The most unforgettable bar entrances in 'Cheers' history

The ‘Cheers’ cast and guest stars knew how to make an entrance!

‘Cheers’ became a household staple in homes across America for 11 seasons and still 'everybody knows their names.' The show launched the careers of some of the biggest TV stars including Ted Danson, Kelsey Grammer, Woody Harrelson, Kirstie Alley, Shelley Long, George Wendt, Rhea Perlman, and John Ratzenberg who all starred in the beloved NBC sitcom about friends catching up at their favorite bar in Boston.

Let’s look back on the iconic show’s best entrances and guest cameos, starting with the late George Wendt's portrayal of our favorite bar patron Norm Peterson.

No one made more of an entrance into ‘Cheers’ than Norm, followed by his hilarious one-liners dishing on his day before sitting down at his favorite stool for a beer. The actor who played Norm, George Wendt, died this year on May 20, exactly 32 years after the series finale in 1993. He was 76. Norm, will always be remembered for his 1-liners and his open tab on the hit sitcom that premiered on NBC in 1982.

RELATED: George Wendt, who played a beloved barfly on 'Cheers,' dies at 76

There wouldn’t be a bar to enter without Ted Danson’s character, Sam. He was the owner of Cheers and eventually Diane’s love interest. We think Sam and Diane, portrayed by actress Shelley Long, kicked the premiere off with their undeniable chemistry. Granted, Diane stumbled in the bar with her then-fiancé, who left her without a job or man. She eventually rebuilt her life as a Cheers waitress. Long left the show in season 5, leaving castmates "worried" about audiences responding well to her replacement.

WATCH: Cheers | Sam and Diane Meet For The First Time (S1, E1) | Paramount+

Long’s exit from the show left big shoes to fill. Arguably, one of the memorable entrances into the series came in 1987 when Kirstie Alley joined the cast as Rebecca in season 6. According to People, Alley dressed up as Long on her first day on set to “break the ice and get off to a fresh start.” ‘Cheers’ was the actress’s breakout role; later, she earned an Emmy for Best Actress in a Comedy in 1991. She died of colon cancer on Dec 5, 2022, at age 71.

RELATED: Kelsey Grammer gets emotional remembering Kirstie Alley, 'Cheers' at 2024 Emmys

And who could forget Frasier, played by Kelsey Grammer, who initially arrived in 1984 as Diane’s love interest but married fellow therapist Dr. Lilith. He considers ‘Cheers’ one of his first jobs in Hollywood. Dr. Frasier’s first appearance surely set the pace for a whirlwind romance between Sam and Diane.

WATCH: Frasier's First Appearance on NBC’s ‘Cheers’

It appears he found his footing meeting Lilith (Bebe Neuwirth), they get married and have a son together, before the two eventually divorce. Later, the actor had his own widely successful spinoff, ‘Frasier’, which premiered in 1991 and is currently a reboot also titled ‘Frasier’ on Paramount+. It’s a very full circle moment for ‘Cheers’ fans, but I’ve got to say this guest cameo of Lilith takes the cake when the former couple hilariously run into each other in the revival series.

WATCH: Frasier | Reuniting with Lilith (S1, E7) | Paramount+

RELATED: How Frasier Spinoff from Cheers

Seems like everyone was fighting for Frasier’s attention! In 1992, Emma Thompson made a cameo on ‘Cheers’ as Nanny Gee in season 10. Here’s the thing Nanny Gee had a history with Frasier and secretly still loved him, causing a fight to break out with wife Lilith when she serenades Frasier at their son’s birthday party. Still can’t get over this scene – having a kid’s part at a bar is wild!

WATCH: Nanny Gee Serenades Frasier on ‘Cheers’ at Son’s Birthday Party

Lots of romance happened in the Boston bar, including a guest cameo from Harry Connick Jr. The singer and pianist made an appearance as Woody’s cousin Russell Boyd in season 10 of ‘Cheers’, serenading Rebecca (Kirstie Alley) with a love song, ‘I’ll Dream of You Again.’

In 1990, Arsenio Hall made a cameo as himself in season 9, episode 4 titled ‘Where Nobody Knows Your Name.’ The talk show host appeared on TV reporting on Rebecca’s complicated love life with her beau, Robin. During a press run, Hall thanked the cast for having him guest star when they stopped by his talk show.

Another TV personality stopped by the series – Jeopardy host Alex Trebek guest-starred as himself when Cliff (John Ratzenberger) had a rough run on the game show. Ironically, Cliff is seen convincing Trebek to keep his job as a game show host, when in real life, ‘Jeopardy!’ successfully aired for 37 seasons. The beloved host died in 2020 of pancreatic cancer at the age of 80.

WATCH: Jeopardy Host Alex Trebek Guest Stars on ‘Cheers’

Last and certainly not least, Woody Harrelson made a lasting impression when he walked through the ‘Cheers’ doors in season 4, replacing Coach (Nicholas Colasanto), who died of a heart attack in 1985. Instead of recasting, the show’s creators wrote Coach out of the show and introduced the new co-bartender, Woody Boyd. Harrelson earned 6 EMMY nominations and a win for his role. During a ‘Cheers’ reunion at ATX TV Festival, George Wendt recalled Harrelson bringing a fresh dynamic to the cast. “The guy’s a charmer, he just walks in and bang, he’s amazing!” Wendt said.

WATCH: Woody Boyd Joins ‘Cheers’ Season 4

Lots of romance happened in the Boston bar, including a guest cameo from Harry Connick Jr. The singer and pianist made an appearance as Woody’s cousin Russell Boyd in season 10 of ‘Cheers’, serenading Rebecca (Kirstie Alley) with a love song, ‘I’ll Dream of You Again.’

WATCH: Harry Connick Jr. Sings ‘I’ll Dream of You Again’ on Cheers