Another sad loss to the world of comedy. John Mahoney, who was best known in America but actually born in Blackpool, England, passed away in a hospice in Chicago aged 77 in January of this year. Mahoney will be instantly recognizable to any fan of the hit show "Frasier", where he played Frasier's father Martin Crane for the show's entire eleven-year run.
"Frasier" became the role that Mahoney was most recognized for, but it was far from the only major success of his working life. When he wasn't in front of the camera he found regular work as a voiceover artist, and also liked to tread the boards of Broadway, where he won a Tony in 1986 for his role in "The House of Blue Leaves". Mahoney only gained US citizenship by serving in the US Army, which is an unusual route to take!