Kelsey Grammer maintains a hopeful outlook on the future of the United States.
As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary of independence, the acclaimed actor, known for his roles in "Cheers" and "Frasier," portrays aristocrat Thomas Fairfax in the new historical drama "Young Washington." This production chronicles the early life of George Washington during the French and Indian War, long before he assumed the presidency.
"This is something I've been sorting through for a while now, but I do think the greatest hope for any future wisdom in America has already been written in the actions and words of our Founding Fathers," Grammer explained.
The 71-year-old actor urged, "We need to look to them for the guidance that they have, that we have today, to become the great nation that they dreamed of."
He elaborated on this vision, stating, "We can share that dream. It’s a dream that still holds up. It’s a dream that holds up for everyone. No matter what your origin is, the diversity that we all talk about, this is a unifying concept about what greatness is in a nation, and it has to do with us all being equal."
Grammer clarified that this equality refers to opportunity, not outcome. "And it doesn't mean there's an equal result — it just means we have an equal opportunity to carve out our happiness," he added.
Embracing Founding Principles for a Unified Nation
When questioned about a singular American quality he hopes will never fade, Grammer responded with enthusiasm: "Optimism."
Grammer's engagement with George Washington's narrative spans more than four decades. His early television career included a role as Lt. Stewart in the 1984 CBS miniseries "George Washington," predating his iconic part in "Cheers" later that year.
Nearly two decades later, he personified Washington again in the 2003 television movie "Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor." In 2022, he further delved into the nation's formative years by hosting an eight-part series that examined the military conflicts instrumental in shaping the United States. He continued his exploration of Washington's legacy as both host and executive producer of a 2024 docudrama titled "George: Rise of a Revolutionary."
The Enduring Cherry Tree Legend
Despite years of studying the man often depicted on the dollar bill, one particular question still amused Grammer. When asked what he would inquire about if he could sit down with Washington, Grammer chuckled and posed, "Did you really chop down the cherry tree?"
This query references one of the most persistent anecdotes in American folklore. The tale recounts a young Washington receiving a hatchet, then accidentally felling his father's prized cherry tree. When confronted, he purportedly confessed, declaring, "I cannot tell a lie, Pa; you know I cannot tell a lie. I did cut it with my hatchet." Legend has it that instead of punishment, Washington's father was so impressed by his son's honesty that he forgave him.
The story encapsulates virtues traditionally associated with Washington: integrity, humility, and moral courage. However, historians confirm there is no factual basis for the event. The anecdote first appeared after Washington's death in an 1806 biography by Mason Locke Weems, a clergyman and traveling bookseller who utilized Washington's life to impart moral lessons to young readers. Though likely apocryphal, the cherry tree narrative became deeply embedded in American culture, contributing to the first president's transformation into a national folk hero.
Reflecting on the story, Grammer remarked, "I don't know. I doubt he chopped down a cherry tree unless he thought it was a dying tree. I mean, it would’ve been a pretty silly thing to do." He humorously added, "What the hell were you thinking? I say that to my sons all the time. That seems to be a universal question for most fathers to their sons, ‘What were you thinking?’"
Lessons for Contemporary Leadership
Grammer has previously suggested that today's political figures could benefit from studying the nation's first president. He once noted that "George Washington was not particularly tolerant of fools." He added, "He stood up against stuff that he thought was whimsical, or not particularly focused on what really saves the people. I don’t think he was a fan of big government. I think he was a fan of small government."
Grammer also observed, "He was humble enough to say, ‘I am not perfect, but I am not going to quit.’ That’s what I’d like to see in Washington, [DC], honestly."
In anticipation of July 4th, Angel Studios announced a collaboration with the U.S. Department of State to arrange screenings of "Young Washington" at American embassies globally. The film's producers articulated the message behind its international release: "In this film, we see what Fairfax saw — a young man wrestling with responsibility, ambition, failure, and purpose. That humanity is what makes his eventual greatness so inspiring. As this film travels to embassies around the world on the eve of America’s 250th anniversary, I hope audiences are reminded that freedom is not just an inheritance, but a responsibility to be carried forward by every generation."
