Actors
die all the time, but none has left me with such a feeling of overwhelming
sadness as that of the passing of John Mahoney, who died on Sunday at the age
of 77.
Blackpool born
Mahoney was a distinguished movie and TV actor who is best known for playing
Frasier Crane’s father, Marty Crane, in the TV sitcom Frasier, which ran from
1993 to 2004 on NBC. Once asked, in my role as critic, what my favourite TV
shows of all time were, Frasier topped my list; it still does. Never a week
goes by without my watching at least half a dozen episodes, and I still regard
it as the most perfect TV show ever. Writing, storytelling, acting, laugh aloud
comedy, timing, production – it ticks every box at the highest level.
Mahoney was central to the
success of the show. As executive producer and writer Joe Keenan wrote upon
hearing of Mahoney’s death, Marty was the “moral center” of the piece. He was. From
the very first episode, when Marty disrupted not only Frasier’s social life but
his aesthetic space (with his hideous chair), he was the fulcrum around which
his dysfunctional sons balanced their chaotic lives. As Frasier (Kelsey
Grammer) and Niles (David Hyde Pierce) competed as siblings for social and
professional one-upmanship, Marty was forever the bemused voice of reason with
his feet always firmly on the ground.
There are so many episodes that
spring quickly to mind. One is when an overdressed Frasier and Niles are forced
to go to their father’s favourite steak house, where, upon entering, their ties
are instantly cut in half. They make fun of the service, the décor, the food,
and Marty’s irrepressible joy at being totally at home in the environment is in
stark contrast. His hurt at his sons’ reaction, citing how ashamed their mother
would have been, brings me to tears even just writing about it. If ever there
was a moment in acting where the adage less is more holds absolutely true, this
is it.
They behave equally snobbishly
when their father hooks up with Sherrie, a brash brunette whom the boys find embarrassing
to be around. It is another example of Marty’s connection to the real world
that is anathema to his sons. It his influence that enables them to learn from
their mistakes . . . until they go out and make a whole lot of different
mistakes.
Mahoney brought immense poignancy
to the role. In one episode, Frasier and Niles turn against Marty, believing
that he once had an affair. It transpires that it was their mother who had been
unfaithful, but out of respect for her, Marty had not wanted to taint the boys’
memory of her. Protecting his sons from harsh realities that might hurt them –
the role of a fine father – is another aspect of this rich character.
Then there is Eddie, Marty’s
constant companion, a dog with whom he shares a secret language. They
understand one another, comfort one another, and theirs is the strongest
relationship in the show. I like to think of Moose (who played Eddie) being
reunited with his owner in a galaxy far away. Call me an old softie.
Frasier regularly fulfils one of
the traditional fundamentals of British theatre – every individual must be
alone with each character at some point during the play (I have no idea if this
still holds true). In Frasier, those moments often take place in the kitchen
(stage left), which provides a conspiratorial backdrop to the action taking
place in the living room.
“Dad/Niles/Frasier, can I see you in the kitchen” is
a familiar refrain – my favourite being when Frasier invites station manager
Tom over for dinner as a blind date for his father’s live-in physio, Daphne
(Jane Leeves). Tom gets the wrong end of the stick and thinks Frasier wants him
for himself, and Niles and Marty (as is the audience) are in on the
misunderstanding in the kitchen. The genius of the episode (written by Joe
Keenan, a master of the farcical) is that you just hear Marty’s uproarious
laugh in the distance.
It’s good to hear that John was
also a joy to work with and, according to all the tributes, a wonderful man who
was greatly loved by all who had the good fortune to cross his path. I never
met him, but he will always have a place in my heart as one of the true greats.
