Shelley Long

Biography

Shelley Long is an American actress and comedian best known for her role as Diane Chambers on the hit television sitcom Cheers. Born Shelley Lee Long on August 23, 1949, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, she developed a passion for performing at an early age.

Long initially pursued studies in drama at Northwestern University but left before graduating to focus on her acting career. Her early years in the industry were marked by commercial work and local theater productions before she eventually broke into Hollywood.

Early Career

Shelley Long’s career began in the 1970s with roles in regional theater and commercial acting. She gained recognition as a spokesperson for Homemakers Furniture and made appearances in various television shows and films. She also worked as a writer, producer, and performer on the Chicago-based sketch comedy series Sorting It Out, which won several regional Emmy Awards.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Long started getting more prominent acting roles, appearing in TV movies and comedies, which set the stage for her breakthrough in television.

Breakthrough with Cheers

Long’s career skyrocketed in 1982 when she was cast as Diane Chambers, a sophisticated, intellectual waitress in the NBC sitcom Cheers. The show, centered around a Boston bar and its quirky patrons, became one of the most beloved sitcoms in television history.

Her portrayal of Diane, a character defined by her wit, charm, and on-again, off-again romance with bar owner Sam Malone (played by Ted Danson), made her a fan favorite. She won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1983 and earned multiple Golden Globe Awards for her performance.

Despite the show's immense popularity, Long left Cheers after five seasons in 1987, citing a desire to pursue other acting opportunities and spend more time with her family. Her departure was one of the most talked-about moments in TV history, and the show continued without her until its finale in 1993.

Film Career

After leaving Cheers, Long transitioned into a film career, starring in several comedies and family films, including:

• "The Money Pit" (1986) – A comedy co-starring Tom Hanks about a couple struggling to renovate a crumbling mansion.
• "Troop Beverly Hills" (1989) – A family comedy where Long played a glamorous yet well-meaning troop leader for a group of Girl Scouts.
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• "Outrageous Fortune" (1987) – A buddy comedy alongside Bette Midler.
• "Hello Again" (1987) – A fantasy-comedy about a woman who mysteriously comes back to life.

Although some of her films were well-received, others did not perform as expected at the box office. Nonetheless, she remained a familiar face in Hollywood.

Later Television Work

Long continued to work in television, making guest appearances on various shows throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Some notable roles include:

• Reprising her role as Diane Chambers – She made guest appearances on Cheers spin-off Frasier, earning another Emmy nomination.
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• "Modern Family" (2009–2018) – She played DeDe Pritchett, the eccentric ex-wife of Jay (Ed O’Neill) and mother of Claire (Julie Bowen) and Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson). Her recurring role added humor and depth to the hit show.
• TV movies and sitcoms – Long appeared in various made-for-TV movies and sitcoms, often showcasing her comedic skills.
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