced in 1990. Kelsey has since acknowledged he wasn’t as involved a parent as he wished he’d been during those early years.

In a May 2025 interview with People magazine, Kelsey admitted he hadn’t given enough attention to some of his children, particularly his oldest two. He explained he’s working to strengthen those relationships now, emphasizing that a parent can always be there for their kids.

 

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

As someone who loves seeing dreams come true, I was so thrilled to learn about Spencer Grammer’s journey! You probably recognize her from her work on Greek or as the voice of Summer on Rick and Morty. But a real highlight for her was getting to act alongside her father, Kelsey Grammer, in the 2022 film The 12 Days of Christmas Eve. It was a special moment for both of them, and a testament to following your passions!

This was Spencer’s first time acting in a Christmas movie, and he said it was especially meaningful because he got to do it with his father. He’d always hoped they could work on a project together, and this movie finally made that happen, 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 five years old, even after her parents divorced.

He’s honestly been my rock my entire life, always there for absolutely anything I’ve needed. I was so lucky to be his kid. He just had this way of making everything better – a hug, a listening ear, unwavering belief in me, and endless support. He was the best.

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

The relationship didn’t last long. That same September, the actor from Cheers married Leigh-Anne Csuhany, but he requested an annulment in 1993, and it was granted.

Greer said in a 2015 interview with Glamour that she mostly had a normal childhood, but she occasionally 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+, mirrored her father’s behavior, despite his apologies for not being present enough in the past.

Actress Molly Tarlov 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.

As a huge fan, I was so touched by Greer’s story about the best advice her dad ever gave her. She told Stage Buddy that he constantly offers guidance, but the most impactful thing he said was to always act because I genuinely love it – to act for the right reasons. She recalled a really honest conversation where he warned her about how tough Hollywood can be on women, and he just told me not to let it get to me. Even talking about it now, she gets emotional, and honestly, so do I. It’s such a beautiful and important reminder.

 

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, as she was one of the show’s original stars.

Model and Emerson College graduate Mason explained in 2018 that her parents’ difficult divorce strained her relationship with Kelsey, but they’ve since worked through it and are close again.

Looking back, that period was incredibly challenging. It really forced me to grow up quickly – I suddenly had a lot on my plate. With my dad largely absent, and my mom struggling, I felt like I had to step up and essentially become a mother figure to my younger brother. The whole atmosphere was tense, and honestly, it’s heartbreaking to say, but my parents still aren’t speaking to each other. It was a really tough time for all of us, and it definitely changed me.

I’ve been following Camille’s life for a while now, and it’s interesting to see how she talks about her ex, Mason. Even though she’s happily married to David Meyer since 2018, she recently told Page Six something really sweet about him – she said he was a fantastic student! She even joked that he definitely got that dedication from his dad, because she admits she doesn’t always have that same level of discipline herself. It’s nice to see her acknowledge his good qualities, even after everything.

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. She considers it a real win whenever she manages to get a photo of him!

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

Kelsey and Camille welcomed their daughter, Faith Evangeline Elisa Grammer, on July 13, 2012. They had initially announced they were expecting twins, but sadly, their son passed away shortly after his 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 be strong and fight for what you believe in. We worked hard to welcome her into our lives as our first child, and I also want to continue fighting for the ideals that make America great.

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

When his son Gabriel was just five weeks old, Kelsey, who is 25 years older than his wife Kayte, told People magazine that he and Kayte were already thinking about having another child. He said the experience had been so wonderful, he couldn’t imagine stopping now.

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

Kelsey described feeling incredibly fulfilled and joyful being around young people. She said it gave her a renewed sense of hope and made her feel more alive and peaceful than ever before. She genuinely loves the experience.

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, just before her brother James was born, that her dad had always dreamed of a large family. She described her parents, Kayte and her dad, as wonderful parents who clearly adore their children, Faith and Gabe. She expressed her excitement about them welcoming another baby into the family.

In 2018, Mason told Closer that Kelsey has become a better father with each child. He shared that while Kelsey was strict when Mason was growing up, he’s now much more laid-back with Mason’s younger siblings, which Mason finds wonderful.

In an October 2025 appearance on the Pod Meets World podcast, Kelsey announced that he and 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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2025-11-17 23:53