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'He was my father': Kelsey Grammer shares sweet tribute to TV dad John Mahoney

The "Frasier" star paid tribute to his TV father in an emotional Twitter message.
/ Source: TODAY

When "Frasier" star John Mahoney died at the age of 77 on Sunday, his fellow entertainers took to social media to honor him.

Now, his TV son Kelsey Grammer has shared his grief in a heartfelt Twitter post.

On Wednesday, the Emmy winner, 62, paid tribute with a tender photo of the the two actors embracing, writing, "He was my father. I loved him."

Peri Gilpin, who played Roz on the long-running sitcom, also honored her late co-star on Monday by urging fans to re-watch some of Mahoney's greatest works.

Mahoney earned two Emmy nominations for his role as gruff retired cop Marty Crane on the beloved sitcom during its 11-season run. One of the show's ongoing jokes was that beer-drinking, sports-obsessed Marty had trouble relating to his erudite and cultured sons, psychiatrists Frasier (Grammer) and Niles (David Hyde Pierce).

Image: TELEVISION COMEDY SERIES FRASIER FINALE TO BE TELECAST MAY 13
The stars of "Frasier (L-R): Jane Leeves, David Hyde Pierce, Kelsey Grammer, John Mahoney and Peri Gilpin pose together in an undated cast photo.REUTERS

But in real life, Mahoney, who spent nearly 40 years as an ensemble member of Chicago's legendary Steppenwolf Theatre Company, passionately loved opera and shared his knowledge of it with his younger TV son — who played an opera fanatic — Pierce revealed in a 2010 interview with Time magazine.

Over his long career, British-born Mahoney also starred in movies including "Say Anything," "Moonstruck" and "Barton Fink" —and won a Tony Award n 1986 for his role in "The House of Blue Leaves."

More recently, he appeared on several episodes of "Hot In Cleveland" as Betty White's love interest.