Topzle Topzle

Ted Danson

Updated: Wikipedia source

Ted Danson

Edward Bridge Danson III (born December 29, 1947) is an American actor. He achieved stardom playing the lead character Sam Malone on the NBC sitcom Cheers (1982–1993), for which he received two Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards. He was further Emmy-nominated for the FX legal drama Damages (2007–2010) and the NBC comedy The Good Place (2016–2020). He was the recipient of the 2025 Carol Burnett Award. Danson made his film debut in 1978 in the crime drama The Onion Field. His breakout film role was in the comedies Three Men and a Baby (1987) and Three Men and a Little Lady (1990). He also acted in Body Heat (1981), Creepshow (1982), Dad (1989) and Saving Private Ryan (1998). Danson's other leading roles on television include the CBS sitcom Becker (1998–2004) and The Good Place (2016–2020) and the CBS dramas CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2011–2015) and CSI: Cyber (2015–2016). In 2015, he starred in the second season of FX's anthology series Fargo. He has played roles in the HBO comedies Bored to Death (2009–2011) and Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000–2024), the NBC sitcom Mr. Mayor (2021–2022), and the Netflix comedy A Man on the Inside (2024–present). Danson has been married to actress Mary Steenburgen since 1995. They were awarded the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award in 2025 at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards. Danson is also known for his longtime activism in ocean conservation and wrote Oceana: Our Endangered Oceans and What We Can Do to Save Them (2011) with journalist Michael D'Orso.

Infobox

Born
Edward Bridge Danson III (1947-12-29) December 29, 1947 (age 78)San Diego, California, U.S.
Education
Stanford UniversityCarnegie Mellon University (BFA)
Occupation
Actor
Years active
1975–present
Political party
Democratic
Spouses
mw- Randall Gosch (m. 1970; div. 1975) Cassandra Coates (m. 1977; div. 1993) Mary Steenburgen (m. 1995)
Children
2
Relatives
Charlie McDowell (stepson)Lily Collins (step-daughter-in-law)

Tables

· Filmography › Film
1979
Role(s)
Det. Ian James Campbell
1980
Once Upon a Spy
Role(s)
Jack Chenault
1981
Role(s)
Peter Lowenstein
1982
Role(s)
Harry Wentworth
1985
Role(s)
Eugene Wilson
1986
Role(s)
Chip Davis
How Can I Tell If I'm Really in Love
Role(s)
Himself
Role(s)
Spence Holden
1987
Role(s)
Jack Holden
1988
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Uncredited cameo
1989
Role(s)
Larry Kozinski
Dad
Role(s)
John Tremont
1990
Role(s)
Jack Holden
1993
Role(s)
Hal Jackson
1994
Role(s)
Raymond Gleason
Role(s)
Washington Bellamy
1996
Role(s)
John Dempsey
1998
Role(s)
Guy
Role(s)
Gianni Saletzzo
Role(s)
Capt. Fred Hamill
1999
Role(s)
Jeremy Brockett
2004
Fronterz
Role(s)
—.mw- N/a
2007
Role(s)
Harvey Parrish
Role(s)
Moose
2008
Role(s)
Don Cardigan
Role(s)
E.J. Winters
2009
Role(s)
Coach
2011
Role(s)
Pezulu
Notes
Voice only
2012
Role(s)
J.W. McGrath
Ted
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Uncredited
2014
Role(s)
Therapist
2018
Role(s)
Dave
2020
Role(s)
—N/a
Notes
Executive producer
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
—.mw- N/a
2007
Nobel Son
Harvey Parrish
The Amateurs
Moose
2008
Mad Money
Don Cardigan
The Human Contract
Winters
2009
The Open Road
Coach
2011
Jock the Hero Dog
Pezulu
Voice only
2012
Big Miracle
McGrath
Ted
Himself
Uncredited
2014
The One I Love
Therapist
2018
Hearts Beat Loud
Dave
2020
Best Summer Ever
—N/a
Executive producer
· Filmography › Television
1979
Role(s)
Major Collings
Notes
2 episodes
Role(s)
Richard Dellinger
Notes
Episode: "Ladies of the Afternoon"
Role(s)
Injured Man
Notes
Episode: "Love Is a Three-Way Street"
Role(s)
Tom Spencer
Notes
Episode: "Silent Night, Unholy Night"
Role(s)
Abe Stanley, Assistant to Dr. Clemens
Notes
Miniseries; Episode #1.3
1980
Role(s)
Norman
Notes
Television film
Once Upon a Spy
Role(s)
Jack Chenault
Role(s)
Randy Carpenter
Notes
Episode: "Why Did the Fireman..."
Role(s)
David Bartels
Notes
Episode: "Daylight Serenade"
1981
Role(s)
Dan Slater
Notes
2 episodes
Role(s)
Stewart Crane
Notes
Episode: "Don't Say Goodbye"
Dear Teacher
Role(s)
Steve Goodwin
Notes
Television film
Our Family Business
Role(s)
Gep
1982
Role(s)
Vincenzo Senaca
Notes
Episode: "The Unkindest Cut"
Role(s)
Danny Kirkwood
Notes
2 episodes
1982–1993
Role(s)
Cheers
Notes
Sam Malone
1983
Allison Sydney Harrison
Role(s)
David Harrison
Notes
Television film
Cowboy
Role(s)
Dale Weeks
1984
Role(s)
Steven Bennett
1986
Role(s)
Alex Delaware
1987
We Are the Children
Role(s)
—N/a
1988
Role(s)
Sam Malone
Notes
Television special
1989
Role(s)
Himself (host)
Notes
Episode: "Ted Danson/Luther Vandross"
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Episode: "Aquatic Life"
1990
Role(s)
Sam Malone
Notes
Television special
1994
Role(s)
Sam Malone (voice)
Notes
Episode: "Fear of Flying"
1995
Role(s)
Sam Malone
Notes
Episode: "The Show Where Sam Shows Up"
1996–1997
Role(s)
Ink
Notes
Mike Logan
1996
Role(s)
Lemuel Gulliver
Notes
2 episodes
1997
Role(s)
Sal
Notes
Episode: "The Write Stuff: Part 2"
1998–2004
Role(s)
Becker
Notes
Dr. John Becker
1998
Role(s)
Jim Tuite
Notes
Television film
Role(s)
Nick Vanover
Notes
Episode: "Veronica's $600,000 Pop"
1999
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Episode: "The Roast"
2000–2024
Role(s)
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Notes
Himself
2000
Search for Atlantis
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Television film
Role(s)
Jack the Dog (voice)
Notes
Episode: "Sleeping with the Enemy"
2002
Role(s)
James Van Praagh
Notes
Television film
2003
Role(s)
Terry McMillian (voice)
Notes
Episode: "Mergers and Acquisions"
2004
Role(s)
George Gazelle
Notes
Television film
2005
Role(s)
Mitchell Garabedian
Role(s)
Richard
2006
Role(s)
Tom
Notes
2 episodes
2006–2007
Role(s)
Help Me Help You
Notes
Dr. Bill Hoffman
2007–2010
Role(s)
Damages
Notes
Arthur Frobisher
2008
Role(s)
Tom Hammond (voice)
Notes
Episode: "The Accidental Terrorist"
2009–2011
Role(s)
Bored to Death
Notes
George Christopher
2010
Role(s)
Little Danson Man
Notes
Episode: "Greene Machine"
2011–2015
Role(s)
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Notes
Director D.B. Russell
2013
Role(s)
Episode: "Seth and Apep"
2015–2016
Role(s)
CSI: Cyber
Notes
Main role, 18 episodes
2015
Role(s)
Sheriff Hank Larsson
Notes
Main role, 10 episodes
2015–2024
Role(s)
American Dad!
Notes
Dr. Ray Petit (voice)
2016–2020
Role(s)
The Good Place
Notes
Michael
2017
Role(s)
Himself
Notes
Episode: "Puritans and Pioneers"
2018–present
Role(s)
Advancements
Notes
Himself
2019–2022
Role(s)
The Orville
Notes
Admiral Perry
2021–2022
Role(s)
Mr. Mayor
Notes
Mayor Neil Bremer
2023
Role(s)
Brad Chadman (voice)
Notes
Episode: "Not My President"
2024–present
Role(s)
A Man on the Inside
Notes
Charles Nieuwendyk
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1975–1976
Somerset
Tom Conway
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
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
—N/a
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
· Filmography › Theatre
1973
Status Quo Vadis
Role(s)
Paul Regents III
Notes
Brooks Atkinson Theatre, Broadway
Year
Title
Role
Venue
Ref.
1973
Status Quo Vadis
Paul Regents III
Brooks Atkinson Theatre, Broadway

References

  1. The Arizona Republic
    https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/people/2024/12/03/ted-danson-golden-globes-2025-carol-burnett-award/76712031007/
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110714085133/http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/07/12/csi-ted-danson/
  3. The Express-Times
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110809231450/http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/tv/index.ssf/2011/07/ted_danson_to_join_the_cast_of.html
  4. Times of San Diego
    https://timesofsandiego.com/opinion/2024/12/10/ted-danson-helps-us-laugh-while-rejecting-ageism-in-a-man-on-the-inside/
  5. Newsweek
    https://www.newsweek.com/ted-danson-faked-stanford-university-smartless-podcast-1951864
  6. Arizona Daily Sun
    https://azdailysun.com/jessica-danson/article_6f70e4f8-d71f-5897-8b72-1da403b839ce.html
  7. Obituaries: Edward Bridge Danson (1916–2000) by Raymond H. Thompson in American Anthropologist, Vol. 103, Issue 4, Dec 2
  8. Newsweek
    https://www.newsweek.com/ted-danson-my-favorite-mistake-66035?amp=1
  9. He has publicly renounced and apologized for their actions on a number of occasions. Danson stated in an interview with
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJiLZrOPsOc
  10. Finding Your Roots
    https://www.pbs.org/show/finding-your-roots/
  11. Carnegie Mellon News
    https://www.drama.cmu.edu/2020/02/15/ted-danson-returns/
  12. "Ted Danson Appeared on Somerset in '70S"
    https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1999-09-11-9909100800-story.html
  13. Soap Opera Network
    https://www.soapoperanetwork.com/topic/ted-danson
  14. sic
    https://archive.org/details/AramisCommericalCompilationFeaturingTedDanson
  15. "All-time 100 TV shows"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20071013000728/https://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1651341_1659188_1652056,00.html
  16. Time
    https://entertainment.time.com/2009/09/18/tv-weekend-private-eye-rony-also-curbs-return/
  17. The New Yorker
    https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2009/09/28/brooklyn-dodger
  18. Variety
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110714101222/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118039806
  19. New York Post
    https://nypost.com/2015/12/14/fargo-ends-season-of-bloodshed-with-a-quieter-finale/
  20. TVLine
    https://tvline.com/2023/03/07/ted-danson-mike-schur-comedy-series-order-mole-agent-netflix/
  21. Golden Globes
    https://goldenglobes.com/winners-nominees/
  22. Forbes
    https://www.forbes.com/sites/marcberman1/2024/08/25/ted-danson-adds-comedy-a-man-on-the-inside-to-his-growing-acting-resume/
  23. teamcoco.com
    https://teamcoco.com/podcasts/where-everybody-knows-your-name
  24. Cheers TV Show: A Comprehensive Reference
  25. www.distractify.com
    https://www.distractify.com/p/does-ted-danson-have-children
  26. The Register-Guard
    https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ka9YAAAAIBAJ&dq=whoopi%20goldberg%20ted%20danson%20casey&pg=6508%2C962890
  27. The Daily Telegraph
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090502023213/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/5153802/Mel-Gibson-to-top-list-of-biggest-celebrity-divorce-payouts.html
  28. Chicago Tribune
    https://web.archive.org/web/20121024182251/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1993-05-23/features/9305230087_1_ted-danson-whoopi-goldberg-black
  29. "Help Save Planet Earth [x264] [VHS] "
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6RmLuu7fwo
  30. The Paley Center for Media
    https://www.paleycenter.org/collection/item/?q=rebecca&p=5&item=T:29341
  31. Variety
    https://variety.com/1993/voices/columns/nicholson-gets-big-offer-for-little-job-1117862146/
  32. www.biblio.com
    https://www.biblio.com/book/pink-vodka-blues-movie-script-screenplay/d/1284575319
  33. Sun Sentinel
    https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1994/11/04/whoopis-wanted-for-pink-vodka/
  34. New York
    https://books.google.com/books?id=qOgCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA43
  35. Country Living
    https://www.countryliving.com/life/entertainment/a45459/ted-danson-mary-steenburgen-marriage/
  36. Mercy For Animals
    http://www.mfablog.org/2012/02/cheers-to-ted-danson-for-going-vegan.html
  37. Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
    http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/blogs/2009/03/tonights-guest-ted-danson/
  38. Orange Coast
    https://books.google.com/books?id=yAQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA36
  39. "Ted Danson Talks Meditation, Love and Death: 'It's a Great Invention, Life'"
    https://people.com/health/ted-danson-talks-meditation-love-and-death-its-a-great-invention-life/
  40. In A Dark Wood
    https://archive.org/details/indarkwood00alst
  41. Arizona Daily Sun
    https://azdailysun.com/excerpt-the-mysterious-billboard-incident/article_46a9e4a9-37cc-5282-aed1-287c8eb7afef.html
  42. E–The Environmental Magazine
    https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Ted+Danson%3a+acting+for+the+oceans.-a020417682
  43. People
    https://people.com/tv/ted-danson-life-in-photos/
  44. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/books/la-xpm-2011-apr-26-la-et-ted-danson-20110426-story.html
  45. Oceana: Our Endangered Oceans and What We Can Do to Save Them
    http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10228546-oceana
  46. Rolling Stone
    https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-news/ted-danson-arrested-alongside-jane-fonda-at-d-c-climate-change-protest-904002/
  47. OpenSecrets.org
    https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?name=ted+danson
  48. The Washington Post
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120905141304/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2008/02/danson-to-hit-the-road-for-cli.html
  49. People
    https://web.archive.org/web/20100803001828/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20406677,00.html
  50. Lancaster Online
    http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/ted-danson-opens-hillary-clinton-campaign-office-in-lancaster/article_5b22a38e-89cf-11e6-885e-7781bd1a0a18.html
  51. WGAL News
    https://www.wgal.com/news/clinton-in-pennsylvania-tuesday-surrogate-ted-danson-monday/41931532
  52. Hanover Evening Sun
    http://www.eveningsun.com/story/news/2016/10/02/actor-ted-danson-stump-clinton-lancaster/91450494/
  53. Playbill
    https://playbill.com/production/status-quo-vadis-brooks-atkinson-theatre-vault-0000008038
Image
Source:
Tip: Wheel or +/− to zoom, drag to pan, Esc to close.