Actor Kelsey Grammer endorsed reality television personality Spencer Pratt in the Los Angeles mayoral race on Friday, taking aim at incumbent Mayor Karen Bass just days before voters head to the polls in the city’s June 2 primary election.
Grammer, best known for his roles in “Cheers” and “Frasier,” made the remarks while leaving a campaign event in Westlake Village. Speaking with the New York Post, the actor offered a sharp critique of Bass and expressed confidence that Pratt represents the strongest alternative in the race.
“I just call her Karen Bass-ackwards,” Grammer said. “That’s what we’ve always called her in my house.”
The actor went on to argue that Pratt is the only candidate capable of bringing meaningful change to Los Angeles.
“He’s the only guy that’s a real option,” Grammer told the outlet. “We know what the rest is going to do.”
The endorsement comes as polling suggests a competitive race heading into Tuesday’s nonpartisan primary. According to a UC Berkeley-Los Angeles Times survey cited by CNBC, Bass leads the field with 26% support, followed closely by Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman at 25%. Pratt placed third at 22%, putting him within striking distance of the frontrunners.
Pratt launched his mayoral campaign after losing his Pacific Palisades home during the devastating wildfires that swept through parts of Southern California earlier this year. Since entering the race, he has focused heavily on issues including homelessness, crime, public safety, wildfire preparedness, and the cost of doing business in Los Angeles.
Speaking with CNBC, Pratt said his decision to run was motivated by frustration with local leadership and a desire to advocate for residents affected by the city’s challenges.
“I only got into the race because nobody else was going to run,” Pratt said. “I had to step up for my community and for Los Angeles.”
Grammer also weighed in on California Gov. Gavin Newsom during his conversation with the New York Post. When asked about the governor, the actor suggested he was ready to move on from the state’s current political leadership.
“I just hope we’ve heard the last of him,” Grammer said.
The comments came during an event featuring Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent at an Italian restaurant near the Ventura County border. According to KCLU, Bessent attended to promote the Trump administration’s “Trump Accounts” initiative, which provides $1,000 in federally funded seed money for investment accounts tied to the stock market for children born during President Donald Trump’s second term.
Grammer, who recently welcomed a son, told the public radio station that he has already signed up his 8-month-old child for the program.
During his remarks to attendees, Bessent criticized California’s leadership and management. “California is a great state — it’s just horribly run,” he said.
Grammer echoed that sentiment throughout the event, praising Bessent as a “rockstar” while also delivering additional criticism of the state’s political establishment. His endorsement of Pratt adds another high-profile voice to a mayoral race that has increasingly drawn national attention as voters weigh concerns over public safety, housing affordability, and the city’s response to recent disasters.
