Shelly Long left the most successful sitcom ever and never did anything of real significance after (but at least she kept working). That decision had to sting, but I guess she can take comfort that she was set for life as long as she didn’t get into drugs or spend her money like the average lottery winner.
I think Shelley Long had a pretty respectable career for someone who was primarily a TV actress. You have to remember that actresses tend to have a shorter shelf life than actors. She also did reprisals of her Diane character on “Frazier”.
Now Kelsey Grammer—there is a guy who knew how to leverage a supporting role! I read somewhere his net worth is $80M.
Everything I’ve ever heard or read suggests that Long’s castmates on Cheers couldn’t stand her (very snotty attitude) and were happy to see her go. (In comparison, they absolutely loved Kirstie Alley.)