Discover the career path of Ted Danson, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Ted Danson is an American actor renowned for his role as Sam Malone in the hit sitcom Cheers, earning him multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Awards. His career includes notable performances in Damages and The Good Place, both of which garnered Emmy nominations. Danson's contributions to television were further acknowledged with the 2025 Carol Burnett Award, solidifying his status as a celebrated figure in the entertainment industry.
In 1975, Ted Danson began his television career as a contract player on the daytime soap opera Somerset, playing the role of Tom Conway.
In 1977, Ted Danson played Dr. Mitchell Pierson on the daytime soap opera The Doctors, having also appeared earlier in 1975 as another character, Dr. Chuck Weldon.
In 1978, Ted Danson made his film debut in the crime drama The Onion Field.
In 1982, Ted Danson was cast as Sam Malone in the NBC sitcom Cheers, a role that would bring him stardom.
In 1987, Ted Danson achieved a breakout film role in the comedy Three Men and a Baby.
In 1991, Ted Danson hosted the A&E television series "Challenge of the Seas", filming 26 one-hour episodes.
On May 20, 1993, the series finale of Cheers aired, watched by 80 million people.
In 2001, the American Oceans Campaign, co-founded by Ted Danson, merged with Oceana, where he became a board member.
In 2006, Ted Danson starred in the ABC sitcom Help Me Help You and received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Knights of the South Bronx.
In 2007, Ted Danson starred in the FX Network drama Damages as Arthur Frobisher, earning an Emmy nomination.
In March 2011, Ted Danson published his first book, Oceana: Our Endangered Oceans and What We Can Do To Save Them, co-written with Michael D'Orso.
From 2011 to 2015, Ted Danson starred in the CBS drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation as D.B. Russell.
In 2011, Ted Danson published his book Oceana: Our Endangered Oceans and What We Can Do to Save Them, co-written with Michael D'Orso.
In 2015 and 2016, Ted Danson starred in the CBS drama CSI: Cyber, a spin-off of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
In 2015, Ted Danson appeared in the second season of the TV show Fargo, portraying Sheriff Hank Larsson.
In 2015, Ted Danson left CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
From 2016 to 2020, Ted Danson starred opposite Kristen Bell in the NBC sitcom The Good Place, earning numerous award nominations and wins.
On October 25, 2019, Ted Danson was arrested along with Jane Fonda at a climate-change protest in Washington, D.C.
In 2020, Ted Danson finished his performance on the NBC sitcom The Good Place.
From 2021 to 2022, Ted Danson had the main role on the NBC sitcom Mr. Mayor, playing a wealthy businessman who runs for mayor of Los Angeles.
As of June 2024, Ted Danson has donated over $177,000 to Democratic candidates and PACs.
In 2024, Ted Danson started in the leading role of Charles in the Netflix comedy series, A Man on the Inside.