Ted Danson | |
|---|---|
_(cropped_2).jpg) Danson in 2018 | |
| Born | Edward Bridge Danson III (1947-12-29)December 29, 1947 (age 77) San Diego,California, U.S. |
| Education | Stanford University Carnegie Mellon University (BFA) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1975–present |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Charlie McDowell (stepson) Lily Collins (step-daughter-in-law) |
Edward BridgeDanson III (born December 29, 1947)[1] is an American actor. He achieved stardom playing the lead characterSam Malone on theNBCsitcomCheers (1982–1993), for which he received twoPrimetime Emmy Awards and twoGolden Globe Awards. He was further Emmy-nominated for theFX legal dramaDamages (2007–2010) and the NBC comedyThe Good Place (2016–2020). He was the recipient of the 2025Carol Burnett Award. Ted along with his wife Mary Steenburgen was awarded with theBob Hope Humanitarian Award in2025 at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards.
Danson made his film debut in 1978 in the crime dramaThe Onion Field. His breakout film role was in the comediesThree Men and a Baby (1987) andThree Men and a Little Lady (1990). He also acted inBody Heat (1981),Creepshow (1982),Dad (1989) andSaving Private Ryan (1998).
Danson's other leading roles on television include theCBS sitcomBecker (1998–2004) and theCBS dramasCSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2011–2015) andCSI: Cyber (2015–2016).[2][3] In 2015, he starred in thesecond season ofFX's anthology seriesFargo. He has played roles in theHBO comediesBored to Death (2009–2011) andCurb Your Enthusiasm (2000–2024), theNBC sitcomMr. Mayor (2021–2022), and theNetflix comedyA Man on the Inside (2024–present).
Danson has been married to actressMary Steenburgen since 1995. He is also known for his longtime activism inocean conservation and wroteOceana: Our Endangered Oceans and What We Can Do to Save Them (2011) with journalistMichael D'Orso.
On December 29, 1947, Danson was born in San Diego toEdward Bridge "Ned" Danson Jr.,[4][5] an archaeologist and curator of theMuseum of Northern Arizona from 1959 to 1975, and Jessica Harriet (née MacMaster).[6][7] He has an older sister, Jessica Ann "Jan" Haury.[7] Danson was primarily raised inFlagstaff, Arizona.[8] He has Scottish and English heritage. Their ancestors lived in colonial New England and are descended from historical figures such asAnne Hutchinson.[9][10]
In 1961, at age 14, Danson enrolled at theKent School, a university-preparatory school in Connecticut; he was a star player on the basketball team. He became interested in drama while later attendingStanford University. In search of a better acting program, he transferred toCarnegie Mellon University inPittsburgh,Pennsylvania. He graduated with aB.F.A. in Drama in 1972.[11]
Danson began his television career as a contract player on the daytime soap operaSomerset.[12] He played the role of Tom Conway from 1975 to 1976. In 1977, he played Dr. Mitchell Pierson on the daytime soap operaThe Doctors, having also appeared earlier in 1975 as another character, Dr. Chuck Weldon.[13] He was also in a number of commercials, most notably as the "Aramis man".[14] His guest appearances on television in the late 1970s and early 1980s include being onLaverne & Shirley,B. J. and the Bear,Family,Benson,Taxi,Magnum, P.I.,The Amazing Spider-Man,Tucker's Witch, andMrs. Columbo. He also appeared in the filmsThe Onion Field (1978, his first film, as the bagpipe-playing Officer Ian Campbell),Body Heat (1981) andCreepshow (1982).
In 1982, Danson was cast in the role ofSam Malone, a former local-legend baseball player and bartender, for theNBC sitcomCheers. On the show, he has anon-again-off-again relationship with the college-educated, sophisticatedDiane Chambers. Although the show finished last in ratings in its first season, it was well received by critics. Ratings gradually improved by 1983, and by 1986,Cheers was among the top ten most-viewed shows on television. The series ran for 11 seasons (1982–1993), with theseries finale (May 20, 1993) being watched by 80 million people, thesecond-most watched series finale in television history (in 1993).Cheers won fourEmmy Awards forOutstanding Comedy Series, plus aGolden Globe forBest Series–Musical or Comedy. During his time on the show, Danson won two of his 11 consecutive Emmy nominations for the role of Sam Malone, and won two of his nine Golden Globe nominations. In 2002,TV Guide magazine namedCheers the 18th "Greatest Show of All Time". It was included inTime's "100 Greatest Shows of All Time".[15] On December 15, 1988, Danson got into a minor car accident in which he got a bloody nose; he was in some pain, but his nose wasn't broken. The bloody nose was written into theCheers episode "How to Win Friends and Electrocute People". Danson reprised the role of Sam Malone ina second-season episode ofFrasier, and did the voiceover for his character in an episode ofThe Simpsons, "Fear of Flying".
Danson also appeared in numerous films during his time on the series. His most notable film appearances includedThree Men and a Baby (1987) withTom Selleck andSteve Guttenberg, its sequelThree Men and a Little Lady (1990), andCousins (1989) withIsabella Rossellini. He also appeared inCreepshow (1982),Little Treasure (1985),Just Between Friends (1986) withMary Tyler Moore,A Fine Mess (1986), andDad (1989). Although he was best known for his work in comedy, he also appeared in a television drama,Something About Amelia (1984), about a family devastated by the repercussions ofincest, which co-starred his later co-star onDamages,Glenn Close. He won a Golden Globe Award forBest Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie and was nominated for an Emmy Award.
AfterCheers ended, Danson appeared in films such asMade in America (1993),Getting Even with Dad (1994),Loch Ness (1996),Saving Private Ryan (1998),Mad Money (2008), andBig Miracle (2012). In 1996, three years afterCheers concluded, Danson starred in the short-livedCBS sitcomInk with his real-life wifeMary Steenburgen. In the same year, they starred asLemuel Gulliver and his wife in an acclaimed television miniseries ofGulliver's Travels. Danson went on to play the title role in the successful CBS sitcomBecker (produced byParamount Television which also producedCheers), which ran from 1998 to 2004. Danson also played a fictionalized version of himself onCurb Your Enthusiasm from 2000 to 2024. In 1999, Danson was presented with a star onHollywood's Walk of Fame.
Danson returned to series television in 2006, playing a psychiatrist in theABC sitcomHelp Me Help You, which was canceled at midseason due to lowratings. Also in 2006, Danson received a nomination for aScreen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries for his role inKnights of the South Bronx. In 2007, Danson starred in the FX Network dramaDamages as a corrupt billionaire, Arthur Frobisher. The role earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, but he lost to co-starŽeljko Ivanek. During the second season Danson became a recurring character instead of one of the principal cast. He received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series but lost toMichael J. Fox for Fox's guest appearance inRescue Me. In 2011, Danson appeared in the music video for "Make Some Noise" by theBeastie Boys. He is also mentioned in the song's lyrics.
From 2009 to 2011, Danson starred in the HBO sitcomBored to Death as George Christopher, the laconic and sometime downright infantile editor ofEdition magazine. Critics often praised Danson as being the highlight of the program, calling his character a "scene stealer."[16][17] From 2011 to 2015, Danson starred in the CBS police dramaCSI: Crime Scene Investigation. He playedD.B. Russell, a new graveyard-shift supervisor who previously headed a crime lab inSeattle.Tony Shalhoub,Robin Williams, andJohn Lithgow were also considered for the role.[2][3][18] He reprised his role in the thirdCSI spin-off,CSI: Cyber, which was canceled after two seasons.
In 2015, Danson appeared in the second season of the TV showFargo, portraying Sheriff Hank Larsson.[19] From 2016 to 2020 Danson appeared oppositeKristen Bell as the character Michael in the NBC sitcomThe Good Place. He was nominated for and won numerous awards for his performance as Michael. Danson had the main role on the NBC sitcomMr. Mayor (2021–2022), in which he plays a wealthy businessman who runs for mayor of Los Angeles for all the wrong reasons. Episode 109 of theBeef and Dairy Network Podcast, entitled "Ted Danson", features Danson playing an alternate version of himself (referred to as "The Actor Ted Danson") seeking to collect on a debt of 460 million tons of grain.
In 2024, he starred as the leading role of Charles in theNetflix comedy series,A Man on the Inside, based on the 2020Academy Award-nominee documentaryThe Mole Agent.[20] He was nominated for aGolden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy and aScreen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series for the first season.[21] As of 2024, Danson has appeared as a regular in twelve television shows, reportedly the most any actor has done historically.[22] In 2024, he became the official spokesperson forConsumer Cellular, a telephone company. Also in 2024, Danson andWoody Harrelson started aTeam Coco podcast calledWhere Everybody Knows Your Name where they interview celebrities about their lives and careers.[23]
Danson and his first wife, actress Randall "Randy" Gosch (known as Randy Danson), were married in 1970 and divorced in 1975.[24]
Danson's second wife was producer Cassandra "Casey" Coates, whom he married in 1977. On December 24, 1979, while giving birth to their first daughter, Kate, Coates suffered a stroke. Danson spent several years caring for her and helping her recuperate. They later adopted a second daughter, Alexis.[25] His affair with actressWhoopi Goldberg contributed to their divorce in 1993.[26] At the time, it was known as one of Hollywood's costliest divorces and reportedly cost Danson $30 million.[27]
While a guest onThe Arsenio Hall Show in late 1988, he met actressWhoopi Goldberg; he described her as "a sexy, funny woman".[28] They became friends and were inHelp Save Planet Earth in 1990 which is about saving the environment (Danson played himself, Goldberg portrayedMother Earth).[29] While makingMade in America in April 1992, the two became romantically involved, a pairing that was heavily featured in gossip tabloids such as theNational Enquirer. The couple also appeared on theRock the VoteTV special in the same year;[30] they were set to star in aParamount-produced version ofNeal Barrett Jr.'sPink Vodka Blues,[31] written byMarshall Brickman.[32][33]
Danson received negative press attention October 8, 1993, after his appearance wearingblackface at aFriars Clubcomedy roast in honor of Goldberg, and for using many racist slurs. Later, Goldberg defended the sketch, explaining that she had helped write much of the material and referred Danson to the makeup artist who painted his face as a societal critique.[34]
On October 7, 1995, Danson married actressMary Steenburgen, whom he met on the set ofPontiac Moon in 1993, and became the stepfather to Steenburgen's children, Lilly andCharlie, from her previous marriage to actorMalcolm McDowell.[35]
Danson has been on a plant-based diet multiple times,[36][37] but as of 2016, he is on apescetarian diet.[38]
Danson isEpiscopalian.[39]
Danson's interest in environmental concerns began when he was 12 years old. Bill Breed, thencurator of geology at theMuseum of Northern Arizona, introduced Danson and their friend Marc Gaede to a "game" he referred to as "billboarding". Armed with axes and saws, Breed, Gaede, and Danson destroyed over 500 outdoor advertising signs.[40][41]
Danson's interest inenvironmentalism continued over the years, and he began to be concerned with the state of the world's oceans. He was a contributing founder of the American Oceans Campaigns in the 1980s; it merged withOceana in 2001 and he is a board member.[42] His commitment to the environment led him to host theA&E television series "Challenge of the Seas" in 1991, filming 26 one-hour episodes.[43]
In March 2011, Danson published his first book,Oceana: Our Endangered Oceans and What We Can Do To Save Them which was written with journalist Michael D'Orso.[44][45] On October 25, 2019, Danson was arrested and charged along with actressJane Fonda at a climate-change protest outside theUnited States Capitol inWashington, D.C.[46]
Danson is a friend of former PresidentBill Clinton, who attended Danson and Steenburgen's wedding. Danson has donated over $177,000 as of June 2024 toDemocratic candidates andPACs, includingKamala Harris,Joe Biden,Barack Obama,Al Gore,John Edwards,Barbara Boxer,Bill Clinton,Al Franken,John Kerry, and theJane Fonda Climate PAC.[47] He has also donated to theDemocratic Party of Arkansas and theDemocratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Danson and Steenburgen campaigned for SenatorHillary Clinton during her2008 presidential campaign.[48] He and Steenburgen attended the wedding of Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton's daughterChelsea on July 31, 2010.[49] He appeared with Steenburgen at the2016 Democratic National Convention. On October 3, 2016, he attended the opening of Hillary Clinton's new campaign office inLancaster, Pennsylvania at the old Queen Pharmacy on King Street.[50][51][52]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | The Onion Field | Det.Ian James Campbell | |
| 1980 | Once Upon a Spy | Jack Chenault | |
| 1981 | Body Heat | Peter Lowenstein | |
| 1982 | Creepshow | Harry Wentworth | |
| 1985 | Little Treasure | Eugene Wilson | |
| 1986 | Just Between Friends | Chip Davis | |
| How Can I Tell If I'm Really in Love | Himself | ||
| A Fine Mess | Spence Holden | ||
| 1987 | Three Men and a Baby | Jack Holden | |
| 1988 | She's Having a Baby | Himself | Uncredited cameo |
| 1989 | Cousins | Larry Kozinski | |
| Dad | John Tremont | ||
| 1990 | Three Men and a Little Lady | Jack Holden | |
| 1993 | Made in America | Hal Jackson | |
| 1994 | Getting Even with Dad | Raymond Gleason | |
| Pontiac Moon | Washington Bellamy | ||
| 1996 | Loch Ness | John Dempsey | |
| 1998 | Jerry and Tom | Guy | |
| Homegrown | Gianni Saletzzo | ||
| Saving Private Ryan | Capt. Fred Hamill | ||
| 1999 | Mumford | Jeremy Brockett | |
| 2004 | Fronterz | — | |
| 2007 | Nobel Son | Harvey Parrish | |
| The Amateurs | Moose | ||
| 2008 | Mad Money | Don Cardigan | |
| The Human Contract | E.J. Winters | ||
| 2009 | The Open Road | Coach | |
| 2011 | Jock the Hero Dog | Pezulu | Voice only |
| 2012 | Big Miracle | J.W. McGrath | |
| Ted | Himself | Uncredited | |
| 2014 | The One I Love | Therapist | |
| 2018 | Hearts Beat Loud | Dave | |
| 2020 | Best Summer Ever | — | Executive producer |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975–1976 | Somerset | Tom Conway #2 | Unknown episodes |
| 1975, 1977 | The Doctors | Dr. Chuck Weldon (1975) / Mitch Pierson (1977) | 19 episodes |
| 1979 | The Amazing Spider-Man | Major Collings | 2 episodes |
| Mrs. Columbo | Richard Dellinger | Episode: "Ladies of the Afternoon" | |
| Trapper John, M.D. | Injured Man | Episode: "Love Is a Three-Way Street" | |
| B. J. and the Bear | Tom Spencer | Episode: "Silent Night, Unholy Night" | |
| The French Atlantic Affair | Abe Stanley, Assistant to Dr. Clemens | Miniseries; Episode #1.3 | |
| 1980 | The Women's Room | Norman | Television film |
| Once Upon a Spy | Jack Chenault | ||
| Laverne & Shirley | Randy Carpenter | Episode: "Why Did the Fireman..." | |
| Family | David Bartels | Episode: "Daylight Serenade" | |
| 1981 | Benson | Dan Slater | 2 episodes |
| Magnum, P.I. | Stewart Crane | Episode: "Don't Say Goodbye" | |
| Dear Teacher | Steve Goodwin | Television film | |
| Our Family Business | Gep | ||
| 1982 | Taxi | Vincenzo Senaca | Episode: "The Unkindest Cut" |
| Tucker's Witch | Danny Kirkwood | 2 episodes | |
| 1982–1993 | Cheers | Sam Malone | Main role, 275 episodes |
| 1983 | Allison Sydney Harrison | David Harrison | Television film |
| Cowboy | Dale Weeks | ||
| 1984 | Something About Amelia | Steven Bennett | |
| 1986 | When the Bough Breaks | Alex Delaware | |
| 1987 | We Are the Children | — | |
| 1988 | Mickey's 60th Birthday | Sam Malone | Television special |
| 1989 | Saturday Night Live | Himself (host) | Episode: "Ted Danson/Luther Vandross" |
| The Jim Henson Hour | Himself | Episode: "Aquatic Life" | |
| 1990 | The Earth Day Special | Sam Malone | Television special |
| 1994 | The Simpsons | Sam Malone (voice) | Episode: "Fear of Flying" |
| 1995 | Frasier | Sam Malone | Episode: "The Show Where Sam Shows Up" |
| 1996–1997 | Ink | Mike Logan | Main role, 22 episodes |
| 1996 | Gulliver's Travels | Lemuel Gulliver | 2 episodes |
| 1997 | Pearl | Sal | Episode: "The Write Stuff: Part 2" |
| 1998–2004 | Becker | Dr. John Becker | Main role, 129 episodes |
| 1998 | Thanks of a Grateful Nation | Jim Tuite | Television film |
| Veronica's Closet | Nick Vanover | Episode: "Veronica's $600,000 Pop" | |
| 1999 | Diagnosis: Murder | Himself | Episode: "The Roast" |
| 2000–2024 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Himself | Recurring role, 34 episodes |
| 2000 | Search for Atlantis | Himself | Television film |
| Grosse Pointe | Jack the Dog (voice) | Episode: "Sleeping with the Enemy" | |
| 2002 | Living with the Dead | James Van Praagh | Television film |
| 2003 | Gary the Rat | Terry McMillian (voice) | Episode: "Mergers and Acquisions" |
| 2004 | It Must Be Love | George Gazelle | Television film |
| 2005 | Our Fathers | Mitchell Garabedian | |
| Knights of the South Bronx | Richard | ||
| 2006 | Heist | Tom | 2 episodes |
| 2006–2007 | Help Me Help You | Dr. Bill Hoffman | Main role, 14 episodes |
| 2007–2010 | Damages | Arthur Frobisher | Main role, 23 episodes |
| 2008 | King of the Hill | Tom Hammond (voice) | Episode: "The Accidental Terrorist" |
| 2009–2011 | Bored to Death | George Christopher | Main role, 24 episodes |
| 2010 | Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! | Little Danson Man | Episode: "Greene Machine" |
| 2011–2015 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | DirectorD.B. Russell | Main role, 84 episodes |
| 2013 | CSI: NY | Episode: "Seth and Apep" | |
| 2015–2016 | CSI: Cyber | Main role, 18 episodes | |
| 2015 | Fargo | Sheriff Hank Larsson | Main role, 10 episodes |
| 2015–2024 | American Dad! | Dr. Ray Petit (voice) | 5 episodes |
| 2016–2020 | The Good Place | Michael | Main role, 52 episodes |
| 2017 | Finding Your Roots | Himself | Episode: "Puritans and Pioneers" |
| 2018–present | Advancements | Himself | 79 episodes |
| 2019–2022 | The Orville | Admiral Perry | Recurring role (season 2–3); 6 episodes |
| 2021–2022 | Mr. Mayor | Mayor Neil Bremer | Main role, 20 episodes |
| 2023 | Mulligan | Brad Chadman (voice) | Episode: "Not My President" |
| 2024–present | A Man on the Inside | Charles Nieuwendyk | Main role, 16 episodes |
| Year | Title | Role | Venue | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Status Quo Vadis | Paul Regents III | Brooks Atkinson Theatre, Broadway | [53] |
I grew up in Flagstaff, Ariz...
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