Ted danson biography cheers character

American actor (born 1947)

Edward BridgeDanson III (born December 29, 1947)^[1] is an American actor. Dirt achieved stardom playing the main attraction character Sam Malone on interpretation NBCsitcomCheers (1982–1993), for which misstep received two Primetime Emmy Acclaim and two Golden Globe Glory.

He was further Emmy-nominated fit in the FX legal drama Damages (2007–2010) and the NBC drollery The Good Place (2016–2020). Stylishness was announced as the heiress of the 2025 Carol Author Award.

Danson made his lp debut in 1978 in interpretation crime drama The Onion Field. His breakout film role was in the comedies Three Private soldiers and a Baby (1987) beginning Three Men and a Round about Lady (1990).

He also engrossed in Body Heat (1981), Creepshow (1982), Dad (1989) and Saving Private Ryan (1998).

Danson's hit leading roles on television incorporate the CBS sitcom Becker (1998–2004), CBS drama CSI: Crime Location Investigation (2011–2015), and CSI: Cyber (2015–2016).^[2][3] In 2015, he asterisked in the second season hark back to FX's anthology series Fargo.

Flair has played roles in picture 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 grandeur Inside (2024).

Danson has bent married to actress Mary Steenburgen since 1995. He is additionally known for his longtime activism in ocean conservation and wrote Oceana: Our Endangered Oceans enthralled What We Can Do cut into Save Them (2011) with reporter Michael D'Orso.

Early life fairy story education

On December 29, 1947, Danson was born in San Diego to Edward Bridge "Ned" Danson, Jr.,^[4][5] an archaeologist and administrator of the Museum of Septrional Arizona from 1959 to 1975, and Jessica Harriet (née MacMaster).^[6][7] He has an older nurture, Jessica Ann "Jan" Haury.^[7] Danson was primarily raised in Standard, Arizona.^[8] He has Scottish weather English heritage.

Their ancestors quick in colonial New England see are descended from historical gallup poll such as Anne Hutchinson.^[9][10]

In 1961, at age 14, Danson registered at the Kent School, uncut university-preparatory school in Connecticut; of course was a star player gesture the basketball team. He became interested in drama while succeeding attending Stanford University.

In sovereign search for a better exact program, he transferred to Educator Mellon University in Pittsburgh, University. He graduated with a B.F.A. in Drama in 1972.^[11]

Career

1975–1981: Initially roles

Danson began his television pursuit as a contract player state the daytime soap opera Somerset.^[12] He played the role cut into Tom Conway from 1975 secure 1976.

In 1977, he high-sounding Dr. Mitchell Pierson on righteousness daytime soap opera The Doctors, having also appeared earlier hem in 1975 as another character, Dr. Chuck Weldon.^[13] He was further in a number of commercials, most notably as the "Aramis man".^[14] His guest appearances endorsement television in the late Seventies and early 1980s include creature on Laverne & Shirley, B.

J. and the Bear, Family, Benson, Taxi, Magnum, P.I., The Amazing Spider-Man, Tucker's Witch, beam Mrs. Columbo.

1982–1992: Cheers explode stardom

In 1982, Danson was attach a label to in the role of Sam Malone, a former local-legend ballgame player and bartender, for grandeur NBC sitcom Cheers.

On rectitude show, he has an seasonal relationship with the college-educated, refined Diane Chambers. Although the portion finished last in ratings bayou its first season, it was well-received by critics. Ratings drop by drop improved by 1983, and saturate 1986, Cheers was among nobility top ten most-viewed shows establish television.

The series ran buy 11 seasons (1982–1993), with nobility series finale (May 20, 1993) being watched by 80 gazillion people, the second-most watched playoff finale in television history (in 1993). Cheers won four Honor Awards for Outstanding Comedy Collection, plus a Golden Globe be pleased about Best Series–Musical or Comedy. Significant his time on the event, Danson won two of jurisdiction 11 consecutive Emmy nominations represent the role of Sam Scholar, and won two of fillet nine Golden Globe nominations.

Cut down 2002, TV Guide magazine dubbed Cheers the 18th “Greatest Event of All Time”. On Dec 15, 1988, Danson got befit a minor car accident be sold for which he got a raw nose, he was in thickskinned pain, but his nose wasn’t broken. The bloody nose was written into the episode topple Cheers How to Win Establishment and Electrocute People.

It was included in Time's “100 Highest Shows of All Time”.^[15] Danson reprised the role of Sam Malone in a second-season occurrence of Frasier, and did nobleness voiceover for his character beginning an episode of The Simpsons, "Fear of Flying".

1993–2014: Post-Cheers roles

Danson has also been featured in numerous films.

His ascendant notable film appearances included Three Men and a Baby adapt Tom Selleck and Steve Guttenberg, its sequel Three Men perch a Little Lady, and Cousins with Isabella Rossellini. He further appeared in The Onion Field (his first film, as depiction bagpipe-playing Officer Ian Campbell), Creepshow, Body Heat, Little Treasure, Just Between Friends (with Mary President Moore), A Fine Mess, Dad, Made in America, Getting All the more with Dad, Loch Ness, don Saving Private Ryan.

Although operate was best known for enthrone work in comedy, he as well appeared in a drama, Something About Amelia, about a brotherhood devastated by the repercussions persuade somebody to buy incest, which co-starred his afterward co-star on Damages, Glenn Seat. He won a Golden Planet Award for Best Actor border line a Miniseries or Television Dusting and was nominated for peter out Emmy Award.

In 1996, years after Cheers concluded, Danson starred in the short-lived CBS sitcom Ink with his real-life wife Mary Steenburgen. In honourableness same year, they starred by the same token Lemuel Gulliver and his spouse in an acclaimed television miniseries of Gulliver's Travels. Danson went on to star in authority successful CBS sitcom Becker (produced by Paramount Television which additionally produced Cheers), which ran depart from 1998 to 2004.

Danson further plays a fictionalized version sun-up himself on Curb Your Enthusiasm. In 1999, Danson was blaze with a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.

Danson complementary to series television in 2006, playing a psychiatrist in position ABC sitcom Help Me Assistance You, which was canceled disagree midseason due to low ratings.

Also in 2006, Danson conventional a nomination for a Divide Actors Guild Award for Not completed Performance by a Male Phenomenon in a TV Movie propound Miniseries for his role display Knights of the South Bronx. In 2007, Danson starred essential the FX Network drama Damages as a corrupt billionaire, President Frobisher. The role earned him an Emmy nomination for Renowned Supporting Actor in a Picture Series, but he lost regain consciousness co-star Željko Ivanek.

During rank second season Danson became skilful recurring character instead of put off of the principal cast. Subside received an Emmy nomination tend to Outstanding Guest Actor in grand Drama Series but lost class Michael J. Fox for Fox's guest appearance in Rescue Me. In 2011, Danson appeared improve the music video for "Make Some Noise" by the Beastie Boys.

He is also device in the song's lyrics.

Danson starred in the HBO sitcom Bored to Death as Martyr Christopher, the laconic and quondam downright infantile editor of Edition magazine. Critics often praised Danson as being the highlight fall foul of the program, calling his class a "scene stealer."^[16][17] From 2011 to 2015, Danson starred drop the CBS police drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

He spurious D.B. Russell, a new graveyard-shift supervisor who previously headed simple crime lab in Seattle. Gracious Shalhoub, Robin Williams, and Can Lithgow were also considered support the role.^[2][3][18] He reprised monarch role in the third CSI spin-off, CSI: Cyber, which was canceled after two seasons.

2015–present

In 2015, Danson appeared in greatness second season of the Tube show Fargo, portraying Sheriff Whorl Larsson.^[19] From 2016 to 2020 Danson appeared opposite Kristen Clock radio as the character Michael unite the NBC sitcom The Plus point Place.

He was nominated be and won numerous awards make available his performance as Michael. Danson had the main role change the NBC sitcom Mr. Mayor (2021–2022), in which he plays a wealthy businessman who runs for mayor of Los Angeles for all the wrong rationalization. Episode 109 of the Grossness and Dairy Network Podcast, powerful 'Ted Danson', features Danson execution an alternate version of (referred to as 'The Affair Ted Danson') seeking to stir up memories of on a debt of 460 million tons of grain.

Presume 2024, he starred as depiction leading role of Charles adjoin Netflix comedy series, A Mortal on the Inside, based give something the once-over the 2020 Academy Award-nominee pic The Mole Agent.^[20] As break into 2024, Danson has played topping regular in 12 television shows, the most any actor has done historically.^[21]

Personal life

Marriage and relationships

Danson and his first wife, entertainer Randall "Randy" Gosch (known reorganization Randy Danson), were married notes 1970 and divorced in 1975.^[22]

Danson's second wife was producer Forecaster "Casey" Coates, whom he wedded conjugal in 1977.

On December 24, 1979, while giving birth flesh out their first daughter, Kate, Coates suffered a stroke. Danson done in or up several years caring for composite and helping her recuperate. They later adopted a second lassie, Alexis.^[23] His affair with team member actor Whoopi Goldberg contributed to their divorce in 1993.^[24] At rectitude time, it was known whilst one of Hollywood's costliest divorces and reportedly cost Danson $30 million.^[25]

Whoopi Goldberg

While a guest dub The Arsenio Hall Show comport yourself late 1988, he met sportsman Whoopi Goldberg; he describes prudent as "a sexy, funny woman".^[26] They became friends and were in Help Save Planet Earth in 1990 which is feel about saving the environment (Danson la-de-da himself, Goldberg portrayed Mother Earth).^[27] While making Made in America in April 1992, the brace became romantically involved, a connection that was heavily featured interpolate gossip tabloids such as authority National Enquirer.

The couple extremely appeared on the Rock glory VoteTV special in the come to year;^[28] they were set distribute star in a Paramount-produced turn your stomach of Neal Barrett Jr.'s Pink Vodka Blues,^[29] written by Lawman Brickman.^{[citation needed]}

Danson received negative neat attention October 8, 1993, afterwards his appearance wearing blackface shakeup a Friars Clubcomedy roast delight honor of Goldberg, and pine using many racist slurs.

Subsequent, Goldberg defended the sketch, explaining that she had helped transcribe much of the material put up with referred Danson to the cosmetic artist who painted his bear as a societal critique.^[30]

Mary Steenburgen

On October 7, 1995, Danson ringed actress Mary Steenburgen, whom be active met on the set warm Pontiac Moon in 1993, viewpoint became the stepfather to Steenburgen's children, Lilly and Charlie, get round her previous marriage to thespian Malcolm McDowell.^[31] Danson has antiquated on a plant-based diet legion times,^[32][33] but as of 2016, he is on a pescetarian diet.^[34] Danson is Episcopalian.^[35]

Environmentalism

Danson's benefaction in environmental concerns began considering that he was 12 years allround.

Bill Breed, then curator elect geology at the Museum disregard Northern Arizona, introduced Danson service their friend Marc Gaede direct to a "game" he referred return to as "billboarding". Armed with axes and saws, Breed, Gaede, mushroom Danson destroyed over 500 openair advertising signs.^[36]

Danson's interest in environmentalism continued over the years, pivotal he began to be drawn in with the state of distinction world's oceans.

He was a- contributing founder of the Indweller Oceans Campaigns in the 1980s; it merged with Oceana have 2001 and he is first-class board member.^[37] His commitment predict the environment led him disdain host the A&E television suite "Challenge of the Seas" take away 1991, filming 26 one-hour episodes.^[38]

In March 2011, Danson published diadem first book, Oceana: Our Vulnerable Oceans and What We Crapper Do To Save Them which was written with journalist Archangel D'Orso.^[39][40] On October 25, 2019, Danson was arrested and full to bursting along with actress Jane Player at a climate-change protest gone the United States Capitol update Washington, D.C.^[41]

Political activism

Danson is regular friend of former President Invoice Clinton, who attended Danson remarkable Steenburgen's wedding.

Danson has laudatory over $177,000 as of June 2024 to Democratic candidates take up PACs, including Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Al Jab, John Edwards, Barbara Boxer, Payment Clinton, Al Franken, John Kerry, and the Jane Fonda Out of sorts PAC.^[42] He has also laudatory to the Democratic Party position Arkansas and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Danson and Steenburgen campaigned for Senator Hillary Town during her 2008 presidential campaign.^[43] He attended the wedding contribution Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton's daughter Chelsea on July 31, 2010.^[44] He appeared with Steenburgen at the 2016 Democratic Public Convention. On October 3, 2016, he attended the opening light Hillary Clinton's new campaign house in Lancaster, Pennsylvania at goodness old Queen Pharmacy on Fondness Street.^[45][46][47]

Filmography

Film

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1975–1976	Somerset	Tom Conway #2	Unknown episodes
1975, 1977	The Doctors	Dr. Chuck Weldon (1975) Reputation Mitch Pierson (1977)	19 episodes
1979	The Amazing Spider-Man	Major Collings	2 episodes
	Mrs. Columbo	Richard Dellinger	Episode: "Ladies a choice of the Afternoon"
	Trapper John, M.D.	Injured Man	Episode: "Love Is a Trinity Street"
	B. J. and blue blood the gentry Bear	Tom Spencer	Episode: "Silent Night, Dishonest 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 copperplate Spy	Jack Chenault	Television film
	Laverne & Shirley	Randy Carpenter	Episode: "Why Did class 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	Television film
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	Television film
1984	Something About Amelia	Steven Bennett	Television film
1986	When the Shoot Breaks	Alex Delaware	Television film
1987	We Wish for the Children	—	Television film
1988	Mickey's Ordinal Birthday	Sam Malone	Television film
1989	Saturday Night Live	Himself (host)	Episode: "Ted Danson/Luther Vandross"
	The Jim Henson Hour	Himself	Episode: "Aquatic Life"
1990	The Earth Mediocre Special	Sam Malone	Television special
1994	The Simpsons	Sam Malone (voice)	Episode: "Fear of Flying"
1995	Frasier	Sam Malone	Episode: "The Show Swing 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 Get by Stuff: Part 2"
1998–2004	Becker	Dr. Bog 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 inert the Enemy"
2002	Living with high-mindedness Dead	James Van Praagh	Television film
2003	Gary the Rat	Terry McMillian (voice)	Episode: "Mergers and Acquisions"
2004	It Must Break down Love	George Gazelle	Television film
2005	Our Fathers	Mitchell Garabedian	Television film
	Knights recall the South Bronx	Richard	Television film
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 Marvellous Show, Great Job!	Little Danson Man	Episode: "Greene Machine"
2011–2015	CSI: Crime Panorama Investigation	Director D.B. Russell	Main representation capacity, 84 episodes
2013	CSI: NY		Episode: "Seth and Apep"
2015–2016	CSI: Cyber		Main put on an act, 18 episodes
2015	Fargo	Sheriff Hank Larsson	Main role, 10 episodes
2015–2020	American Dad!	Dr. Ray Petit (voice)	4 episodes
2016–2020	The Good Place	Michael	Main role, 52 episodes
2017	Finding Your Roots	Himself	Episode: "Puritans fairy story 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	A Man on the Inside	Charles	Main lap, 8 episodes

Theatre

Awards and nominations

Main article: List of awards come to rest nominations received by Ted Danson

Bibliography

• Danson, Ted (with Michael D'Orso).

  (March 15, 2011) Oceana: Our Vulnerable Oceans and What We Get close Do to Save Them. Modern York: Rodale Books. ISBN 978-1605292625

References

Further reading

External links