John Mahoney died on Sunday at the age of 77 following a brief hospitalization. His death was confirmed by the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in a statement that said, “John Mahoney passed away due to complications from cancer while in hospice care on Sunday.” In recognition of Mahoney’s death, the theater canceled its opening night for “You Got Older.” They encouraged ticketholders to instead gather at the theater on Monday evening for remembrances and a moment of silence.

Mahoney was born in Blackpool, England and moved to the U.S. when he was 19.  He taught English at Western Illinois University and edited a medical magazine before deciding to study acting in Chicago when he was in his late 30s. The founding members of Steppenwolf Theatre Company, John Malkovich and Gary Sinise, invited Mahoney to join the theater shortly after he began acting. The theater at the time was filled with young actors, and they needed someone to play the older characters.

“By the time I started my career, most people had given up and started selling insurance,” Mahoney said. “I didn’t have so much competition.” During his state career, Mahoney appeared in “Prelude to a Kiss,” “The Outgoing Tide,” “The Birthday Party” and “The House of Blue Leaves” for which he won a Tony Award in 1986. It was his film career, however, that made Mahoney’s name.

John Mahoney is best known for playing the grouchy, sharp-witted Martin Crane on the show “Frasier.” The show ran for 11 seasons between 1993 and 2004. Mahoney received a SAG Award, two Emmy nominations and two Golden Globe nominations for his work on “Frasier.”

Outside of “Frasier,” Mahoney had a flourishing film and TV career. He had a reoccurring role in “Hot in Cleveland” as Betty White’s love interest and was praised for his performance of an anguished CEO in season 2 of HBO’s “In Treatment.” Mahoney also appeared in “ER,” “Burn Notice,” “Cheers” and “3rd Rock from the Sun.”

During his 35 years in film, Mahoney had roles in “The American President,” “Moonstruck,” “In the Line of Fire,” “Say Anything,” “Eight Men Out,” “Flipped” and “Barton Fink.” He also worked as a  voice actor for the animated films “Antz” and “Atlantis.”

On Monday, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel issued a statement mourning the loss of the prolific actor. “John Mahoney was a fixture on the Chicago state for more than 30 years through countless award-winning performances,” Emanuel said. “Even as his fame grew through his fantastic work in movies and television, John stayed connected to his artistic home here in Chicago in theaters and as a member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Though he will be missed, his work and impact will endure for generations to come.”

Prior to his death, it was believed that Mahoney’s health was improving after he beat his Stage 3 throat cancer. Steppenwolf Theatre artistic director Anna D. Shapiro, however, felt that the cancer left him in an extremely fragile state. “He was supposed to be having a routine procedure. But….I think he was just too weak,” Shapiro said. “By the time he did ‘The Rembrandt’ he was clean of cancer…but other health issues came up, and he was just too fragile.”

Cold comfort though it may be, Mahoney was able to spend his last days in Chicago, the city he loved. “The city is almost like a person to me,” Mahoney said after moving back to Chicago in 2004. “I can’t tell you why my heart is so full of Chicago, but it’s where I want to be. When I’m not here, I’m not as happy.” Though Chicago may be the city that he loved best, Mahoney will be mourned by more than just Chicago natives. He will be missed by friends and the many fans of both his screen and stage careers.