Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Ted Danson
Discover the career path of Ted Danson, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Ted Danson is an acclaimed American actor, best known for his iconic portrayal of Sam Malone on the hit NBC sitcom Cheers, which earned him multiple Emmy and Golden Globe awards. His extensive television career includes lead roles in critically lauded series such as Becker, The Good Place, Damages, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Beyond his comedic timing, Danson has demonstrated significant versatility in dramatic roles, solidifying his status as a television icon. Throughout his career, he has garnered numerous accolades, including several Primetime Emmy Awards and Golden Globes. In addition to his acting pursuits, Danson is a dedicated environmental activist, particularly known for his work in ocean conservation and his role as a board member of Oceana. With a career spanning several decades, he remains a prominent and respected figure in the entertainment industry, celebrated for his enduring talent and commitment to social causes.
1972: Graduation from Carnegie Mellon University
In 1972, Ted Danson completed his undergraduate education by graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Drama from Carnegie Mellon University, following his transfer from Stanford University to pursue a superior acting curriculum.
1975: Early Television Roles
In 1975, Ted Danson launched his television career as a contract player for the soap opera Somerset and also appeared as Dr. Chuck Weldon on the show The Doctors.
1976: Conclusion of Somerset Role
In 1976, Danson finished his stint portraying the character Tom Conway on the daytime soap opera Somerset.
1977: Role in The Doctors
During 1977, Ted Danson took on the role of Dr. Mitchell Pierson in the soap opera The Doctors.
1978: Film Debut
In 1978, Danson made his feature film debut portraying Officer Ian Campbell in The Onion Field.
1978: Film Debut in The Onion Field
In 1978, Ted Danson made his professional film debut appearing in the crime drama The Onion Field.
1981: Appearance in Body Heat
In 1981, Ted Danson appeared in the motion picture Body Heat.
1982: Appearance in Creepshow
In 1982, Danson featured in the film Creepshow.
1982: Premiere of Cheers
In 1982, Ted Danson began his iconic role as the lead character Sam Malone on the NBC sitcom Cheers.
1982: Casting as Sam Malone in Cheers
In 1982, Ted Danson was cast as the iconic bartender Sam Malone for the debut of the NBC sitcom Cheers, which began its 11-season run that year.
1983: Improved Ratings for Cheers
Following a difficult first season in 1982, the television show Cheers began to see its ratings gradually improve by 1983.
1984: Critical acclaim for Something About Amelia
In 1984, Ted Danson showcased his dramatic range in the television film Something About Amelia, earning a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor and an Emmy nomination.
1985: Role in Little Treasure
In 1985, Ted Danson took on a role in the film Little Treasure.
1986: Cheers reaches Top Ten Status
By 1986, the sitcom Cheers had successfully climbed the ratings ladder to become one of the top ten most-viewed shows on television.
1986: Appearances in Just Between Friends and A Fine Mess
In 1986, Ted Danson appeared in two films: Just Between Friends alongside Mary Tyler Moore, and the comedy A Fine Mess.
1987: Starring role in Three Men and a Baby
In 1987, Ted Danson starred in the comedy film Three Men and a Baby alongside co-stars Tom Selleck and Steve Guttenberg.
1989: Appearances in Cousins and Dad
During 1989, Ted Danson expanded his filmography by appearing in the movie Cousins with Isabella Rossellini and the film Dad.
1989: Performance in Dad
Ted Danson participated in the 1989 film Dad, further establishing his presence in the movie industry.
1990: Collaboration on Help Save Planet Earth
In 1990, Ted Danson and Whoopi Goldberg worked together on the environmental project Help Save Planet Earth, where Danson played himself and Goldberg portrayed Mother Earth.
1990: Role in Three Men and a Little Lady
In 1990, Ted Danson continued his film success by starring in the comedy sequel Three Men and a Little Lady.
May 20, 1993: Conclusion of Cheers
On May 20, 1993, the series finale of Cheers aired, drawing 80 million viewers and marking it as the second-most watched series finale in television history at that time.
1993: Conclusion of Cheers run
By 1993, Ted Danson concluded his tenure as Sam Malone on the television show Cheers.
1993: Role in Made in America
In 1993, Ted Danson appeared in the film Made in America following the conclusion of his time on the show Cheers.
1993: Meeting Mary Steenburgen
In 1993, Ted Danson met actress Mary Steenburgen while working together on the set of the film Pontiac Moon, which marked the beginning of their relationship.
1994: Role in Getting Even with Dad
Ted Danson expanded his filmography in 1994 by appearing in the movie Getting Even with Dad.
1996: Film and Television Appearances
During 1996, Danson appeared in the film Loch Ness, starred in the CBS sitcom Ink alongside his wife Mary Steenburgen, and portrayed Lemuel Gulliver in the miniseries Gulliver's Travels.
1998: Performance in Saving Private Ryan
In 1998, Ted Danson acted in the critically acclaimed war film Saving Private Ryan.
1998: Saving Private Ryan and Start of Becker
In 1998, Ted Danson appeared in the film Saving Private Ryan and began his lead role in the successful CBS sitcom Becker, which ran until 2004.
1998: Starring role in Becker
In 1998, Ted Danson began his starring role in the CBS sitcom Becker, a show he would continue to work on until 2004.
2000: Beginning of Curb Your Enthusiasm appearances
In 2000, Ted Danson began his long-running appearances in the HBO comedy Curb Your Enthusiasm.
2004: Conclusion of Becker
The successful CBS sitcom Becker, which featured Ted Danson in the title role, concluded its broadcast run in 2004.
2006: Return to TV and SAG Award Nomination
In 2006, Ted Danson starred as a psychiatrist in the short-lived ABC sitcom 'Help Me Help You', which was canceled mid-season, and he also earned a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for his performance in the TV movie 'Knights of the South Bronx'.
2007: Debut on Damages
In 2007, Ted Danson began his performance in the FX legal drama Damages, for which he later received Emmy nominations.
2007: Role in Damages and Emmy Nominations
Starting in 2007, Danson portrayed billionaire Arthur Frobisher on the FX drama 'Damages', earning consecutive Emmy nominations for his performance across the first and second seasons of the series.
2008: Role in Mad Money
Ted Danson continued his film career in 2008 with a role in the movie Mad Money.
2009: Starring role in Bored to Death
Beginning in 2009, Ted Danson began his starring role as George Christopher in the HBO sitcom Bored to Death, where he played the editor of Edition magazine until 2011.
2009: Debut in Bored to Death
Ted Danson started his role in the HBO comedy series Bored to Death in 2009.
2010: End of Damages role
In 2010, Ted Danson concluded his role on the legal drama series Damages.
2011: Joining CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Bored to Death
In 2011, Ted Danson began a lead role in the CBS drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and concluded his participation in the HBO comedy Bored to Death.
2011: Lead role in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
In 2011, Ted Danson joined the cast of the CBS police drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation as the character D.B. Russell, continuing in this role until 2015.
2011: Publication of Oceana: Our Endangered Oceans and What We Can Do to Save Them
In 2011, Ted Danson published the book Oceana: Our Endangered Oceans and What We Can Do to Save Them, which he co-authored with journalist Michael D'Orso to promote ocean conservation.
2012: Role in Big Miracle
In 2012, Danson added to his film credits by appearing in the production Big Miracle.
2015: Roles in Fargo and CSI: Cyber
During 2015, Ted Danson took on a role in the second season of FX's Fargo and began starring in the CBS drama CSI: Cyber.
2015: Conclusion of CSI lead role
In 2015, Ted Danson concluded his tenure as a series regular on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and transitioned his character, D.B. Russell, to the spin-off series CSI: Cyber.
2015: Role in Fargo
In 2015, Ted Danson took on the role of Sheriff Hank Larsson for the second season of the television series Fargo.
2016: Role in The Good Place begins
In 2016, Ted Danson started his role in the NBC comedy The Good Place, earning Emmy nominations for the performance.
2016: Conclusion of CSI: Cyber
In 2016, Ted Danson's appearance in the CBS drama series CSI: Cyber came to an end.
2016: Start of The Good Place
Starting in 2016, Ted Danson began his starring role as Michael alongside Kristen Bell in the NBC sitcom The Good Place.
2020: Conclusion of The Good Place
In 2020, Ted Danson completed his work on the series The Good Place.
2021: Premiere of Mr. Mayor
In 2021, Ted Danson began his leading role in the NBC sitcom Mr. Mayor, portraying a wealthy businessman turned politician.
2022: Conclusion of Mr. Mayor
Ted Danson wrapped up his starring role as the mayor of Los Angeles in the NBC sitcom Mr. Mayor in 2022.
2024: Curb Your Enthusiasm end and A Man on the Inside start
In 2024, Ted Danson concluded his tenure on Curb Your Enthusiasm and began starring in the Netflix comedy A Man on the Inside.
2024: Starred in A Man on the Inside and Became Spokesperson
In 2024, Ted Danson starred as Charles in the Netflix series 'A Man on the Inside', became the spokesperson for Consumer Cellular, and launched the 'Where Everybody Knows Your Name' podcast with Woody Harrelson.
2024: Conclusion of Curb Your Enthusiasm appearances
Ted Danson finished his tenure playing a fictionalized version of himself on Curb Your Enthusiasm in 2024.
2025: Bob Hope Humanitarian Award
At the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2025, Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen were honored with the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award.
2026: Voice Role in Henry David Thoreau
In 2026, Ted Danson provided the voice for Ralph Waldo Emerson in the PBS documentary titled 'Henry David Thoreau'.
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