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.
“I didn’t choose comedy. I felt that comedy chose me, and I feel grateful that it did,” she said.
After honing her comedic chops, Long transitioned to film. She landed roles in Caveman (starring alongside Ringo Starr), Losin’ It (an early Tom Cruise film), and Night Shift (with Michael Keaton). She even made a guest appearance as Nurse Mendenhall in an episode of MASH.
Interestingly, Long turned down the chance to play Mary, the mother in Steven Spielberg’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, because she had already committed to Night Shift.
The truth about her wig in Cheers
In 1982, Shelley Long took on the role that would define her career: Diane Chambers in the sitcom Cheers. Diane, a flighty, pseudo-intellectual barmaid, quickly became a fan favorite. While the show had a slow start, it eventually became one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time.
Long’s portrayal of Diane earned her critical acclaim, including an Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards. Shelley Long brought some fascinating trivia to her time on Cheers. To protect her hair from the hot studio lights, she opted to wear a wig during filming. Additionally, she wrapped up shooting the third season while eight months pregnant with her daughter, Juliana Long Tyson.
Tensions on set
After five seasons, Long made the surprising decision to leave the show in 1987.
Amid her departure, rumors swirled about a potential return, her relationship with her replacement Kirstie Alley, and tensions with co-star Ted Danson. Long remained tight-lipped at the time, but years later, Ted Danson shed some light on the dynamics.
“There was tension between us but never at a personal level—always at a work level because we had different modes of working,” Danson explained in a Cheers biography documentary.
”I ain’t gonna say anything bad about my partner. I mean, my wife and I have terrible arguments sometimes, and they’re kind of our business. Our relationship, Shelley’s and mine, has included not being happy with each other and being happy with each other,” Danson told People in 1987.
Why did Shelley Long leave Cheers
Long herself reflected on her time as Diane, admitting she had more in common with the character than she might have liked to acknowledge. Still, she often carried the show with her performances, which balanced humor and vulnerability.
In a 2003 interview with Graham Norton, Long shared that her departure from Cheers was motivated by a desire to spend more time with her daughter.
“Working at Cheers was a dream come true,” she said. “It was one of the most satisfying experiences of my life. So, yes, I missed it, but I never regretted that decision.”
”I had a two-year-old baby, and I wanted to spend more time with my family…And I did spend more time with my family. It was a good decision.”