You know Dan Butler as Frasier's radio shock jock, Bulldog. On screen, he's the antithesis of Kelsey Grammer's genteel doc, a loudmouthed lug who loves the ladies — especially Roz (Peri Gilpin). Off screen, the openly gay actor just loves life. For two years, he has spent four hours a week volunteering as a phone counselor at L.A.'s Suicide Prevention Center. He's also helped out on The Trevor Helpline, a national crisis number for gay youth. "There's a lot of depression and suicide on my mother's side of the family," he tells TV Guide Online, "so being of service is a good way to process it.

"Some calls are rough," Butler admits. "You're not going to be able to heal the person, but if you give them one other option for the night [besides suicide]... that's a big success. You never know. You just have to have faith that you're doing your best. It's nice being a nonjudgmental voice."

On Sept. 18 in L.A., Butler will grand marshall "Alive and Running," a 5K/10K run to benefit the Suicide Prevention Center. Such volunteerism is on the rise since last year's terrorist attacks — people who feel helpless are empowering themselves by doing good. On today's solemn anniversary, Butler fondly recalls Frasier's late co-creator David Angell and wife Lynn, who died in the WTC plane crashes. "David and Lynn were amazing human beings," he says. "It's no accident that their last name is Angell. He was a talented, funny writer and they were so generous. In fact, last year I did both the AIDS Ride and the AIDS marathon in Honolulu, and they were major financial backers to me. They're sorely missed."