Shelley Long, born on August 23, 1949, in Indian Village, Fort Wayne, Indiana, is an American actress, singer, and comedian. Her career has spanned decades, and she is best known for her role as Diane Chambers on the hit sitcom Cheers, for which she received numerous accolades, including five Emmy nominations and two Golden Globe Awards.
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Marriage and Family
Shelley Long’s personal life has seen its share of ups and downs. Her first marriage to Ken Solomon ended in divorce in the 1970s. In 1979, she met her second husband, Bruce Tyson, a securities broker. The two tied the knot in 1981 and welcomed their daughter, Juliana. However, after over two decades of marriage, Long and Tyson separated in 2003 and officially divorced in 2004.
Since her divorce, Shelley Long has not remarried. Despite the challenges in her personal life, she has continued to focus on her career and remains a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
MAS*H and Other Ventures
While Shelley Long is most famous for her role on Cheers, she also made a notable guest appearance on the MAS*H TV series. In the Season 8 episode titled “Bottle Fatigue,” she portrayed Lt. Mendenhall, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
Long’s career extends beyond television, with a range of film projects. In 1984, she received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Leading Actress for her role in Irreconcilable Differences. Other notable films include The Money Pit, Outrageous Fortune, and Troop Beverly Hills.
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Departure from Cheers
Shelley Long’s departure from Cheers after the fifth season in 1987 was a significant moment in her career. Despite the show’s success, she chose to leave for a variety of reasons, emphasizing her desire to spend more time with her toddler daughter. In later interviews, Long expressed her love for the show and her co-stars but felt it was time to explore new opportunities and avoid the risk of the series becoming repetitive.
Post-Cheers Projects
Following her time on Cheers, Shelley Long ventured into various projects. She starred in films like Hello Again and Troop Beverly Hills, as well as television miniseries like Voices Within: The Lives of Truddi Chase. Long also made a return to Cheers for its series finale in 1993 and reprised her role as Diane Chambers in Frasier, earning her additional award nominations.
Modern Family and Recent Projects
In 2009, Shelley Long joined the cast of the popular ABC comedy series Modern Family, playing the recurring role of DeDe Pritchett, the ex-wife of Jay Pritchett. Her performance garnered attention, showcasing her enduring talent and versatility.
More recently, Long has been involved in projects like the film Different Flowers (2016) and the TV movie Give Me Pity! (2022). While her personal life has experienced challenges, Shelley Long continues to captivate audiences with her acting prowess.
In conclusion, Shelley Long’s journey in the entertainment industry has been marked by success, challenges, and resilience. From Cheers to MAS*H and beyond, her contributions to television and film remain noteworthy, and her talent continues to shine in various projects.
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