Actor Kelsey Grammer Offers Forgiveness to His Sister’s Killer

Actor Kelsey Grammer is best-known for his comedic role as Frasier Crane on the TV series “Cheers” and “Frasier.” But the actor also has a troubled past including multiple marriages and drug abuse. In light of some of the tragedies in Grammer’s life (the rape and murder of his sister, the shooting death of his father, the deaths of two half-brothers in a scuba diving accident), perhaps it’s not surprising that he went off the rails at times. Yet a news story yesterday about Grammer offering forgiveness to his sister’s murderer shows that he’s developed quite a sense of mercy and character in the ensuing years that would be difficult for many of us to emulate.

The Denver Post has the story:

BUENA VISTA — Actor Kelsey Grammer on Tuesday offered his forgiveness to the man who raped and killed his sister in 1975, but he said he wants to see him remain behind bars.

Grammer, speaking from Denver via video conference, testified at the parole board hearing for inmate Freddie Glenn. Glenn was convicted of killing two men and Grammer’s sister, Karen Elisa Grammer, and is serving a life term at the Buena Vista Correctional Facility. The board did not immediately make a decision.

Kelsey Grammer on Tuesday had a full beard and was wearing a white shirt and tie. Glenn, at times tearful as he apologized, was in a green prison jumpsuit and sat in front of a video monitor that displayed Grammer’s image.
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“I accept that you live with remorse,” Grammer told Glenn. “But I live with tragedy every day.”

Grammer said he had one last question: “If someone did to your sister what you did to mine, what would you think should be done to him?”

Glenn replied: “I would be hurt, and I would be angry. … I would like to think one day I would forgive.”

When Glenn noted that it has been nearly 40 years since the killings, Grammer responded: “I understand it’s been a long time. I was 20 years old. I took different choices.”

Glenn interrupted him again and apologized, saying he was young and made mistakes.

“Thank you,” Grammer said. “I accept your apology. I forgive you. However, I cannot give your release my endorsement. To give that a blessing would be a betrayal of my sister’s life.”

Read the full story.