Ted Danson
Born 1947 · Age 78
American film and television actor and ocean-conservation activist, best known for playing Sam Malone on Cheers; two-time Emmy winner and long-time environmental campaigner.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in San Diego, California
Edward Bridge Danson III born to Jessica (MacMaster) Danson and Edward Bridge Danson Jr.
Raised in Flagstaff, Arizona
Family moved/raised in Flagstaff; father worked as an anthropology professor and museum director.
Childhood environmental activism — billboard removals
As ~11–12-year-old, Danson and friends cut down highway billboards they considered eyesores.
Graduated Kent School (CT)
Completed secondary education at Kent School (reported graduation year 1966).
Enrolled at Stanford University
Attended Stanford University and developed interest in drama during sophomore year.
First daytime TV appearance (Somerset)
Early screen appearance on the daytime soap Somerset (reported in some biographies).
Understudy in Off-Broadway production
Hired as an understudy in Tom Stoppard's Off-Broadway production of The Real Inspector Hound after graduation.
Transferred to and graduated Carnegie Mellon (BFA in Drama)
Transferred to Carnegie Mellon University and received a bachelor of fine arts degree in drama in 1972.
TV small role: The Doctors
Appeared in the daytime/medical soap The Doctors (mid-1970s appearances 1975–77).
Moved to Los Angeles; Actor's Institute (study & teaching)
Relocated to Los Angeles; studied with Dan Fauci and taught classes at the Actor's Institute.
Film debut: The Onion Field
Made his film debut in the crime drama The Onion Field (credited in late-1970s sources as his debut).
TV/film guest roles increase
Small TV roles in The Amazing Spider-Man, B.J. and the Bear and other shows late 1970s.
TV guest role: Laverne & Shirley
Guest appearance on Laverne & Shirley (around 1980).
Film role: Body Heat
Appeared in the film Body Heat (1981), a notable early film credit.
Film role: Creepshow
Featured in George A. Romero's Creepshow (1982).
Cast as Sam Malone on Cheers (breakout role)
Landed the lead role of bartender Sam Malone on NBC sitcom Cheers; career breakthrough.
Cheers premiere
Cheers premiered on NBC; Danson starred as the central character.
Activism: Stopped proposed oil wells near Santa Monica
Teamed with lawyer/activist Robert Sulnick to stop oil-well construction along the Santa Monica coast.
Golden Globe Award for Something About Amelia
Won Golden Globe for his portrayal in the television movie Something About Amelia (1984).
Produced When the Bough Breaks (TV)
Made his debut as a television producer with When the Bough Breaks (1986), also starring in it.
Founded American Oceans Campaign (co-founder)
Co-founded the American Oceans Campaign with Robert Sulnick to advocate for ocean protections.
Breakout film: Three Men and a Baby
Starred in Three Men and a Baby, the year's biggest box-office hit (reported ~$240M worldwide).
Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Lead Actor (Cheers)
Won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Cheers.
Golden Globe for Cheers (Best Actor in Comedy Series)
Received Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Comedy Series (Cheers).
Film sequel: Three Men and a Little Lady
Appeared in the sequel to Three Men and a Baby, released 1990.
Second Golden Globe for Cheers
Won an additional Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series for Cheers.
Left Cheers; series finale
Decided to end his tenure on Cheers after 11 seasons; the series finale drew ~80.4 million viewers.
Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Lead Actor (second win)
Won a second Primetime Emmy for his work on Cheers (1993).
Film: Getting Even with Dad (salary reported)
Starred in Getting Even with Dad (1994); reported salary for the film circa $4,000,000.
Began relationship with Mary Steenburgen
Reported to have begun a romantic relationship with actress Mary Steenburgen in 1994.
Married Mary Steenburgen
Married actress Mary Steenburgen (the couple later collaborated as co-executive producers).
Executive produced and starred in Ink (CBS)
Co-starred with Mary Steenburgen and served as executive producers on the comedy series Ink (1996–97).
Starred in miniseries Gulliver's Travels
Appeared with Mary Steenburgen in the television miniseries Gulliver's Travels (1996).
Cameo in Saving Private Ryan
Made a cameo appearance in Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan (1998).
Lead role on Becker (CBS)
Began starring as Dr. John Becker in the sitcom Becker (1998–2004).
Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (ceremony date 11/10/1999).
Began recurring/ongoing role on Curb Your Enthusiasm
Started recurring appearances on Larry David's HBO comedy Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000–2024 appearances).
American Oceans Campaign merges into Oceana
The American Oceans Campaign (which he co-founded) merged with the conservation organization Oceana.
Emmy nomination for Damages
Received Emmy nomination(s) for his work on the FX legal drama Damages (series ran 2007–2010).
Starred in HBO comedy Bored to Death
Played a leading/supporting role in Bored to Death (2009–2011).
Joined CSI: Crime Scene Investigation as D.B. Russell
Became a lead on CSI (2011–2015) as D.B. Russell; reported salary circa $250,000 per episode (2013–2014 reported).
Publication: Oceana: Our Endangered Oceans
Co-wrote Oceana: Our Endangered Oceans and What We Can Do to Save Them with journalist Michael D'Orso (book published 2011).
Appeared across CSI franchise (CSI: NY, CSI: Cyber)
Guest/recurring appearances in CSI spinoffs (2013 onward) and later joined CSI: Cyber (2015–2016).
Starred in Fargo (Season 2)
Appeared as a starring/major role in the second season of FX's Fargo (2015).
Cast as Michael on The Good Place
Began starring as Michael, the architect of the afterlife neighborhood, on NBC's The Good Place (2016–2020).
Emmy nominations for The Good Place
Received Emmy nominations for his work on The Good Place (series ran 2016–2020).
Ranked by TV Guide among top television stars
Reported ranking second in TV Guide's list of the top 25 television stars (reported in career summaries).
Starred in Mr. Mayor
Lead role on NBC sitcom Mr. Mayor (2021–2022).
Cast in Netflix comedy A Man on the Inside
Starred in the Netflix comedy A Man on the Inside (2024–present).
Curb Your Enthusiasm recurring appearances continue
Continued recurring role/appearances on Curb Your Enthusiasm through the show's run (2000–2024).
Recipient: Carol Burnett Award
Reported recipient of the 2025 Carol Burnett Award (career achievement in television).
Reported: Tapped for Bob Hope Humanitarian Award (with Mary Steenburgen)
News reported both Danson and Mary Steenburgen were tapped for the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award (reported July 30, 2025).
Key Achievement Ages
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