<P> The character , Frasier Crane , was created in the third season of Cheers ( 1984 -- 1985 ) by series creators Glen and Les Charles as Diane Chambers 's ( Shelley Long ) `` romantic and intellectual ideal '' following her breakup with Sam Malone ( Ted Danson ) . Not only Sam Malone 's rival and opposite , Frasier Crane was also part of the love triangle , `` a different form to the Sam - Diane relationship , '' said Glen Charles . The show 's writers initially conceived the character as `` the role Ralph Bellamy used to play in Cary Grant movies -- the guy the lady falls in love with , but is not real . You just know he does n't have the sexual dynamism Grant does . '' John Lithgow was originally chosen by Cheers producers for the role , but turned it down . Grammer believed that he had failed the audition because no one laughed , but was chosen because of the quality of his performance with Danson . Frasier was supposed to only appear on a few episodes before Diane left him , but Grammer 's performance was praised by series executives , leading to an extended role in the series . His character was not universally popular , however , for coming between Sam and Diane ; a fan approached Grammer asking `` Are you that pin dick that plays Frasier ? '' , and the show received fan mail denouncing Grammer . </P>
<P> The character , Frasier Crane , was created in the third season of Cheers ( 1984 -- 1985 ) by series creators Glen and Les Charles as Diane Chambers 's ( Shelley Long ) `` romantic and intellectual ideal '' following her breakup with Sam Malone ( Ted Danson ) . Not only Sam Malone 's rival and opposite , Frasier Crane was also part of the love triangle , `` a different form to the Sam - Diane relationship , '' said Glen Charles . The show 's writers initially conceived the character as `` the role Ralph Bellamy used to play in Cary Grant movies -- the guy the lady falls in love with , but is not real . You just know he does n't have the sexual dynamism Grant does . '' John Lithgow was originally chosen by Cheers producers for the role , but turned it down . Grammer believed that he had failed the audition because no one laughed , but was chosen because of the quality of his performance with Danson . Frasier was supposed to only appear on a few episodes before Diane left him , but Grammer 's performance was praised by series executives , leading to an extended role in the series . His character was not universally popular , however , for coming between Sam and Diane ; a fan approached Grammer asking `` Are you that pin dick that plays Frasier ? '' , and the show received fan mail denouncing Grammer . </P>
who was the role of frazier crane written for
who was the role of frazier crane written for
John Lithgow
John Lithgow