Daphne & Me: My Life on Frasier

by Jane Leeves

Jane Leeves—who starred as Frasier’s beloved and eccentric Daphne Moon—tells her unique and intimate story of coming into her own on one of the most successful sitcoms ever made.

Over the course of more than a decade, Jane Leeves, a former ballerina from humble beginnings in England, saw her life turn on its head as she made a family on and off the set of Frasier—a show that would make her career. As the character Daphne Moon—a live-in physical therapist hired to take care of Frasier Crane’s father—she acted as a perfect, down-to-earth foil to pompous Frasier and his equally pretentious brother, Niles. As Daphne and Niles were falling head-over-heels for each other in one of television’s great romances, Jane was finding her own true love on the Paramount lot and eventually, having children—one of whom calls David Hyde Pierce “godfather.”

Eleven seasons and a record-breaking thirty-seven Emmys later, Leeves and the cast and crew of Frasier made television history in making one of the most beloved and influential sitcoms of all time. Now in Daphne & Me she recounts the most monumental years of her life, sharing the hilarious and moving stories she’s collected over the years, and revisiting remarkable moments behind the scenes of the iconic show we all know and love.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, Audiobook, History

Audible Audio

Published October 20, 2026

Reviews

[Wendy Jonson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great read for fans of Jane Leeves and the tv series, Frasier. And part of the reason it’s so good is that Jane and her character Daphne are absolutely lovable. The book reads like you are sitting with a close friend, and she’s telling you stories about her life. Although the majority of the book takes place at the time she was on Frasier, she does talk about growing up and different life events that led her to the famous show. If you haven’t watched Frasier yet and you plan to, wait to read this book as she talks about what happens in her favorite episodes. For those of us who know the series, it’s a fantastic walk down memory lane as Jane reminisces about different shows and gives backstories as to what was going on behind the scenes. It is evident that Jane adored, appreciated and was very grateful for her time on the show, and she truly loves her family and the other people in her work and home life. Thanks for the glimpse into your life, Jane! And thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the digital ARC.

[Camille Maio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frasier is my all-time favorite show. My comfort show during tornados, my clear-my-head show at the end of a long day. So it was my absolute joy to find out that Jane Leeves had written a memoir about her eleven years as Daphne. I loved the insights into favorite episodes, reminiscences about the friendship of the cast and crews, and honesty about challenges. I particularly appreciated that it read like you were talking to a friend. Highly recommend for fellow tossed salads and scrambled eggs.

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this! It was exactly what I expected from the cover blurb; Jane Leeves’ adventures as Daphne Moon on “Frasier”. Of course there was some information and pictures that gave some “back story” about her family and early training as a dancer, but the majority of the book was about Jane’s stint on the show. And it did not disappoint!

*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

[Daya · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

Interesting hearing about her days at Frasier but I was expecting the audio to be narrated by Jane Leeves and was disappointed that it wasn't.

[Margie Bunting · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a big fan of the sitcom Frasier, I was delighted to see that Jane Leeves, who played Frasier's father's caregiver Daphne Moon for all 11 award-winning seasons, has written a memoir titled Daphne and Me, together with her daughter.

Originally from England and wanting nothing so much as a career as a ballerina, Jane had to switch gears after an injury when she was 16. Moving to London at 18, she started to get small dance jobs on stage and in music videos, then strictly acting jobs, notably on comedian Benny Hill's sketch comic TV show, before trying for an acting career in Los Angeles. She had some success with guest star and recurring roles on such shows as Murphy Brown and Seinfeld before lucking into the pilot of Frasier, which changed her life when it debuted in 1993.

Although regularly suffering from imposter syndrome, Jane was fortunate to work with James Burrows, one of the most sought-after comedy TV showrunners, who regularly had actors and writers working together, treating them all with respect. While Lisa Kudrow was originally hired to play Roz, she was quickly replaced by Peri Gilpin, and an amazing cast came together--Kelsey Grammer, David Hyde Pierce, John Mahoney. And, of course,Eddie, the quirky Jack Russell rerrier that won viewers' hearts despite--or because of--his naughty antics. The chapter describing how Moose (playing Eddie) got the part, thanks to his creative trainer and his amazing "acting" ability, is especially fun to read. Jane's description of a typical episode week--from the table read on Wednesday to show day the following Tuesday, is something I haven't seen in other show biz memoirs, and quite fascinating. Other topics she covers include her personal life and family, the evolving relationship of Daphne and Niles over the years, details about certain memorable episodes, awards shows, talk shows, the cast's love of interacting in their Green Room, and the shocking death of co-creator and writer David Angell and his wife on one of the crashing planes on 9/11.

This is a lovely memoir, revealing the personality of the down-to-earth author, taking me on a delightful trip down memory lane, and spurring me to look for streaming reruns that I can visit once again.

My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of this book.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memoirs have to be about someone who genuinely interests me or provide enough of a glimpse into a world that interests me. If not, I will typically give them a pass. I have not watched Frasier in many years, but I loved the show and watched it religiously with my parents every week until the very last episode. Reading this memoir felt like a bit of a walk down memory lane, and there were many moments when I clicked to YouTube to find a clip or rewatch part of an episode to trigger those memories and chuckles. Leeves does a very good job of writing about her life without really giving us a lot of deep insights into her life. As I got through this book, I realized that I got a lot of fun anecdotes and stories about the Frasier show and it's filming - and this was very much the meat I wanted - but without really lifting the cover on who Leeves is. There are glimpses into her marriage and her struggles especially when she was a dancer, but for a memoir, it was light on the me. And that's probably why the title is Daphne and Me, because most of the depth we get is into Daphne and her world. Or more accurately what it took Leeves to bring her into our world and our homes.

All in all, this was highly readable and the story moves quickly. There are moments like 9-11 that resonate and are more serious, but ultimately, it's a fun romp through the back rooms of a TV show and the ensemble cast and creators that made it sing in our hearts and live on in our memories. I will say that watching back some of the funny moments, they didn't seem quite as chuckle worthy; so the book does a much better job of capturing and triggering the nostalgia gene.

I will admit that I much prefer audiobooks read by the author over other formats, and I enjoy them most when I'm doing something else like painting or driving somewhere. So, while I could here Leeves voice in my head, I'm sure that an audiobook would have been the icing on the cake for me.

[Sarah Bickings · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

I discovered Frasier about 8 years after it's final air date, binged watched it with my husband when my daughter was a baby (she loved the closing theme song, by the way!) and since then it has become the perfect comfort show for when you just need a little joy. It's the show you can pick up on any episode, find yourself engrossed and laughing hysterically. So when I got the ARC for Daphne & Me, I was thrilled. And Jane Leeves does not disappoint, taking us through her beginning life, her early beginnings as a dancer, then her career as an actress to finally behind the scenes to one of the greatest comedy sitcoms ever. What I love about Frasier is that it exudes warmth- it's completely believable that the cast had this amazing bond and the principles are/were kind, wonderful humans. Jane Leeves takes us there with her warmth and humor, providing anecdotes and insights and helping us relive the magic that is Frasier. I absolutely loved this book. Well done!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #William Morrow for the ARC.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review the ARC of this book.

4 stars

As a massive Frasier fan, I was excited to get the approval to read this book! Jane does a fabulous job of recounting many, many stories about her time working on Frasier, along with her life before it. My reasons for rating this book 4 stars instead of 5 are that the stories felt a bit out of order, even though she was ostensibly writing in chronological order. It made sense to some degree, but something felt scattered. Also, there was so much name-dropping, both with famous, but also (and mostly) non-famous people. Entire paragraphs, pages, sections, about people that were behind the scenes at Frasier, and whose stories were not terribly interesting. I think she would be well-served by having someone outside the business do some editing.
But overall, it was an enjoyable read and I don’t feel regretful about “meeting” her, as I have with some other stars’ memoirs.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get a copy of "Daphne & Me " from NetGalley. I am a fan of the tv show " Frasier" so I was delighted to see Jane Leeves wrote a book about her experience on this wonderful show. This is a fun read to me. Jane writes about getting the role that would be her job for eleven seasons. She shares about her time on this show from the actors she worked with { all good experiences} The guest actors that appeared on the show. She writes of certain episodes some that were well known to her personal favorites. I especially was pleased she devoted one whole chapter to "Eddie" aka "Moose". this was a very enjoyable book to read, she shares many good memories of her 11 years on this well done show. How lucky was she to be a part of it all.!

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC. This book comes out on October 20, 2026. I have great memories of watching “Frasier” and after reading this I am going to go back and rewatch the series. This book was such a breath of fresh air. While it had plenty of happy and fun memories, it was also full of wonderful heartfelt and sometimes bittersweet memories that Jane Leeves shares with us.

I have read a few biographies lately that felt disjointed and left out becuase of the number of inside comments and jokes. However, this book was the exact opposite. I felt as if I was right there in the room reliving all of Jane’s wonderful memories.

I would recommend this to anyone who is a “Frasier” fan or looking for a great, uplifting read.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the show, “Frasier” – even after all these years, it’s my comfort show, one I can listen to as I’m going to sleep because I don’t need to see who’s talking to know what’s going on. This was a lovely memoir about Leeves’ time on the show, and I enjoyed all the behind-the-scenes glimpses into the people involved. The only reasons I didn’t give it 5 stars is it jumped around a bit and she talked too much about Daphne and Niles’ relationship (which, even though it was a huge part of the show, was unbelievable to me). She also talked at length about some people behind the scenes I’d never heard of and wasn’t particularly interested in. but overall, this was a terrific read. Many thanks to NetGalley, Ms. Leeves, and William Morrow for the ARC of this title

[booksbydorothea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend

I reviewed this book as a physical book even though it was a Kindle book. There was no option for a Kindle book available.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved this irreverent, funny, and bawdy language-filled book! It was just what I needed!!

The writing is hysterically funny with good character development and a good plotline.

If you like Frasier, Jane Leeves, or want to read a good celebrity memoir, then this is your book!

For a more detailed review, check out my blog - booksbydorothea: https://shorturl.at/2rJRU

[Wendi Manning · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fluff. Fun, a little informative, but fluff.

I love Jane Leeves, and Fraiser, but when someone says in the acknowledgments that they didn’t want to write a book, believe them. There’s so little of Jane Leeves in here that it’s glaringly obvious that she just didn’t want to talk about herself.

There’s no gossip or dirt in here, which is refreshing. There are few hard parts, such as 9/11 and the last episode. Other than that it’s a collection of good and happy memories.

I enjoyed it for the quick read that it was. If you’re more interested in the show than the woman, this is your book!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Annaka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane Leeves is absolutely charming as she tells the story of her life, acting career, and time on shows (mainly Frasier). I loved Frasier as a kid and it still makes me laugh on rewatches. It was good fun to get to see some of the behind the scenes details and see the love Jane has for the cast and crew that brought the show to life. I was slightly bummed that we don't get much of a peek into her life after Frasier but can understand the choice to end the book with the show's ending and only give glimpses of post Frasier life throughout the book.

Perfect for anyone that loved the show or just has an interest in the television/acting industry.

[Amanda Favor · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a long time fan of Frasier, I very much enjoyed this unique insight into the heart of the show from none other than Jane Leeves (Daphne Moon) herself.

I loved the in depth look into Ms. Leeves’ childhood, her motivations, fears, loves, and everything in between as she grew from an aspiring ballerina to the beloved tv housekeeper/therapist we love from Frasier and beyond.

For fans of behind the scenes books and seeing beyond the character into the heart of the actor, Daphne & Me is a win.

I read this as an ARC from NetGalley but my review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.

[Deanna Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Jane Leeves, Isabella Kathryn Coben, William Morrow, and Netgalley for the ARC. My review is voluntary, and any opinions are my own.

I have always enjoyed Jane Leeves' performances on Frasier. I really enjoyed the humor in this book as well. I was surprised she didn't delve into her other acting performances. She barely mentioned her role on Hot in Cleveland. I would have loved to hear about her interactions with her co-stars there. Overall, the in-depth story of her interactions with the cast of Frasier was wonderful and was a great family!

[Ro U]

I am so glad that I got this ARC - I grew up in my teens watching Frasier with my parents and we laughed so much. Jane Leeves (DAPHNE!) writes with her daughter Isabella, and it feels like sitting down with someone who has stories to tell and is happy to tell them. The cramped green room, the cast turning into a real family, a friend holding her hand in the hospital when she had her baby. It’s sweet more than scandalous (yay and also boo) - you KNOW the Kelsey Grammar tea would be so good), but it's still fun.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any fan of Frasier will adore this behind the scenes look through Jane Leeves's eyes. It reads as if you are having a friendly chat with the author who played Daphne on the hit series. I loved hearing about each actor and how they truly were like a family on the set and still are all in touch today. So nice to read about Hollywood personalities who aren't feuding! Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the DRC!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC of this title.

As a Frasier fan (who just finished a recent rewatch), I was thrilled to be able to read this short memoir by Jane Leeves who played Daphne. It's everything you'd expect it to be. Lots of fun memories, favorite episodes, a timely 9/11 remembrance, and a lot of love for the cast and crew. Recommended for fans of Frasier, Hot in Cleveland, or anything Jane has been a part of.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

Frasier is my absolute favorite show and what a treat this book was! Jane Leeves has such a fun conversational style to this book that it feels like your friend gabbing to you and it was delightful. I especially enjoyed the chapter about Moose 🐶

[Jessie Hass · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful love letter to the show, Frasier! As a huge fan of the show and Jane Leeves I was excited to read an ARC from NetGalley. Overall the book was sweet; don’t expect to read any juicy gossip or snarky remarks. It will just fill you with warm fuzzies especially the chapter on Moose/Eddie. A must read for any fans of Cheers/Frasier.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Frasier and still watch the reruns. I was excited to be able to read this early copy. I loved Daphne and Niles together.
This was an interesting look into the making of the series from beginning to end. It was full of emotion and a few surprises. Definitely recommend for anyone who’s a fan of the show.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 no notes I absolutely loved this biography. Frasier is one of my favourite shows and I absolutely loved hearing the stories of Jane Leeves. Her stories were warm, emotional and had me laughing. The chemistry of the cast translated on screen and it was great to hear that the chemistry existed off screen as well. Thank you Jane for sharing these lovely stories with fans!

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frasier is a show my husband and I watch once a year and put on for background. I was beyond excited to receive an ARC. This honestly feels like sitting with an old friend and going down memory lane. It was interesting to find out she went to school for ballet.

Thank you William Morrow, and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Katelyn Putnam · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

A quick read I’ve been waiting to read for many months! I appreciated the forward and unfolding of how this book came about.

This was exactly what I thought it would be, a sweet walk down memory lane from the inside of one of my all time favorite shows, Frasier. It was witty, sporadic in a comedic way, told in a sweet storytelling narrative, and deeply nostalgic. A bravo for a debut book!

[Sarah Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely way to pass a sick day. JL mentions several times that she doesn't like talking about herself, but the parts of the book where she did talk about herself were by far the most interesting, so I wish she'd leaned into that more instead of devoting so much space to other people.

[Patricia Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved watching Frasier growing up and still watch it today. The holiday episodes and any episode with Lilith being my favorite. I was so excited when I saw that Jane Leeves was releasing a book. I literally gasped "NO WAY!" in excitement. The last chapter had tears running down my face.

[Erin Nudi · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Adore her, adore Frasier.

[Lea Columbus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Net Galley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. This was a fun read. Jane Leeves writes wittily and movingly about her time on Frasier. She gives insights into the making if a television show, her co stars and her personal life. She is funny. sad, truthful and heartbreaking at times. Thanks again for this book.

[bluerose · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who regularly puts on reruns of on Frasier as a comfort watch and has always wondered exactly how much input actresses have about the way their real-life pregnancies are incorporated into their character's storyline, I was very interested to read this memoir. Jane Leeves paints a vivid picture of life on and off set, sharing behind the scenes stories and memories that any fan of the show is sure to love. We also get a glimpse of her life and career before Frasier. I enjoyed this and also look forward to purchasing the audiobook.

My thanks to NetGalley for the free copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.