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On July 1, 1975, Kelsey Grammer's younger sister, 18-year-old Karen Grammer, was raped and murdered---now, for the first time, Kelsey discusses how it has affected him and the hope and healing he has found in the decades since.
About the author
Kelsey Grammer is an Emmy-winning actor, producer, and director with a career spanning over three decades in television, film, and theatre. He has earned six Emmy Awards, three Golden Globes, a SAG Award, and 18 Emmy nominations. Grammer is globally known for his iconic portrayal of Dr. Frasier Crane, a role he played across Cheers, Frasier, and Wings for over 20 years. He is currently producing and starring in the Frasier revival streaming on Paramount+.
Grammer's film credits include notable roles in The Space Between, The God Committee, The Marvels, Jesus Revolution, Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, and X-Men: The Last Stand, as well as a standout voice role as Sideshow Bob on The Simpsons since 1990, for which he won an Emmy in 2006.
His other voice work includes Toy Story 2, Anastasia, and Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans. Grammer's television roles include Dr. Death, The Last Tycoon, Boss (for which he won a Golden Globe), and Partners.
On stage, Grammer's impressive career includes a Tony nomination for his role in La Cage aux Folles on Broadway and a return to London’s West End in Man of La Mancha. He also starred in Candide with L.A. Opera and participated in a live performance of Beauty and the Beast at the Hollywood Bowl. In his early career he received acclaim for his off-Broadway theatre, and roles in Macbeth, Othello, and My Fair Lady.
A seasoned producer, Grammer founded Grammnet Productions, which produced hits like Medium and The Game. He is also behind the Frasier reboot, the Phat Tuesdays docuseries, and the 2024 The Game revival.
Grammer was born in the U.S. Virgin Islands and raised in New Jersey and Florida. He currently divides his time between Los Angeles and New York.
Summary
New York Times Bestseller
One of Oprah Daily’s Most Anticipated Books of 2025
People’s Best Books of May 2025
On July 1, 1975, Kelsey Grammer’s younger sister, eighteen-year-old Karen Grammer, was raped and murdered. In Karen, Kelsey reveals their past, celebrates their youth together, mourns her loss, and unearths his struggle for faith and healing in the decades since her death.
Karen by Kelsey Grammer delves into the tragic story of the author’s sister, Karen, who was brutally murdered at the age of eighteen. Kelsey was just twenty years old when his younger sister, a recent high school graduate, moved to Colorado Springs, where she was kidnapped by several men who had intended to rob the Red Lobster where she worked. They instead kidnapped Karen, raped her, and ultimately stabbed her to death.
Through this memoir, Grammer poignantly recounts the memories of his sister and the impact her loss had on his life and family. With raw honesty, Grammer explores the profound grief and devastation that followed Karen’s death, as well as the long and arduous journey toward healing. He bravely confronts the pain of losing a loved one to senseless violence, offering readers a glimpse into the complexities of coping with such a profound loss.
Karen also serves as a testament to Grammer’s lifelong journey with grief and his struggle to defeat the sting of death with the memory of a life filled with joy—irreplaceable joy. In sharing his story, Grammer aims to help others who have experienced similar loss, offering solace and encouragement to cherish the love they knew, however brief, on their own path toward healing.
This book is a moving tribute to Karen and the brother’s love that survives her.
