Meet Spencer Grammer, Kelsey Grammer’s voice actress daughter known as Rick and Morty’s Summer Smith – but why did the Frasier star’s ex-wife Camille Meyer once accuse her of being a spy?
- The actor, producer, director and Columbia University graduate has quietly built a strong Hollywood career; she also starred in The 12 Days of Christmas Eve to rebuild her relationship with her dad
- She got stabbed once at a New York City restaurant – her son Emmett supported her through physical rehab – and she posted a touching Instagram tribute to her stepdad, Dr Bill Skinner, who just died
You might not instantly recognise Spencer Grammer if you ran into her on the street, but you’d probably recognise her voice. The eldest daughter of Hollywood star Kelsey Grammer is famous for her role as the voice of Summer Smith in the hit animated series Rick and Morty. Fans are sure to be looking forward to spin-off Rick and Morty: The Anime, directed by Tower of God’s Takashi Sano and featuring new Japanese voice actors in the titular roles, which is premiering on August 15. Grammer is set to reprise her role in Rick and Morty Season 8 that’s scheduled to release next year.
Recently, Grammer took to Instagram to post a heartfelt tribute to Dr Bill Skinner, her stepfather and “the man I consider as my father”, who died earlier this month. In the post’s caption, Grammer spoke about how supportive Skinner was, saying that he “showed up as [her] dad”, even after separating from her mum, Doreen Alderman. “He always gave me a hug, always listened, always believed in me, and always supported me,” Grammer wrote as she grieved her loss.
Meanwhile, US media reports that Spencer’s biological father, Frasier star Kelsey Grammer, has been working on repairing his relationship with his daughter after regretting that he’d previously “let her down”. They starred in the Lifetime movie The 12 Days of Christmas Eve together in 2022 – an experience that Spencer told Page Six was “healing” at the time.
But what else do we know about Spencer Grammer, who brought us iconic characters like Summer Smith and Casey Cartwright (from Greek)?
What is Spencer Grammer’s background?
Spencer Karen Grammer was born on October 9, 1983 in Los Angeles to Kelsey Grammer and Doreen Alderman – a singer, dancer and actor. Her middle name comes from her late aunt, Kelsey’s sister, per IMDB. Her half-siblings from her father’s side include Greer Grammer, who the Cheers star shares with hairstylist Barrie Buckner; Mason and Jude Grammer, from model and actress Camille Meyer; and Faith, Kelsey and Auden Grammer, from his now-wife Kayte Walsh. Faith’s twin brother died in the womb, per People.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Spencer graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a bachelor’s degree in theatre performance and got her MFA in film directing/screenwriting from Columbia University.
She is divorced and a mother of one
Grammer married James Hesketh in 2011, just a day after her father’s divorce from Camille Meyer was finalised, according to US Magazine. Per Us Weekly, the thrifty bride bought her wedding dress on eBay.