History of Ted Danson in Timeline
Ted Danson is a highly acclaimed American actor widely recognized for his iconic role as Sam Malone in the hit sitcom "Cheers." His performance earned him two Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards. Danson's illustrious career includes notable roles in the legal drama "Damages" and the comedy series "The Good Place," both of which garnered him further Emmy Award nominations. In recognition of his significant contributions to the entertainment industry, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999.
December 29, 1947: Ted Danson is Born
On December 29, 1947, Ted Danson was born in San Diego.
1959: Edward Danson Jr. Becomes Curator of the Museum of Northern Arizona
Ted Danson's father, Edward Danson Jr., began his tenure as curator of the Museum of Northern Arizona in 1959.
1961: Danson Attends Kent School
At the age of 14, in 1961, Ted Danson enrolled at Kent School, a university-preparatory school in Connecticut.
1970: Danson Marries Randall Gosch
Ted Danson married actress Randall "Randy" Gosch, known professionally as Randy Danson, in 1970.
1972: Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University
Ted Danson graduated with a B.F.A. in Drama from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh in 1972.
1975: Edward Danson Jr.'s Time at the Museum Ends
In 1975, Edward Danson Jr. finished his time as curator of the Museum of Northern Arizona.
1975: Danson and Gosch Divorce
In 1975, Ted Danson and his first wife, Randall "Randy" Gosch, divorced.
1975: Danson Debuts in "Somerset" and Appears on "The Doctors"
Ted Danson began his television career in 1975 as a contract player on the daytime soap opera "Somerset", playing Tom Conway, and also appeared on "The Doctors" as Dr. Chuck Weldon.
1976: Danson's Role on "Somerset" Concludes
In 1976, Ted Danson's time on the daytime soap opera "Somerset" concluded.
1977: Appears as Dr. Mitchell Pierson in "The Doctors"
In 1977, Ted Danson appeared in the daytime soap opera "The Doctors" as Dr. Mitchell Pierson.
1977: Marriage to Cassandra Coates
Ted Danson married producer Cassandra "Casey" Coates in 1977.
1978: Film Debut in "The Onion Field"
In 1978, Ted Danson made his film debut in the crime drama "The Onion Field".
December 24, 1979: Birth of Kate Danson and Cassandra Coates' Stroke
On December 24, 1979, Ted Danson and his then-wife, Cassandra Coates, welcomed their first daughter, Kate. Tragically, Coates suffered a stroke during the delivery.
1981: Appearance in "Body Heat"
Ted Danson appeared in the film "Body Heat" in 1981.
1982: "Cheers" Premieres on NBC
In 1982, the first season of "Cheers", the NBC sitcom starring Ted Danson as Sam Malone, aired.
1983: "Cheers" Sees Ratings Improvement
By 1983, "Cheers" began to see improvements in its ratings, which had been low during its first season.
1986: "Cheers" Achieves Top 10 Ranking
By 1986, "Cheers" had become one of the top ten most-viewed shows on television.
1987: Breakthrough Role in "Three Men and a Baby"
In 1987, Ted Danson had his breakout film role as Jack Holden in the comedy "Three Men and a Baby".
1988: Meeting Whoopi Goldberg
Ted Danson met actress Whoopi Goldberg while guest-starring on "The Arsenio Hall Show" in late 1988.
1989: Danson Stars in "Dad"
Ted Danson starred in the film "Dad" in 1989.
1990: Reprises Role in "Three Men and a Little Lady"
In 1990, Ted Danson reprised his role as Jack Holden in "Three Men and a Little Lady", the sequel to "Three Men and a Baby".
1990: "Help Save Planet Earth"
Ted Danson and Whoopi Goldberg appeared together in the 1990 environmental film "Help Save Planet Earth."
1991: "Challenge of the Seas"
Reflecting his environmental commitment, Ted Danson hosted the A&E television series "Challenge of the Seas" in 1991, filming 26 episodes.
April 1992: Relationship with Whoopi Goldberg
Ted Danson and Whoopi Goldberg began a romantic relationship in April 1992 while filming "Made in America." Their relationship was frequently covered by tabloid media.
May 20, 1993: "Cheers" Series Finale Airs
The series finale of "Cheers", the show that catapulted Ted Danson to stardom, aired on May 20, 1993, and was watched by 80 million viewers, making it the second most watched series finale in television history at that time.
October 8, 1993: Blackface Controversy at Friars Club Roast
Ted Danson sparked controversy after appearing in blackface and using racist slurs during a Friars Club roast in honor of Whoopi Goldberg on October 8, 1993. Goldberg defended the act, saying she co-wrote the material.
1993: Divorce from Cassandra Coates
Ted Danson and Cassandra Coates divorced in 1993 after his affair with Whoopi Goldberg became public. The divorce was one of Hollywood's most expensive at the time.
1993: Meeting Mary Steenburgen
Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen met in 1993 on the set of the film "Pontiac Moon."
October 7, 1995: Marriage to Mary Steenburgen
Ted Danson married actress Mary Steenburgen on October 7, 1995, after meeting on the set of "Pontiac Moon" in 1993.
1995: Danson Marries Mary Steenburgen
Ted Danson married actress Mary Steenburgen in 1995.
1996: Danson Stars in "Ink" and "Gulliver's Travels"
Three years after the conclusion of "Cheers", in 1996, Ted Danson starred in the short-lived CBS sitcom "Ink" alongside his wife Mary Steenburgen. That same year, the couple also starred together as Lemuel Gulliver and his wife in a well-regarded television miniseries adaptation of "Gulliver's Travels".
1998: Appears in "Saving Private Ryan"
Ted Danson appeared in Steven Spielberg's acclaimed war drama "Saving Private Ryan" in 1998.
1998: "Becker" Premieres on CBS
Ted Danson's CBS sitcom "Becker" premiered in 1998.
1998: "Becker" Premieres
Ted Danson's successful CBS sitcom "Becker" premiered in 1998.
1999: Danson Receives Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
In 1999, Ted Danson was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
1999: Hollywood Walk of Fame
In 1999, Ted Danson received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2000: Danson Begins Recurring Role on "Curb Your Enthusiasm"
In 2000, Ted Danson began his recurring role as a fictionalized version of himself on HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm".
2001: American Oceans Campaigns Merges with Oceana
The American Oceans Campaigns, which Ted Danson co-founded, merged with Oceana in 2001. Danson serves as a board member.
2002: "Cheers" Named One of the Greatest Shows of All Time
In 2002, "TV Guide" magazine named "Cheers" the 18th "Greatest Show of All Time".
2004: "Becker" Concludes
After a successful run, Ted Danson's sitcom "Becker" concluded in 2004.
2004: "Becker" Ends Its Run
In 2004, the CBS sitcom "Becker", starring Ted Danson, concluded after six seasons.
2006: Danson Receives Screen Actors Guild Award Nomination
In 2006, Ted Danson received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries for his role in "Knights of the South Bronx".
2006: Danson Stars in "Help Me Help You"
In the fall of 2006, Ted Danson returned to series television as a psychiatrist in the ABC sitcom "Help Me Help You", which unfortunately was canceled mid-season due to low ratings.
2007: Danson Stars in "Damages"
In 2007, Ted Danson took on the role of Arthur Frobisher in the FX Network drama "Damages".
2007: Danson Earns Emmy Nomination for "Damages"
Ted Danson's performance as Arthur Frobisher in "Damages" earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2007. He continued in the role as a recurring character in season two, receiving another Emmy nomination, this time for Outstanding Guest Actor, in 2008.
2008: Campaigns for Hillary Clinton
Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen campaigned for Hillary Clinton during her 2008 presidential run.
2009: Danson Joins HBO's "Bored to Death"
Ted Danson joined the cast of HBO's "Bored to Death" in 2009.
July 31, 2010: Attends Chelsea Clinton's Wedding
Ted Danson attended Chelsea Clinton's wedding on July 31, 2010.
2010: Danson's Role in "Damages" Ends
In 2010, Ted Danson's role as a series regular on the FX Network drama "Damages" ended.
March 2011: "Oceana: Our Endangered Oceans and What We Can Do To Save Them" Publication
In March 2011, Ted Danson published his first book, "Oceana: Our Endangered Oceans and What We Can Do To Save Them," co-written with journalist Michael D'Orso.
March 2011: "Oceana: Our Endangered Oceans and What We Can Do to Save Them" is Published
In March 2011, Ted Danson's first book, "Oceana: Our Endangered Oceans and What We Can Do to Save Them," co-written with Michael D'Orso, was published.
July 2011: Danson Joins "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation"
In July 2011, CBS announced that Ted Danson would be joining the cast of the police drama "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation", playing D.B. Russell, a new graveyard-shift supervisor who had previously led a crime lab in Seattle.
2011: "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" Adds Danson to Cast
Ted Danson joined the cast of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" as D.B. Russell in 2011.
2011: Danson Appears in Beastie Boys Music Video
In 2011, Ted Danson appeared in the music video for "Make Some Noise" by the Beastie Boys, and is also mentioned in the song's lyrics.
March 2013: Danson Signs on for Two More Years of "CSI"
Ted Danson signed a deal in March 2013 to appear on "CSI" for an additional two years.
2015: Danson Stars in "Fargo" Season Two
In 2015, Ted Danson appeared as Sheriff Hank Larsson in the second season of FX's anthology series "Fargo".
2015: Danson Appears in "Fargo" Season 2
Ted Danson portrayed Sheriff Hank Larsson in the second season of FX's "Fargo" in 2015.
September 2016: "The Good Place" Premieres
The NBC sitcom "The Good Place", featuring Ted Danson and Kristen Bell, premiered in September 2016.
October 3, 2016: Attends Hillary Clinton Campaign Office Opening
Danson attended the opening of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign office in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on October 3, 2016.
2016: Danson Stars in "The Good Place"
In 2016, Ted Danson began starring as Michael in the acclaimed NBC sitcom "The Good Place", opposite Kristen Bell.
2016: Adopts Pescetarian Diet
By 2016, Ted Danson adopted a pescetarian diet after having explored plant-based eating previously.
2016: "CSI: Cyber" Concludes
"CSI: Cyber", which featured Ted Danson as D.B. Russell, was canceled after two seasons, ending in 2016.
July 2019: Danson Cast in "Mr. Mayor"
In July 2019, Ted Danson was cast in a lead role in the situation comedy "Mr. Mayor".
October 25, 2019: Arrest at Climate Change Protest
On October 25, 2019, Ted Danson was arrested and charged alongside Jane Fonda during a climate change protest in Washington, D.C.
January 2020: "The Good Place" Ends Its Run
The acclaimed NBC sitcom "The Good Place", starring Ted Danson, concluded its run in January 2020.
2020: "The Good Place" Concludes
In January 2020, the NBC sitcom "The Good Place", in which Ted Danson starred as Michael, concluded its run.
2020: "Mr. Mayor" Premieres
Ted Danson's sitcom "Mr. Mayor" premiered on NBC as part of the 2020-2021 television season.
2021: "Mr. Mayor" Returns for Season Two
"Mr. Mayor", the NBC sitcom starring Ted Danson, returned for its second season in 2021.
2021: "Mr. Mayor" Premieres on NBC
The NBC situation comedy "Mr. Mayor", starring Ted Danson, premiered in 2021.
2022: "Mr. Mayor" Canceled by NBC
"Mr. Mayor", the NBC sitcom starring Ted Danson, was canceled after two seasons and ended in 2022.
2024: Potential End of Danson's Role in "Curb Your Enthusiasm"
If "Curb Your Enthusiasm" does not continue beyond its announced end date, 2024 will mark the end of Ted Danson's recurring role on the show.