Kelsey Grammer Is Heading To Modern Family For The Perfect Guest Role

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Though his movie career began over two decades ago, actor Kelsey Grammer will forever be seen as a TV actor, thanks in large part to his extended run as Frasier Crane across the classic sitcoms Cheers and Frasier, both still popular years after leaving our TVs. Grammer is the co-lead in the upcoming Amazon drama The Last Tycoon, and he'll be complementing that serious role with something sure to inspire more mirth than tension, as the Emmy winner just locked down a guest role on Modern Family for which he will play the ex-boyfriend of one Cam Tucker. Send in the clowns.

For his first of hopefully many appearances on Modern Family, Kelsey Grammer will take on the role of Keith, a former lover of Cam's who will almost certainly not make Mitchell feel more secure with himself. Knowing what we do about Cam's past, it should come as no surprise that Keith has ties to the entertainment industry; well, sort of. Keith is a circus ringmaster, so he is probably quite familiar with the antics of Fizbo, Cam's clown persona. There's no telling if this reconnection between Cam and Keith will involve facepaint, but I might be hoping for Cam's old flame to have a clown fetish. Not the most mature hope I've ever had, true.

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According to EW, Kelsey Grammer's appearance will come during an episode that will air in early January. But it is filming this week, so maybe someone from the cast and/or crew will post some shots to show us if Keith the Ringmaster wears his circus gear all the time or not.

Even beyond the aforementioned Amazon drama The Last Tycoon, which also stars Matt Bomer, Kelsey Grammer has been surprisingly busy. This year alone saw him popping up on the small screen both in live-action, for a Neighbors 2 appearance, and in animated form, as the hilarious boss in Storks; plus, he'll soon be heard in the animated feature Bunyan and Babe and seen in the action adventure Nest. Back on TV, Grammer once again used his vocal talents for a return to The Simpsons as Sideshow Bob, as well as a cameo on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. And he's also voicing a role in Guillermo del Toro's upcoming Netflix series Trollhunters.

Modern Family, which also added the great Nathan Fillion as a recurring character this season, is one part of ABC's big comedy block on Wednesday nights. While we won't see Kelsey Grammer showing up until next year, there are still many new episodes airing in the meantime. And to see what else is coming to the small screen, check out our fall TV schedule.

Nick Venable
Assistant Managing Editor

Nick is a Cajun Country native, and is often asked why he doesn't sound like that's the case. His love for his wife and daughters is almost equaled by his love of gasp-for-breath laughter and gasp-for-breath horror. A lifetime spent in the vicinity of a television screen led to his current dream job, as well as his knowledge of too many TV themes and ad jingles.