Kelsey Grammer protected Frasier actor who was diagnosed with cancer
“Frasier” revival actor Toks Olagundoye revealed during a recent interview on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” that during the production of the show’s first season, she received a personal call from co-star and lead actor Kelsey Grammar, to ensure that she would not be fired and her role would not be reduced during her cancer diagnosis. Olagundoye was convinced she would be let go from “Frasier” after the diagnosis required her to undergo a double mastectomy after filming just three episodes.
“I’ve never had a TV family like the cast of Frasier, they are truly amazing people. It was really nice to be around them,” Olagundoye said.
The actor was diagnosed with stage 0 triple negative breast cancer, which progressed to stage 1 by the time she was told she needed surgery. Olagundoye was 46 years old at the time and underwent three surgeries followed by chemotherapy in the weeks before “Frasier” began filming. She then had the double mastectomy halfway through production.
“I said, listen, if you have to fire me, I’ve only done three episodes so far, make me a guest star or whatever,” Olagundoye recalled telling the show’s producers, who assured her that she would not be fired. However, the actor still expected to hear from the channel at any time, saying, “I’m sure I’ll be fired at any time.”
“I see Kelsey’s calling [later]and I was like, yeah, this is it, getting fired straight away,” she continued. “He was very emotional, he didn’t realize what I was going through, and he said, ‘I know how actors think, I want you to know that this is your family, you’re not going to get fired, we’re going to do what we have to do to make you feel comfortable.’ I remember him saying so vividly, “You will be so happy after this.” Everything will be fine. ”
Olagundoye stars in the revival series “Frasier” as Professor Olivia Finch, chair of Harvard University’s psychology department. The show’s first season began streaming on Paramount+ in October 2023. A second season premiered in September 2024.
During her appearance on ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’, the daytime host surprised Olagundoye with a pre-recorded video message from Grammer himself.
“I’m really proud of you for being on this show and I salute your efforts to raise awareness and money for breast cancer, and we always loved you and loved being with you when you were going through your period , and congratulations on coming out the other side,” Grammer said in the clip. “I am deeply, personally grateful.”
Watch Olagundoye’s full interview in the video below.
