Kelsey Grammer’s Tragedy that Drove Him to ‘Curse God’—and How He Came Back
Kelsey Grammer has been a beloved actor for decades, captivating audiences with his performance on “Cheers” and “Frasier.” Now, he’s sharing his own story what led him astray from God and how he returned.
As the Christian Post noted, Grammer experienced great loss early on. From the deaths of his grandfather and father, his grief only exploded further when his sister, Karen, was murdered.
“…when Karen was killed, hanging on to what I’d always seen as a kind of gift of faith, became…hollow faith,” Grammer reportedly told Fox News. “It wasn’t working. I thought, ‘Why did I lose this? What happened?’ I felt betrayed by it. And so, I sort of cursed God at one point and said, ‘You know, hey, I’d rather You didn’t bother to help at this point…”
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Grammer’s sister, Karen, was murdered in 1975 after being abducted outside of the restaurant where she worked. She was raped and then stabbed to death. Freddie Glenn, the man who killed her, was convicted in 1976 of Karen’s murder, along with two other murders.
Grammer admits that even though it’s been decades, he is “still stuck” with the agony of losing his sister. After Karen died, Grammer also lost half-brothers Stephen and Billy to a scuba diving accident.
The calamities that Grammer faced drove him away from reaching out to God. However, he discourages others from doing the same.
“I would advise people to step away from that,” Grammer says. “Turn toward Him in these situations.”
Through his marriage and relationship with his family, Grammer has experienced deep healing over time. However, it was in 2023 when he played pastor Chuck Smith in “Jesus Revolution” that he rediscovered his faith.
“I don’t go out proselytizing, but I am not going to deny my faith; I’m not going to deny Jesus Christ,” he says.
“…I have come to terms with it and have found great peace in my faith and in Jesus. It’s not cavalier —Jesus made a difference in my life,” Grammer tells USA Today.
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Kelsey Grammer’s story is a powerful testimony to the enduring grace of God, even in the aftermath of unimaginable loss. His journey through pain, grief and bitterness reveals the raw and often complicated relationship many people have with faith when faced with tragedy. Rather than staying in a place of despair, Grammer eventually found the courage to confront his sorrow and open his heart again to the presence of God.
Grammer’s story reminds us that no amount of fame can shield a person from suffering—nor from the redeeming love of Christ. His life now stands as a testament to the power of grace and the possibility of restoration. For those who have drifted from God due to heartbreak or disillusionment, his testimony is a hopeful invitation: no matter how far you’ve gone, the way back is always open.
Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.
