In the world of sitcoms, few characters become as endearing and memorable as Daphne Moon from the iconic show ‘Frasier’.
The woman behind this beloved character, Jane Leeves, has a story as captivating as any of her on-screen roles.
Born in the English countryside, Leeves’ journey from Ilford to the bustling streets of Hollywood is nothing short of a fairy tale.
Her transformation from a ballet dancer in the UK to one of television’s most cherished actresses is a testament to her talent, perseverance, and undeniable charm.
In this article, we’ll traverse the life and career of Jane Leeves, exploring the highs, the lows, and the moments that made her the legend she is today. Join us as we celebrate the woman who brought Daphne Moon to life and captured the hearts of millions.
Background Information
Jane Elizabeth Leeves was born in Ilford, Essex, England, on April 18th, 1961.
Leeves is the daughter of Collin and Ruth Leeves, an engineer and nurse, respectively. She was raised in East Grinstead, Sussex, along with two sisters and a brother.
She would train as a ballerina for a time but would suffer an ankle injury. She also worked as a model. Details on her life before her professional career are somewhat private. By 1981 she would make her debut in the British film and television industry.
Early Career
Jane Leeves’ first credit role was in the 1981 television film Nice to See You! The role was relatively minor, however, and instead, she is more noted for a brief appearance in 4 episodes of the long-running The Benny Hill Show as one of Hill’s Angels. She would appear periodically on The Benny Hill Show from 1983 to 1985.
Her experience dancing also landed her a small role in the 1983 Monty Python film The Meaning Of Life. She would also appear in several music videos at the time due to her good looks and dancing abilities, such as her appearance in the David Lee Roth video “California Girls” in 1985.
However, the most significant role in her early career would be as the character Prudence Anne ‘Blue’ Bartlett in the sitcom Throb. This would be a leading role in an American sitcom from 1986 to 1988. She would appear in all 48 episodes across two seasons of the show.
Acting Career
From 1989 to 1993, Jane Leeves would appear as the character Audrey Cohen in the sitcom Murphy Brown. She would appear in nine episodes in total. She would also appear on a string of episodes of Seinfeld as Marla Penny from 1992 to 1998.
Frasier
Her most notable role, however, would be when she joined the cast of Frasier. She played the character of Daphne Moon across 263 episodes of the 265 total episodes of the series, which ran from 1993 to 2004.
Daphne Moon, later Daphne Crain, was a pretty down-to-earth character who was exasperated by the snobbery of the Cranes and was a working-class foil from Manchester.
Jane Leeves would only make about $400,000 per episode compared to Kelsey Grammar, who made four times what she made. She also made about half of what David Hyde Pierce made.
There was also some controversy when her pregnancy in real life resulted in weight gain, and the show wrote it off as her becoming addicted to food. Many fans found that distasteful.
Levees would also have other notable roles in film and television. She appeared in seven episodes of the show Misconceptions in 2006 and a leading role in the comedy Hot in Cleveland from 2010-2015.
She is also known for extensive voice-acting work, including roles in the Hercules animated series in 1998 as Athena and the film James and the Giant Peach (1996). She would also appear in the animated series Phineas and Ferb in several voice-acting roles.
What is Jane Leeves doing now?
Jane Leeves is still acting today as a recurring character in the medical drama "The Resident."
The Resident delves into the lives and duties of staff members at the fictional Chastain Park Memorial Hospital, offering a critical perspective on the real-life bureaucratic practices of the healthcare industry.
Jane Leeves plays the character Elizabeth Katherine “Kitt” Voss, who is introduced in the second season. Dr. Kitt Voss is an orthopedic surgeon. In the fourth season, she takes on the role of CEO after Chastain transitions into a public hospital. Furthermore, her character’s personal life also sees development as she marries Dr. Bell in the sixth season after the two began a romantic relationship in the fifth season.
Will she be in the Frasier revival?
The announcement of a “Frasier” revival t by Paramount+ certainly stirred excitement among fans of the iconic sitcom. Kelsey Grammer, who played the titular character, Dr. Frasier Crane, is confirmed to return.
However, many fans have been curious about the involvement of the original cast, especially Leeves, who portrayed the beloved character Daphne Moon.
As of recent reports, Jane Leeves has made it clear that she won’t be leaving her current TV show to join the “Frasier” reboot. This decision has undoubtedly left many fans disappointed, as Daphne’s character was integral to the original series, providing warmth, humor, and a unique dynamic to the Crane family.
While the exact reasons for her decision remain personal, it’s evident that the reboot will have to navigate the absence of such a pivotal character. Whether the show will introduce new characters or find a creative way to address Daphne’s absence remains to be seen. Regardless, the reboot promises to bring back the charm and wit that made “Frasier” a television classic.
Although she won’t be part of the new Frasier revival, she still has many connections to the cast.
Janes Leeves is still friends with her Fraiser costars Peri Gilpen and David Hyde Pierce. Both of them are the godparents to her children.
Personal Life
Janes Leeves is married to Marshall Coben. The two were married on December 21st, 1996, at St. Michael’s Church in Withyham, Sussex.
Marshall Coben is a CBS Paramount Television executive. He may have started in the industry as a post-production assistant on a television series.
Marshall was an executive when he and Leeves began dating in the early to mid-1990s. He does not appear in the media much.
Children
Jane Leeves has had two children with her husband, Marshall. Their first child was Isabella Kathryn Coben, known as Bizzy Coben, born on January 9, 2001.
She has made appearances on Modern Family and Young Sheldon in 2019. Peri Gilpin, Leeves’ Frasier co-star, was in the delivery room when Isabella was born.
Janes Leeves’ second child with Marshall was Finn William Leeves Coben. Finn was born on December 19th, 2003. He has not yet made any television appearances. Is godparents are John Mahoney and David Hyde Pierce.
