Kelsey Grammer has spent more than four decades entertaining audiences, most famously as psychiatrist Frasier Crane on “Cheers” and “Frasier.” But these days, the Emmy-winning actor is pursuing projects that reflect another long-standing passion: American history.
During his first visit to Chattanooga – at least as far as he could recall – the award-winning actor sat down for an exclusive interview ahead of an Oct. 10 appearance at the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center.
The conversation ranged from his plans to direct “So Help Me God,” a Civil War drama inspired by Union soldier Albert Townsend, to his efforts to develop an educational app called “American Revelation.” Grammer also reflected on his career, the power of historical storytelling and the possibility that audiences haven’t seen the last of Frasier Crane.
You’re directing “So Help Me God.” What attracted you to the project?
“Doug Scheidet and his brother are producing it, and they’re related to Albert Townsend, whom we’re trying to get the Medal of Honor for posthumously. He was nominated during the Civil War but was overlooked.
“The film itself is very exciting and tragic in many ways. I want it to convey the monumental scale of what happened during the Civil War, the carnage and the extraordinary casualties that resulted when traditional military tactics encountered new military technology.
What made you want to direct this story rather than appear in it as an actor?
“Well, they didn’t ask me to appear in it! I just thought I might be able to direct it, and I think I can.
“I’ve directed quite a bit, but this would be my first feature film that isn’t a comedy. There will be some lighter moments, but it’s primarily a story about relationships. It’s a somber subject, but I hope it will also be inspirational.
“It fits with what I’m exploring these days: telling stories about America and American history, introducing young people to things they’ve never been taught and reminding others of things they’ve forgotten about where they come from.”
Does working on historical projects satisfy something in you creatively that playing Frasier or other characters didn’t?
“I’ve always been a pretty satisfied actor, and I’ve always tried to be a diverse one. I’ve taken on a lot of different roles. If I wasn’t doing something I wanted to do, I’d go find somewhere I could do it.
“If I felt the need to return to the theater, I’d find a production somewhere. I like to keep those muscles working.
“Years ago, I worked with Charles Durning, and I asked him how he kept his acting skills sharp. He told me he did a play every year. That meant dedicating about three months of his life to theater, often somewhere around the country.
“I thought that was extraordinary. I figured maybe I could manage a play every three to five years.”
You’re still very busy. What’s different about this chapter of your career?
“For the first time in a long while, I’m not tied to a regular television series. Since “Frasier” originally ended in 2004, I’ve been doing a variety of things, including voice work.
“But my latest passion is trying to change the way American education approaches American history.
“I’m creating an app called ‘American Revelation.’ The idea is to help young people understand that they share the same desire for freedom that motivated someone like George Washington.
“There are kids attending schools named after George Washington who don’t even know who he was. That’s horrifying to me.
“I feel that I owe the founders an enormous debt of gratitude. I’m here because of what they did. They did something for me, and now I want to do something for them by helping young people understand their legacy.”
How do you hope “So Help Me God” will change the way audiences think about the Civil War?
“Whenever you can connect people to the human experiences behind a historical event, you deepen their understanding of what happened.
“A drama, a film or another form of entertainment can help people enter that world and experience history on a personal level. Suddenly, they have a stake in what happened.
“That’s the beauty of entertainment. It can make history meaningful to children and adults alike.”
Historical films have to balance dramatic storytelling with fidelity to actual events. How are you approaching that balance?
“I think this one strikes a pretty good balance. We’re not trying to present a long series of historical facts or explain the entire Civil War.
“Instead, this story offers a window into that period through one man’s commitment, his journey, his survival and the sense of justice we’re trying to achieve through telling his story.”
The Scheidet brothers have a personal connection to Townsend. How does that influence your approach to directing the film?
“I want to make sure they’re happy with it. We’ve been working on the script, and I think they’re pleased with the story we’re telling.
“My responsibility is to bring that story to life visually. That’s what motion pictures do. You tell a story through images, through the way one shot moves to another.
“The script establishes the story. Bringing it to the screen will be my job.”
Americans seem divided over how to understand their history. Do you hope the film can help bridge those differences?
“Absolutely. But we’re not going to find common ground in our understanding of history until we start teaching it again.
“We’ve had political divisions for a very long time. Even Thomas Paine wrote about the prevalence of slander in political life more than two centuries ago.
“Unfortunately, politics often involves convincing people that their opponents are hateful or have nothing of value to offer. That’s the wrong approach.
“I still believe in the American dream, and I don’t respond well when someone tells me it’s over.”
One question about Frasier. In your mind, did he ever find lasting love?
“No. Not yet.”
So there’s still hope for him?
“Absolutely. We started another version of ‘Frasier’ a couple of years ago, and I really enjoyed it.
“We needed more than 20 episodes to tell the story and get people fully invested again, but that’s how things worked out. There were changes happening in Hollywood, studios were being bought, and we fell between the cracks a little.
“But you never know. They might resurrect it because it’s a damn good show, and the story continues.
“One thing I particularly liked about the new series was that Frasier finally had a friend. In the original show, he really only had his brother.
“In the new one, he had Alan, played by Nicholas Lyndhurst, who’s one of the greatest actors in the world. He’s a fantastic friend and a wonderful actor.”