Martin "Marty" Crane is the father of Frasier and Niles Crane. He was born in 1932 so he will be 69 this year.He is the complete opposite of his two sons, preferring a beer rather than a fine wine and a baseball game rather than an opera.

Martin was married to Hester, the boy's mother, for 35 years before she died. They were devoted to each other and Martin was devastated at his loss. He often refers to his wife throughout the series. Martin and Hester were complete opposites - she was like Frasier and Niles, he was down-to-earth - but she never made him feel out of place or inferior - something Martin says his sons should learn.

Martin's job was a Seattle cop. He was forced to retire after he was shot in the leg by a thug robbing a convenience store. This injury caused him to be unable to walk and he needs a stick or crutch to help him around. The injury eventually meant he was unable to take care of himself and he had three options - nursing home, move in with Niles or move in with Frasier. He took the last option because a home was "too drastic an action" according to the boys and he and Niles' wife Maris didn't get on well.

When he took his father in, Frasier also had to take in someone else - Eddie. Eddie is Martin's little terrier who is adored by everyone but detested by Frasier as Eddie keeps staring at him.

Obviously Frasier can't take care of Martin on his own (what with work etc) so he employed British care worker Daphne Moon to help out.

Frasier and Martin's relationship has improved a lot since they had to live together. At one stage they weren't speaking to each other after they had a massive row over the phone (Frasier told everyone else at the Cheers bar that both his parents were dead!!!). They both want to get along with each other but often try too hard to do so.

Martin deeply loves his sons and despite their differences he cares deeply for them. He often helps them with their problems or knows someone who can. Martin knows a lot of people such as his ex-force buddies or his drinking pals at bars such as Duke's. And sometimes Frasier and Niles need a straightforward, down to earth example to follow.

Martin also likes Angie Dickenson movies. His favourite type of beer is Ballentine's

Name: Martin Crane

Age: 69

Home: 1901 Elliot Bay Towers, Seattle, WA.

Job: Retired cop.

Relations: Hester (wife, deceased), Frasier and Niles (sons), Frederick (grandson), Walt (brother), Zora (sister-in-law), Nikos (nephew), Yvonne (niece).

Hester (wife, deceased) (1950ish - 1985)

Irene (1993)

Elaine (1993)

Maureen Cutler (1996 - 1997)

Sherry Dempsey (1997 - 1998)

Joanna Doyle (1998)

Bonnie (1998 - 1999)

Claire (2000)

Estelle (2001)

Penelope Jean Vie (2001)