History of Ted Danson in Timeline
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.
December 29, 1947: Ted Danson Born
On December 29, 1947, Edward Bridge Danson III was born in San Diego, California. He would later become a famous American actor.
1961: Enrollment at Kent School
In 1961, at the age of 14, Ted Danson enrolled at the Kent School, a university-preparatory school in Connecticut.
1970: Marriage to Randall Gosch
In 1970, Ted Danson married actress Randall "Randy" Gosch (known as Randy Danson).
1972: Graduation from Carnegie Mellon University
In 1972, Ted Danson graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a B.F.A. in Drama.
1975: Divorce from Randall Gosch
In 1975, Ted Danson and his first wife, Randall "Randy" Gosch (known as Randy Danson), divorced.
1975: Television Debut on Somerset
In 1975, Ted Danson began his television career as a contract player on the daytime soap opera Somerset, playing the role of Tom Conway.
1977: Marriage to Cassandra Coates
In 1977, Ted Danson married producer Cassandra "Casey" Coates.
1977: Role on The Doctors
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.
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: Cassandra Coates Suffers Stroke
On December 24, 1979, Ted Danson's second wife, Cassandra Coates, suffered a stroke while giving birth to their first daughter.
1982: Casting in Cheers
In 1982, Ted Danson was cast as Sam Malone in the NBC sitcom Cheers, a role that would bring him stardom.
1987: Breakout Film Role in Three Men and a Baby
In 1987, Ted Danson achieved a breakout film role in the comedy Three Men and a Baby.
December 15, 1988: Car accident that was written into Cheers
On December 15, 1988, Ted Danson was involved in a minor car accident, and the resulting bloody nose was written into a Cheers episode.
1988: Meeting Whoopi Goldberg
In late 1988, Ted Danson met actress Whoopi Goldberg on The Arsenio Hall Show.
1990: Teaming up for Help Save Planet Earth
In 1990, Ted Danson and Whoopi Goldberg appeared together in Help Save Planet Earth.
1991: Hosting Challenge of the Seas
In 1991, Ted Danson hosted the A&E television series "Challenge of the Seas", filming 26 one-hour episodes.
April 1992: Romantic Involvement with Whoopi Goldberg
In April 1992, while filming Made in America, Ted Danson and Whoopi Goldberg became romantically involved.
May 20, 1993: Cheers Series Finale
On May 20, 1993, the series finale of Cheers aired, watched by 80 million people.
October 8, 1993: Blackface Controversy at Friars Club Roast
On October 8, 1993, Ted Danson received negative press attention for wearing blackface at a Friars Club comedy roast in honor of Whoopi Goldberg.
1993: Divorce from Cassandra Coates
In 1993, Ted Danson divorced his second wife, Cassandra Coates, after an affair with Whoopi Goldberg; it was a costly divorce.
1993: Meeting Mary Steenburgen
In 1993, Ted Danson met actress Mary Steenburgen on the set of Pontiac Moon.
October 7, 1995: Marriage to Mary Steenburgen
On October 7, 1995, Ted Danson married actress Mary Steenburgen.
1995: Marriage to Mary Steenburgen
In 1995, Ted Danson married actress Mary Steenburgen.
1998: Starring in Becker
From 1998 to 2004, Ted Danson starred in the CBS sitcom Becker.
1999: Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
In 1999, Ted Danson received a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.
2001: Merger of American Oceans Campaign with Oceana
In 2001, the American Oceans Campaign, co-founded by Ted Danson, merged with Oceana, where he became a board member.
2004: End of Becker
In 2004, the CBS sitcom Becker, starring Ted Danson, concluded its run.
2006: Starring in Help Me Help You and SAG Nomination
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.
2007: Starring in Damages
In 2007, Ted Danson starred in the FX Network drama Damages as Arthur Frobisher, earning an Emmy nomination.
July 31, 2010: Attended Chelsea Clinton's Wedding
On July 31, 2010, Ted Danson attended the wedding of Bill and Hillary Clinton's daughter Chelsea.
March 2011: Publication of Oceana Book
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.
2011: Starring in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
From 2011 to 2015, Ted Danson starred in the CBS drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation as D.B. Russell.
2011: Appearance in Beastie Boys Music Video
In 2011, Ted Danson appeared in the music video for "Make Some Noise" by the Beastie Boys, and was mentioned in the song's lyrics.
2011: Publication of Oceana
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.
2015: Starring in CSI: Cyber
In 2015 and 2016, Ted Danson starred in the CBS drama CSI: Cyber, a spin-off of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
2015: Appearance in Fargo
In 2015, Ted Danson appeared in the second season of the TV show Fargo, portraying Sheriff Hank Larsson.
2015: End of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
In 2015, Ted Danson left CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
October 3, 2016: Attended Hillary Clinton's Campaign Office Opening
On October 3, 2016, Ted Danson attended the opening of Hillary Clinton's new campaign office in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
2016: Starring in The Good Place
From 2016 to 2020, Ted Danson starred opposite Kristen Bell in the NBC sitcom The Good Place, earning numerous award nominations and wins.
October 25, 2019: Arrest at Climate Change Protest
On October 25, 2019, Ted Danson was arrested along with Jane Fonda at a climate-change protest in Washington, D.C.
2020: End of The Good Place
In 2020, Ted Danson finished his performance on the NBC sitcom The Good Place.
2021: Starring in Mr. Mayor
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.
2022: End of Mr. Mayor
In 2022, Ted Danson finished his performance on the NBC sitcom Mr. Mayor.
June 2024: Donations to Democratic candidates
As of June 2024, Ted Danson has donated over $177,000 to Democratic candidates and PACs.
2024: Starring in A Man on the Inside
In 2024, Ted Danson started in the leading role of Charles in the Netflix comedy series, A Man on the Inside.
2025: Recipient of the Carol Burnett Award
In 2025, Ted Danson was awarded the Carol Burnett Award, recognizing his contributions to television.
