a Kelsey Grammer, whoplays the radio psychiatrist on TV’s “Frasier,” talks about his own problemsand his struggle to deal with them: “I'VE ALWAYS BEEN MY OWN Appearing as a worst enemy,” said Kelsey Grammer. “I can undermine myself better than anyoneelse, and I’mthe oneI have to rene a ; Chane “proved to me that | prove the most to.” Kelsey Grammerhas had the kind of could really do own show,” nine yearsas a regular on TV's Cheers Hethenspun offhis colorful character —thepsychiatrist Dr. Frasier Crane— into his own hit comedyseries, Frasier, whichlast year wonfive Emmys,including a Best Actor award for Grammer. Yet, despite his professional accomplishments, Grammersaid he remained Says Kelsey Couree shownhere in his home in Aoore ae at ee cae time,it w mixed blessing. cess wasn’t enough to convince mel had achieved anything,” he explained. Much of his despair is understandable: Since his boyhood, Grammerhas endured a seemingly endless trial of extracurricular concernsof eepehen thepublic eye was not personaltragedies, including the slayings of two family members, twodi- If _'* ang prepared career most actors dreamof. He spent unsatisfied with himself. “Even suc- @ eperse comtortable neat vorces and aserious drug problem. And last year, a New Jersey grand juryinvestigated allegations that Grammer had had sex with a 15-year-oldgirl How, I wondered, does Grammer deal with such things? Wespokein his Spanish-style home in Agoura Hills, a rustic community outside Los Angeles. Grammer wasin the garage tinkering with his vintage 1972 Triumph Stag when I arrived. His five dogs played nearby. Grammer, who. is 40, was dressed in jeans, running shoes and a blue cotton sweater. Hewas relaxed and easygoing, very different from the pompous character he plays on TV. His housealsois casual, The upstairs den, where we chat| ted, resemblesa college fraternity room withits bar, pool table, dart board and slot machine. Grammer’s parrot, a yellow nape he calls Asher Tennyson, squawked “hello” from the next room. With thebird chattering in the background, Grammer talked about his childhood. He was born on St. Thomas BY TOM SELIGSON COVER PHOTOGRAPHBY BLAKE LITTLE PAGE 4 JANUARY28,1996 » PARADE MAGAZINE