“Cheers” alum Shelley Long looked downcast during her first public appearance since skipping the show’s reunion at the Emmys 2024.
In pictures obtained by The Post, the 74-year-old, who starred as ditzy waitress Diane Chambers on the classic TV sitcom, was photographed on Jan. 16 — the day after the Emmys — walking her Chihuahua outside of her Pacific Palisades, Calif., home.
The actress stayed under the radar in large glasses, tennis shoes, and a blue turtleneck underneath a black jacket, which she stuffed her hands into as her pup sniffed around without a leash.
Long was noticeably missing at the Emmys when her former colleagues Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, Kelsey Grammer, John Ratzenberger, and George Wendt all reunited onstage.
The group’s appearance led to the awards show’s emotional in-memoriam segment, where “Cheers” actress Kirstie Alley, who died in 2022 at 71, was honored alongside other actors such as Norman Lear and “Friends” actor Matthew Perry.
Shelley Long, 74, pictured walking her dog on Jan. 16. Jeff Rayner/Coleman-Rayner She bundled up for the walk. Jeff Rayner/Coleman-RaynerThere was no explanation as to why Long didn’t attend the ceremony, but she’s rarely been spotted in public at all in recent years.
Photographers also caught her walking her Chihuahua in 2022 just weeks after the 40th anniversary of “Cheers.”
But earlier this month, Grammer told Kelly Clarkson that he “would like to see Diane come back” on his “Frasier” reboot.
Rhea Perlman, from left, Kelsey Grammar, Ted Danson, John Ratzenberger, and George Wendt reunite at the Emmys 2024. Chris Pizzello/Invision/APGrammer, 68, appeared on both “Cheers” and as well as his spinoff, “Frasier,” as Dr. Frasier Crane. Long also appeared in three episodes of “Frasier.”
The “X-Men: The Last Stand” star also told the “American Idol” winner that Frasier should be able to “put something to bed” with Diane and “end up with a nice thing between them.” Diane and Frasier were briefly engaged in “Cheers.”
Meanwhile, Woody Harrelson, who appeared in the fourth season of “Cheers” as bartender Woody Boyd, also skipped the reunion at the Emmys.
Long’s dog did not walk on a leash. Jeff Rayner/Coleman-Rayner Ted Danson and Shelley Long circa 1985 for “Cheers.” Getty ImagesJesse Collins, an executive producer for the Emmys, later revealed to the Hollywood Reporter that Harrelson could not make it because “he’s in a play.”
“So there were a few people where there were just logistical challenges. But we were lucky to get so many people who were willing to participate,” Collins added.
