Full actor profile
Shelley Long
Acting
91 known credits
1.5 popularity score 77 years
Biography
About Shelley Long
Shelley Long (born August 23, 1949) is an American retired actress, singer, and comedian. For her role as Diane Chambers on the hit sitcom Cheers, she received five Emmy nominations, winning in 1983 for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. She also won two Golden Globe Awards for the role. She reprised her role as Diane Chambers in three episodes of the spin-off Frasier, for which she received an additional guest star Emmy nomination.
She has starred in several films including Night Shift (1982), Irreconcilable Differences (1984), The Money Pit (1986), Outrageous Fortune (1987), Hello Again (1987), Troop Beverly Hills (1989), The Brady Bunch Movie (1995), A Very Brady Sequel (1996), and Dr. T & the Women (2000). While working on Cheers, she continued to appear in motion pictures. In 1984, she was nominated for a Best Leading Actress Golden Globe for her performance in Irreconcilable Differences. She also starred in the comedies The Money Pit and Outrageous Fortune. She was offered lead roles in Working Girl, Jumpin' Jack Flash, and My Stepmother Is an Alien but did not accept them. She was also offered the role of Mary, the mother in Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, but turned it down because she had already signed on to appear in Night Shift.
She left the series Cheers in 1987, but returned for the 200th Anniversary Special in 1990. She then returned as Diane in the last season (1992-1993), for which she picked up another Emmy nomination. She later reprise her role as Diane in several episodes of the Kelsey Grammer spinoff series Frasier, for which she was nominated for another Emmy Award.
She appeared as Carol Brady in the 1995 hit film The Brady Bunch Movie which is a campy take of the popular television show. In 1996, she reprised the role in A Very Brady Sequel which had modest success, and again in the 2002 television film sequel—The Brady Bunch in the White House.
She had a recurring role on the popular ABC sitcom Modern Family as DeDe Pritchett, the ex-wife of Jay Pritchett.
She has starred in several films including Night Shift (1982), Irreconcilable Differences (1984), The Money Pit (1986), Outrageous Fortune (1987), Hello Again (1987), Troop Beverly Hills (1989), The Brady Bunch Movie (1995), A Very Brady Sequel (1996), and Dr. T & the Women (2000). While working on Cheers, she continued to appear in motion pictures. In 1984, she was nominated for a Best Leading Actress Golden Globe for her performance in Irreconcilable Differences. She also starred in the comedies The Money Pit and Outrageous Fortune. She was offered lead roles in Working Girl, Jumpin' Jack Flash, and My Stepmother Is an Alien but did not accept them. She was also offered the role of Mary, the mother in Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, but turned it down because she had already signed on to appear in Night Shift.
She left the series Cheers in 1987, but returned for the 200th Anniversary Special in 1990. She then returned as Diane in the last season (1992-1993), for which she picked up another Emmy nomination. She later reprise her role as Diane in several episodes of the Kelsey Grammer spinoff series Frasier, for which she was nominated for another Emmy Award.
She appeared as Carol Brady in the 1995 hit film The Brady Bunch Movie which is a campy take of the popular television show. In 1996, she reprised the role in A Very Brady Sequel which had modest success, and again in the 2002 television film sequel—The Brady Bunch in the White House.
She had a recurring role on the popular ABC sitcom Modern Family as DeDe Pritchett, the ex-wife of Jay Pritchett.
Photos
Profile gallery








Career at a glance
Shelley Long across film and television
89credited titles
60movie credits
29TV credits
1979–2021screen career span
Recognition
Awards received
This list may not represent every nomination or win.
Notable work
Recent movies and TV shows
From FMM Reviews
Reviews and guides you may enjoy
Movie guide
Neagley (2026): Cast, Story, Seasons and Episodes
A complete guide to Neagley, including its story, cast, release details, seasons and episodes, ratings, and where to watch or download it.
Read the full guide TV guide
Show! Music Core (2005): Series Review, Plot, Cast and Episodes
This Show! Music Core (2005) review examines the reality series through its premise, storytelling, cast, performances, themes, production choices and audience response.
Read the full guide Movie guide
Insidious (2011): Movie Review, Plot, Cast and Verdict
This Insidious (2011) review examines the horror and thriller film through its premise, storytelling, cast, performances, themes, production choices and audience response.
Read the full guide


