Cheers star unrecognisable after skipping reunion with Kelsey Grammer-Rishma Dosani-Entertainment – Metro

Shelley Long kept a low profile in LA after missing a Cheers reunion (Pictures: Getty / Coleman-Rayner)

Shelley Long was spotted making a rare appearance in public after skipping a star-studded Cheers reunion.

The 74-year-old famously starred as Diane Chambers in the sitcom, alongside Ted Danson, Kelsey Grammer and Rhea Perlman, before bowing out at the end of season five, which first aired in 1986.

She briefly reprised her role in Kelsey’s acclaimed spin-off, Frasier, and even landed an Emmy nomination for her stint.

However, she failed to join her former castmates on stage at the 2024 Emmy Awards last week.

Shelley was notably absent when Ted, Rhea, Kelsey reunited with John Ratzenberger, and George Wendt – with the sweet scenes leading into the in-memoriam segment, in honor of their late co-star, Kirstie Alley.

Although there was no official reason given for the no-show, she was pictured looking thoughtful on Tuesday afternoon as she broke cover to take her dog for a walk in LA.

Shelley was seen out in LA (Picture: Coleman-Rayner)

The reason for her no-show has not been shared (Picture: Coleman-Rayner)

In the snaps, she was spotted keeping her head down in a smart black coat, paired with a blue jumper.

She completed the casual look with grey trousers and matching trainers.

The actress, who has since gone on to appear in Modern Family and the Brady Bunch, wasn’t the only member of the Cheers gang who wasn’t involved in the segment, as Woody Harrelson was also unable to stop in for a pint at the reconstructed Bull & Finch Pub.

The 62-year-old, who played the beloved Woody Boyd, is currently starring in the West End production of Ulster American, in London, and couldn’t make the journey to LA.

Shelley starred as Diane in the iconic sitcom (Picture: NBC)

A string of famous faces propped up the fictional bar (Picture: NBC)

Jesse Collins, executive producer of the annual awards, told the Hollywood Reporter: ‘Woody Harrelson couldn’t make Cheers because he’s in a play.

‘So there were a few people where there were just logistical challenges. But we were lucky to get so many people who were willing to participate.’

He didn’t shed light on Shelley’s absence.

Kelsey previously teased that we could see her character back on our screens in an upcoming episode of the Frasier revival.

Kelsey, Ted, Rhea and co reunited at the Emmys (Picture: AP)

The rebooted series premiered last year to mixed reviews but, during an appearance on the Kelly Clarkson show, the Simpsons favorite shed light on a possible season two.

Speaking to the host, he confirmed that he ‘would like to see Diane come back’, to ‘put something to bed’ in their on-screen relationship.’

‘When I first got the role, the key to Frasier for me was that he loved her with his whole heart, that he loved with all of his being,’ he added. ‘And that actually defined who he is.

‘He’s been that way ever since. He just goes in wholeheartedly with everything — and that’s what makes him funny.’

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