Shelley Long’s hidden battle: Depression and life after Cheers
Shelley Long faced her share of challenges after leaving Cheers. The star has been living a quiet life far from Hollywood’s spotlight for years. But not long ago, photos of the rarely-seen actress surfaced.
Shelley Long’s departure from Cheers left an undeniable void in the beloved sitcom. Best known for her role as the witty and sophisticated Diane Chambers, Long earned widespread acclaim for her performance.
Over her time on the show, she received five Emmy nominations, winning in 1983 for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. In addition, she took home two Golden Globe Awards for her iconic portrayal, cementing her legacy as a standout in television history.
Worked as a meal plan checker
Shelley Long, born on August 23, 1949, in the charming neighborhood of Indian Village in Fort Wayne, Indiana, had a childhood filled with promise and determination. Raised in the Presbyterian faith, she was a standout even in her teenage years. As a high school student, Shelley shone brightly on her speech team, competing in the Indiana High School Forensic Association. Her talent wasn’t just local; in 1967, she took home the National Championship in Original Oratory from the National Forensic League — a sign of her flair for performance.
After graduating high school, Shelley set her sights on drama at Northwestern University. Though she didn’t stay long enough to graduate, her time there wasn’t wasted. She worked as a meal plan checker on campus — perhaps the humblest of her early roles — before leaving academia to chase her dreams of acting and modeling.
After leaving Northwestern University to pursue her dreams, she started small, acting in television commercials and producing industrial and educational films. But Shelley’s charisma soon opened bigger doors.
She didn’t chose comedy, comedy chose her
In the late 1970s, she became the host of a news magazine show on Chicago television, a role that earned her three local Emmy Awards. Yet, despite her success, Long felt something was missing.
“It wasn’t until I got a little oats about missing acting that I decided to take a class at Second City,” she shared with Asbury Park Press.
That decision was transformative. The class led to an invitation to join the legendary comedy troupe, The Second City, whose alumni include Mike Nichols, Elaine May, Barbara Harris, and John Belushi. Long felt right at home.