Ted Danson

Ted Danson
aitchisons from United States · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Ted Danson
Birth name	Edward Bridge Danson III
Birth date	1947-12-29
Birth place	San Diego, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor, producer
Years active	1975–present
Notable works	Cheers; The Good Place; Becker; CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

Ted Danson is an American actor and producer known for leading roles in television comedy and drama. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as the star of Cheers and later received acclaim for performances in The Good Place and various film and television projects. Over a multi-decade career he has worked with prominent figures and institutions across stage, screen, and environmental advocacy.

Early life and education

Born Edward Bridge Danson III in San Diego, California, he grew up in a family connected to California military and business circles and spent parts of his childhood in Arizona and Washington, D.C.. He attended Ridgefield High School before studying at Beverly Hills High School and later enrolled at Beverly Hills College and the San Diego State University satellite programs. Danson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University where he studied drama and performed with theatrical groups alongside peers who later worked in Broadway and Hollywood. He subsequently trained at the Giselle MacKenzie Studio and attended graduate work at the Juilliard School's drama division and participated in regional theater at venues such as the Mark Taper Forum and the Old Globe Theatre.

Career

Danson's breakthrough came when he was cast as Sam Malone on the NBC sitcom Cheers, created by Glen Charles, Les Charles, and James Burrows. Cheers ran through the 1980s and early 1990s and earned multiple nominations at the Primetime Emmy Awards and the Golden Globe Awards, establishing connections with co-stars including Shelley Long, Rhea Perlman, Kelsey Grammer, John Ratzenberger, and George Wendt. After Cheers he headlined the sitcom Becker and later took recurring and guest roles on series such as Curb Your Enthusiasm, Damages, and 30 Rock, collaborating with creators like Larry David, Ben Stiller, and Tina Fey. In the 2000s and 2010s he expanded into dramatic television with roles on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and as a series regular on the critically acclaimed NBC series The Good Place, created by Michael Schur, alongside co-stars Kristen Bell, William Jackson Harper, and Jameela Jamil.

Danson’s film credits span comedies and dramas, including roles in productions associated with studios such as Universal Pictures and Paramount Pictures, and he has worked under directors who have been influential in Hollywood's studio system. He has also produced and appeared in theater productions on and off Broadway, collaborating with institutions like the American Conservatory Theater and the Roundabout Theatre Company. His television production work includes executive producer credits for projects on networks including NBC, ABC, and streaming platforms like Netflix.

Personal life

Danson’s personal life has intersected with fellow performers, public figures, and cultural institutions. He married actress Rhea Perlman in a widely noted entertainment-industry wedding and the couple had children who later pursued careers connected to arts and nonprofit organizations; he later married Mary Steenburgen, also an award-winning actor and activist. His residences have included properties in New York City and Los Angeles, and he has participated in social and cultural events associated with organizations such as the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and the Screen Actors Guild‑American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

Philanthropy and activism

Danson has been active in environmental advocacy, notably supporting marine conservation and organizations like the Oceana and collaborating with scientists and policymakers linked to institutions such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. He has served on boards and advisory panels with conservation groups and international NGOs, and has campaigned on issues intersecting with climate policy and ocean protection alongside figures from the United Nations and nonprofit sector leaders. Danson has also supported arts organizations, including theater companies and scholarship funds tied to Stanford University and regional performing arts centers, and has participated in benefit performances for causes associated with institutions like the Red Cross and United Way.

Awards and recognition

Throughout his career Danson has received multiple nominations and awards from major institutions. He won Emmy Awards presented by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for his television work and has been honored by the Screen Actors Guild and the Television Critics Association. His shows received accolades at the Golden Globe Awards and ensemble recognitions from organizations such as the Broadcasting Press Guild and the Writers Guild of America for series where he served as actor or producer. Danson’s contributions to performing arts and environmental activism have also been recognized with honors from advocacy organizations and cultural institutions, including lifetime achievement acknowledgments from regional theaters and environmental groups.

Category:American actors Category:American environmentalists Category:1947 births Category:Living people