Back To You's Kelsey Grammer: 'I Was Addicted to Danger' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 08-23-2007, 09:38 PM

After several devastating tragedies and years of battling addictions, Kelsey Grammer says he has finally found "a sense of fulfillment and joy" in life.

"I've been through my share of tough times," Grammer, 52, who starred as Dr. Frasier Crane on both Cheers and Frasier, tells Parade in its new issue. "I'm a very different guy now."

Among the hurdles he's cleared is addiction – to alcohol, drugs, women and extreme experiences.

"I'm an addictive personality. I was addicted to danger and dangerous girls, and it took me to things that were very destructive for me," says Grammer, whose new FOX show, Back to You, premieres Sept. 19. "I liked the addictions. I'm not going to lie about it. But I got in too deep. I probably would've died if I hadn't stopped."

In 1996, the actor spent time at the Betty Ford Clinic, and has been sober ever since.

"I'm attracted to threshold experiences – to chaos, insanity, mayhem," says Grammer. "I was also trying to reconcile how I was actually living my life with how I thought my life should be lived – the traditional idea of a normal existence with a wife, a family."

One reason for his self-destructive behavior, he says, was the tragic deaths of his father, who was shot to death when Grammer was 12 years old, and his sister, Karen, who was abducted and killed, while the future TV star was studying acting in New York

"It was very hard," he says. "I was disconsolate. I tried to understand why people I loved died. Why did they have to suffer? There is no uplifting answer."

But, Grammer says, his personal life started to turn around when he met his current wife, Camille, in 1996.

"It was love at first sight," he says. "Corny as it sounds, I think Camille saw in me a great guy who needed love. It takes a lot of courage to love. Isn't that why we're here – to love, regardless of the cost? She decided to give me love.

He now considers himself "a very lucky man. Somehow, love just came out of the world toward me, and with it, a sense of fulfillment and joy."

Janice · 08-25-2007, 09:45 PM

That's a nice article. He's had his share of loss and heartache. I can relate. I love that Parade cover.

Brian Damage · 08-25-2007, 10:18 PM

It's such a heartbreaking story about his life. I can see how he turned to drugs and booze to kill the pain. I personally cannot fathom such pain. I am so glad he rebounded and made a great career for himself.

Janice · 08-26-2007, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

It's such a heartbreaking story about his life. I can see how he turned to drugs and booze to kill the pain. I personally cannot fathom such pain. I am so glad he rebounded and made a great career for himself.

I guess he does his best not to dwell on what he has no control over. That's what keeps me going. I've had more than one person tell me that they would have cracked up, had they lost their entire family.

Here's another article where Kelsey talks about his struggle in dealing with his sister's death and meeting her killer soon.

http://www.showbuzz.cbsnews.com/stor...r=HOME_3194007

BackToYouOnline · 08-26-2007, 06:24 PM

I posted the article, photos, video and link to Parade Magazine

>> http://www.backtoyouonline.com/print..._lucky_man.htm

08-23-2007, 09:38 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Back To You's Kelsey Grammer: 'I Was Addicted to Danger' After several devastating tragedies and years of battling addictions, Kelsey Grammer says he has finally found "a sense of fulfillment and joy" in life. "I've been through my share of tough times," Grammer, 52, who starred as Dr. Frasier Crane on both Cheers and Frasier, tells Parade in its new issue. "I'm a very different guy now." Among the hurdles he's cleared is addiction – to alcohol, drugs, women and extreme experiences. "I'm an addictive personality. I was addicted to danger and dangerous girls, and it took me to things that were very destructive for me," says Grammer, whose new FOX show, Back to You, premieres Sept. 19. "I liked the addictions. I'm not going to lie about it. But I got in too deep. I probably would've died if I hadn't stopped." In 1996, the actor spent time at the Betty Ford Clinic, and has been sober ever since. "I'm attracted to threshold experiences – to chaos, insanity, mayhem," says Grammer. "I was also trying to reconcile how I was actually living my life with how I thought my life should be lived – the traditional idea of a normal existence with a wife, a family." One reason for his self-destructive behavior, he says, was the tragic deaths of his father, who was shot to death when Grammer was 12 years old, and his sister, Karen, who was abducted and killed, while the future TV star was studying acting in New York "It was very hard," he says. "I was disconsolate. I tried to understand why people I loved died. Why did they have to suffer? There is no uplifting answer." But, Grammer says, his personal life started to turn around when he met his current wife, Camille, in 1996. "It was love at first sight," he says. "Corny as it sounds, I think Camille saw in me a great guy who needed love. It takes a lot of courage to love. Isn't that why we're here – to love, regardless of the cost? She decided to give me love. He now considers himself "a very lucky man. Somehow, love just came out of the world toward me, and with it, a sense of fulfillment and joy." Attached Images
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08-26-2007, 06:24 PM	#5
BackToYouOnline Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Aug 13, 2007 Location: USA Posts: 6	I posted the article, photos, video and link to Parade Magazine >> http://www.backtoyouonline.com/print..._lucky_man.htm
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08-25-2007, 09:45 PM	#2
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	That's a nice article. He's had his share of loss and heartache. I can relate. I love that Parade cover.

08-25-2007, 10:18 PM	#3
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	It's such a heartbreaking story about his life. I can see how he turned to drugs and booze to kill the pain. I personally cannot fathom such pain. I am so glad he rebounded and made a great career for himself.