logo
GettyImages
GettyImages

‘Cheers’ Star Shelley Long Once Reflected on Tom Cruise's Kissing Skills

Aby Rivas
Nov 16, 2019
11:30 A.M.

Shelley Long, better known for her role in the ‘80s hit series “Cheers,” once bragged on TV about getting to work with a young Tom Cruise before he became a Hollywood heartthrob, and even gave details of his “overboard” kissing skills.

Advertisement

Shelley Long is better remembered for her role as the know-it-all waitress Diane Chambers on NBC’s hit comedy “Cheers,” which ran from 1982 to 1993 through 11 seasons.

Shelley Long arrives October 10, 2000 at the New York premiere of Artisan Entertainment''s "Dr. T & The Women" at The Ziegfeld Theatre in New York | Photo: GettyImages

Shelley Long arrives October 10, 2000 at the New York premiere of Artisan Entertainment''s "Dr. T & The Women" at The Ziegfeld Theatre in New York | Photo: GettyImages

However, Long wasn’t in the show for the long run. She famously decided to leave after the series’ fifth season to pursue a career on the big screen, a decision that was criticized by fans back then.

Long also cited wanting to spend more time with her children as one of the reasons why she left and has stated that “working at ‘Cheers’ was a dream come true...it was one of the most satisfying experiences of my life. So, yes, I missed it, but I never regretted that decision.”

After the show

Advertisement

After leaving the show, Long went on to star in several movies like “Troop Beverly Hills,” “Don't Tell Her It's Me,” “Frozen Assets,” and two films based on the popular TV show “The Brady Bunch.”

Promotional portrait of American actors Ted Danson and Shelley Long from the TV series, 'Cheers,' 1982 | Photo: GettyImages

Promotional portrait of American actors Ted Danson and Shelley Long from the TV series, 'Cheers,' 1982 | Photo: GettyImages

She also returned for the series finale of “Cheers” in 1993, and reprised her role as Diane in several episodes of Kelsey Grammer’s spinoff series “Frasier.”

Shelly also appeared on the series “8 Simple Rules,” “Yes Dear,” “Strong Medicine,” and “Boston Legal,” and had a recurring role as DeDe Pritchett on “Modern Family.”

In 2016, Long produced and acted in the feature film “Different Flowers,” in which she gave life to a grandmother for the first time.

Advertisement
Shelley Long arrive for the NBC 75th Anniversary celebration taking place live in Studio 8H in Rockefeller Center in New York City, May 5, 2002 | Photo: GettyImages

Shelley Long arrive for the NBC 75th Anniversary celebration taking place live in Studio 8H in Rockefeller Center in New York City, May 5, 2002 | Photo: GettyImages

A memorable co-star

Throughout her 40-year-long career, Shelley has had the chance to work with a wide arrange of male actors as her leading men, but there was one who left a huge impression on her in the early ‘80s: the one and only Tom Cruise.

On a visit to “The Rosie O'Donnell Show” in 1996, which was recorded a few days before then, “Jerry Maguire” star Tom Cruise’s own interview, Long took the chance to brag about her work with the rising superstar.

While talking about “Cheers” and how fun it was to film the show, Long brought up the “good kissing” from her co-star Ted Danson and stopped herself to add: “Speaking of good kissing,” taking a pointed look at the sign O’Donnell had in her desk promoting Cruise’s visit.

Advertisement
Tom Cruise attends the European premiere of "Rock Of Ages" at Odeon Leicester Square on June 10, 2012 | Photo: GettyImages

Tom Cruise attends the European premiere of "Rock Of Ages" at Odeon Leicester Square on June 10, 2012 | Photo: GettyImages

“Tommy, my boyfriend, he’s coming on the show on Tuesday,” O’Donnell said. “Do you know him?”

Long then explained that she did with a film with Cruise, “it’s called ‘Losin’ It,’ and I was the older woman with which he…lost it,” she said.

O’Donnell was a bit taken aback because she didn’t know of the existence of the 1983 film, which was one of Cruise’s earliest roles on the big screen.

Tom Cruise at media call for 'Far and Away' in Sydney, 1992 | Photo: GettyImages

Tom Cruise at media call for 'Far and Away' in Sydney, 1992 | Photo: GettyImages

Advertisement

The juicy details

The film, directed by Curtis Hanson, follows a group of young men trying to lose their virginity as they embark on a trip to Tijuana, Mexico.

They end up picking up Long’s character Kathy, a heartbroken older woman who was in town seeking a fast divorce from her husband.

“Did you actually had a sex scene with Mr. Cruise?” O’Donnell wanted to know.

Shelley Long arrives at A Must-See TV Tribute on July 9, 2004 at the Hollywood Bowl, in Los Angeles, California | Photo: GettyImages

Shelley Long arrives at A Must-See TV Tribute on July 9, 2004 at the Hollywood Bowl, in Los Angeles, California | Photo: GettyImages

“Oh yes, we actually did, I don’t think it got into the movie, but we had it,” Long joked.

Shelley continued explaining that they kissed a lot while filming that one scene, and when asked if Cruise was a good kisser, she said: “I would rate him very highly.”

Advertisement

Shelley doesn’t rate her leads…or not

Long continued explaining that, her eagerness to share details about how great of a kisser Cruise was almost got her in trouble when, someone who overheard her talking about it, sold the story to the tabloids.

Shelley Long attends the Museum of Television and Radio Cocktail Party on September 9, 2004 | Photo: GettyImages

Shelley Long attends the Museum of Television and Radio Cocktail Party on September 9, 2004 | Photo: GettyImages

The thing is, they made it seem like Shelley had been rating all of her male co-stars and their kissing abilities. But she said:

“I never rate my lead. They're all wonderful.”

However, when pushed by O’Donnell to know Tom’s rating, Shelley didn’t hesitate before saying:

"Oh, very high. Off the scale.”

Advertisement
Ted Danson and Shelley Long onstage at the 2006 TV Land Awards at the Barker Hangar on March 19, 2006 | Photo: GettyImages

Ted Danson and Shelley Long onstage at the 2006 TV Land Awards at the Barker Hangar on March 19, 2006 | Photo: GettyImages

Life out of the spotlight

After divorcing Bruce Tyson, her husband of 22 years, in 2003, Shelley Long fell into a dark space in her life, eventually making headlines less than a year later when she overdosed on painkillers.

At the time, the actress was rushed to the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, where she remained hospitalized for a week.

Friends of the star revealed that she had been depressed for a while and not coping well with the end of her marriage.

 Shelley Long visits Hallmark's "Home & Family" at Universal Studios Hollywood on November 3, 2017 | Photo: GettyImages

Shelley Long visits Hallmark's "Home & Family" at Universal Studios Hollywood on November 3, 2017 | Photo: GettyImages

Two years later, she declared:

“I’m doing really well. We all have our struggles. We have these days where we have to put one foot in front of the other. I’ve had a few of those days in the last couple of years. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

These days Long keeps herself away from the spotlight.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Tom Cruise's Rumored Girlfriend, a Mom of Two, Breaks His 33 Age Limit – Details of His Alleged Partner

February 14, 2024

Marisa Tomei Has Never Had a Husband or Been Engaged as Rumored

December 07, 2023

Cher Called Tom Cruise One of Her ‘Top-Five’ Lovers despite 16-Year Age Difference – Inside Their Love Story

January 26, 2024

Brian Keith’s 3 Spouses Were All Actresses — Facts about His Marriages

December 13, 2023

Fans Say Suri Cruise Looks Like 'Female Version Of Tom Cruise' At 17 — How She Changed Throughout the Years

December 07, 2023

Nicole Kidman Signed Prenup Which Helped Keith Urban Get Sober & Made Him Change for His Family

January 23, 2024

7 Celebrities in Swimsuit That Caused a Strong Reaction among Users – Photos

February 20, 2024

7 Celebrities in Swimsuit That Caused a Strong Reaction among Users – Photos

February 19, 2024

Mariska Hargitay, Mom of 3, Has Been Slammed for Getting ‘Fat’ Yet Loves Her ‘Curves’ & Beams in Form-Fitting Dress

February 16, 2024

‘Sister Wives’ Star Christine Brown, 51, Poses in Her ‘Too Big’ & ‘Odd’ Wedding Gown with Plunging Neckline

January 31, 2024

Son of ‘Cheers’ Star Learns His Mom Is Dead While Boarding Plane after She Said She Loved & Missed Him

November 30, 2023

Toby Keith Was a ‘Man of Faith’ & Leaned on It Every Day before His Death – Inside His Last Days

February 07, 2024

Meg Ryan's Looks Have Changed since She Disappeared after Divorce – Now She's a Single Mom of 2

November 08, 2023

Tom Cruise’s Daughter, 17, Is Called Dad’s ‘Spitting Image’ after Her NYC Stroll in Stylish Outfit

February 15, 2024