John Lithgow was first offered the role of Frasier in Cheers, but despite how popular the character became, here's why the actor never regretted passing on it. Kelsey Grammer's Frasier first appeared on Cheers during season 3, playing Diane's new love interest. The uptight but well-meaning psychiatrist was only supposed to appear for a few episodes, but producers were so taken with Grammer's turn that they decided to keep Frasier around. This resulted in Frasier Crane becoming a main cast member and staying with Cheers until its final season.
Frasier later received his own spinoff, which saw him move to Seattle to reconnect with father Marty - who Frasier claimed was dead in Cheers - and brother Niles. His younger brother is like Frasier in many ways, including being snobby and sophisticated, but Niles is arguably even more so. Frasier became a beloved sitcom in its own right and lasted for eleven seasons. By the time the show came to a close, Kelsey Grammer had played Frasier for 20 years consistently, tying with James Arness, the lead of classic TV western Gunsmoke.
The role of Frasier Crane was written with John Lithgow in mind, who at the time was known for movies like The World According To Garp and Terms of Endearment. It's easy to see the actor in the part, but Lithgow passed on it and reflected on his decision in 2017 on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. He confirmed he passed on Cheers because episodic television was "beneath his dignity" at the time, and feels the only reason Frasier Crane - who is also very rich - became such a sensation was because of Grammer's performance.
Despite the success and wealth the part of Frasier brought to Grammer, Lithgow never regretted passing either. In addition to believing it was Grammer's performance that made the role work, Lithgow suspects that if he had taken the part, he never would have made 3rd Rock From The Sun, which he cites as one of the best experiences of his career. Lithgow also made a vocal cameo in Frasier season 2 episode "Someone to Watch Over Me" and worked with Grammer on the 2015 documentary The Best Of Enemies.
In an interview with The AV Club in 2016, John Lithgow also responded positively to an unused "swap week" idea that one NBC executive had. The idea was that Lithgow would play Frasier for one episode while Grammer would play Dick Solomon on 3rd Rock From The Sun (which had an emotional ending). This would have given viewers a chance to see what the show would have looked like if John Lithgow hadn't turned down the Frasier role, but sadly, this concept wasn't used.