Main Cast and Characters of Cheers
The American sitcom Cheers ran from 1982 to 1993 on NBC, featuring an ensemble cast centered on a Boston bar. Ted Danson starred as Sam Malone, a former baseball pitcher and bar owner. Shelley Long played Diane Chambers, an intellectual waitress, for the first five seasons. Kelsey Grammer portrayed Dr. Frasier Crane, a psychiatrist who joined the main cast in season two. The complete cast and character guide lists recurring players including Woody Harrelson as Woody Boyd, who replaced Long starting in season four.
Other core cast members include John Ratzenberger as mailman Cliff Clavin and George Wendt as bartender Norm Peterson. Bebe Neuwirth played Lilith Sternin, Frasier's wife, while Kirstie Alley appeared as Rebecca Howe, the bar manager from season six through the series finale. The show's ensemble format and long character arcs made the Cheers cast one of the most recognizable in television history.
Where to Watch Cheers Episodes and Streaming Options
Cheers episodes are available for streaming on platforms including Peacock, which holds the primary U.S. digital rights for the series. The full series can also be purchased or rented through digital storefronts such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google TV. Physical media releases include DVD box sets from Paramount Home Entertainment, and select episodes appear on free ad-supported streaming services with licensed packages.
Streaming availability can vary by region, and some platforms rotate licensing windows. Peacock offers both free ad-supported and premium tiers, with the premium tier providing access to the full Cheers library. For the latest streaming status, check Peacock's official channel page or the Peacock streaming service directly.
Cast Careers, Awards, and Legacy
Several Cheers cast members received major awards during and after the series. Ted Danson won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as Sam Malone. Kelsey Grammer earned multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for playing Frasier Crane, later starring in the spin-off Frasier, which ran from 1993 to 2004 and was revived in 2023.
The Cheers ensemble is frequently cited in industry rankings of greatest TV casts. The show won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series four times and the Golden Globe for Best Television Series Musical or Comedy in 1991. Cast members have continued acting careers in film, television, and voice work, with many maintaining public profiles through interviews, retrospectives, and fan conventions. For more background on the series and its impact, see the Cheers page on IMDb.