Martin is the wise and down-to-earth father of Frasier and Niles.

Martin (a former officer of the Seattle police-force) moved in with Frasier in the first episode due to the guilt Frasier and Niles felt leaving him in a home.

Martin is currently single, his wife (Frasier and Niles' mother) having died many years ago.

One of the highlights of the set of "Frasier" is Martins beloved Barker lounger which Frasier despises.

You can guarantee that either Frasier or Niles will rely on a piece of advice from their father almost every episode.

Martin often finds his two sons a bit too upper-class and haughty for his liking, but he loves them, nonetheless.

Martin was forced to retire early from the police-force when he was shot in the hip chasing a bank-robber. Since then he has used a cane and requires the help of a home-help, Daphne.