Kelsey Grammer’s Eldest Children Report Feeling “Somewhat Distanced” from Family (Exclusive)

Kelsey Grammer does his best to manage relationships with his eight children.

“I just do what I can, you know? I show up when I can,” Grammer, 70, exclusively shared with Us Weekly during the Giving a Smile Foundation gala on Thursday, December 11. “I mean, I am fairly busy. There’s a lot happening, but I try to get home on time to sit down with the kids and say goodnight, and get up in the morning to give them cereal.”

He added, “I try to stay involved. My older kids … might feel a bit distanced, but that’s how life goes. They’re adults now.”

The Frasier star first became a father in 1983, welcoming daughter Spencer with ex-wife Doreen Alderman. He later had daughter Greer with ex-girlfriend Barrie Buckner, children Mason and Jude with ex-wife Camille Grammer, and four more kids with wife Kayte Walsh.

While Kelsey is quite engaged with his younger kids who still live at home, he also strives to strengthen his relationships with his adult children.

“[I spend time with them] when I can,” he mentioned to Us. “It’s really important. I mean, it’s the most important thing we have—our family. And, regardless of their feelings, it’s essential that we come together whenever possible.”

Kelsey hasn’t always had a close relationship with his eldest kids. Greer, 33, who featured in MTV’s Awkward, revealed last month that she had been estranged from her father for 12 years.

“It’s a very well-known name, but living [in our Malibu neighborhood], it’s more like a tight-knit community. So, everyone knows everyone,” Greer shared on the “Pretty Basic” podcast. “And everyone is aware of all the drama.”

Ultimately, Greer reconciled with Kelsey, even securing a role in his Frasier reboot.

Kelsey now focuses on family life, recently taking his 13-year-old daughter Faith, his eldest with Walsh, to the 48th Kennedy Center Honors earlier this month.

“That was her first red carpet last week,” he noted on Thursday. “It was really wonderful.”

Faith will follow up her red carpet debut with a festive winter season.

“[We will be] trimming the tree on Christmas Day,” Kelsey joked to Us about his holiday plans. “We’re keeping it pretty simple this year. Normally, we have a big New Year’s Eve party, but we’re probably passing on it this year. It’s just gonna be a relaxed transition into the new year.”

The actor is also optimistic that 2026 will bring more date nights with Walsh, 46, who welcomed their fourth child, son Christopher, earlier this year.

“We have an 8-week-old baby, which is quite challenging, but we’re planning,” Kelsey joked about the couple’s date night aspirations. “We’re negotiating when we might actually get the chance to go out and enjoy one another.”

Kelsey made a solo appearance on Thursday, hosting the Giving a Smile Foundation benefit.

“Rodney Raanan is my dentist, and he is the reason for my smile,” Kelsey told Us regarding the event at the Beverly Hilton in California. “I’m here to celebrate smiling.”

Rodney and his brother, fellow dentist, Justin Raanan, co-founded the Giving A Smile Foundation and shared their thoughts with Us at Thursday’s event.

“The Giving A Smile Foundation stems from a deeply held belief that every child deserves the dignity and confidence that comes from a healthy smile,” the brothers stated. “Our mission is to eliminate barriers to care and provide children not just dental treatment but also hope and opportunity.”