Ted Danson Biography

Edward Bridge "Ted" Danson III (born December 29, 1947) is an American actor, author and producer, well known for his role as lead character Sam Malone in the sitcom Cheers, and his role as Dr. John Becker on the series Becker. He is currently starring in the CBS drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. He also plays a recurring role on Larry David's HBO sitcom Curb Your Enthusiasm, starred alongside Glenn Close in legal drama Damages and was a regular on the HBO comedy series Bored to Death.

In his 30-year career, Danson has been nominated for 15 Primetime Emmy Awards, winning two; ten Golden Globe Awards nominations, winning three; one Screen Actors Guild Awards nomination; one American Comedy Award and a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. He was ranked second in TV Guide's list of the top 25 television stars. Danson has also been a longtime activist in ocean conservation. In March 2011, he published his first book, Oceana: Our Endangered Oceans And What We Can Do To Save Them, written with journalist Michael D'Orso.

Early life

Danson was born in San Diego, California, the son of Jess Danson (née MacMaster) and Edward Bridge Danson, Jr., an archaeologist and museum director and raised in Flagstaff, Arizona.

In 1961, he enrolled in the Kent School, where he was a basketball star. He became interested in drama while attending Stanford University. He transferred to Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in drama, in 1972.

Danson stated in an interview with Craig Ferguson that he is of Scottish descent.

Career

Television

Early career

Danson began his television career as a contract player on daytime soap opera, Somerset. He played the role of "Tom Conway" from 1975 to 1976. He was also in a number of commercials, most recognizably as the "Aramis man".

He made a number of guest appearances in episodic television in the late 1970s and early 1980s, including spots on Laverne and Shirley; B.J. and the Bear; Family; Benson; Taxi; Magnum P.I.; and Tucker's Witch.

Career breakthrough: Cheers

In 1982, Danson was cast, in his most recognizable role, as the womanizing former baseball player and bartender Sam Malone on the NBC sitcom Cheers, who has on-and-off relationship with college-educated, sophisticated Diane Chambers. Though the show finished last in the ratings in the first season, it was well received by critics and ratings slowly but surely improved in 1983 and by 1986, Cheers was one of the top ten shows on TV. The show had a run of 11 seasons and its finale (May 20, 1993) was watched by 80 million people, becoming the second most watched finale in television history. It won four Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series and a Golden Globe for Best Series " Musical or Comedy. The show ran from 1982 to 1993, with Danson receiving 11 consecutive Emmy nominations and nine Golden Globe Awards, ultimately winning two Emmys and two Golden Globes. In 2002, TV Guide named Cheers the 18th Greatest Show of All Time. It was also included in Time Magazine's 100 Greatest Shows of All Time.

Danson also appeared as Sam Malone in guest-starring roles on other sitcoms, such as Frasier (a Cheers spin-off), The Jim Henson Hour, and The Simpsons.

Later career

Danson went on to star in the successful CBS sitcom Becker (produced by Paramount Television, which also produced Cheers), which ran from 1998"2004. Danson also plays himself on Curb Your Enthusiasm. He reprised his role of "Sam Malone" in a second season episode of Frasier and voiced him in The Simpsons episode "Fear of Flying".

Although he was best known for his work in comedy, he also appeared in an acclaimed drama, Something About Amelia, about a family devastated by the repercussions of incest, which co-starred his later co-star on Damages, Glenn Close. He won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie and was nominated for an Emmy Award. In 1996, three years after Cheers concluded, Danson starred in the short-lived CBS sitcom Ink with his real-life wife Mary Steenburgen. In the same year, they starred as Lemuel Gulliver and his wife in an acclaimed television miniseries of Gulliver's Travels.

Danson returned to series television in the fall of 2006, playing a psychiatrist in the ABC sitcom Help Me Help You, which was canceled at midseason due to low ratings.

In 2006, Danson received a nomination for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries for his role in Knights of the South Bronx.

In 2007, Danson starred in the FX Network drama Damages as a corrupt billionaire, Arthur Frobisher. The role earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, but lost to co-star ?eljko Ivanek. In the second season, Danson became a recurring character instead of one of the principal cast. Nevertheless, Danson received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series, but lost to Michael J. Fox for his guest appearance in Rescue Me.

In 1999, Danson was presented a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.

In 2011, Danson appeared in the music video for "Make Some Noise" by the Beastie Boys. He is also mentioned in the song's lyrics.

Danson starred in the HBO comedy series, Bored to Death, playing George Christopher, the laconic, salubrious and sometime downright infantile editor of Edition magazine. Critics often praised Danson as being the highlight of the program, calling his character a "scene-stealer".

In July 2011, it was announced that Danson would star in CBS's CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. He plays D.B. Russell, a new graveyard shift supervisor who previously headed a crime lab in Seattle, Washington. Tony Shalhoub (a regular on Cheers sister series Wings), Robin Williams and John Lithgow were also considered for the role.

Film

Danson has also been featured in numerous films. His most notable film appearances were in Three Men and a Baby with Tom Selleck and Steve Guttenberg, its sequel Three Men and a Little Lady, and Cousins with Isabella Rossellini. He also appeared in The Onion Field (his first film, as the bagpipe playing Officer Ian Campbell), Creepshow, Body Heat, Little Treasure, Just Between Friends, A Fine Mess, Dad, Made in America, Getting Even with Dad, and Saving Private Ryan.

Personal life

Danson and his first wife, actress Randall "Randy" Gosch (now professionally known as Randy Danson), were married in 1970 and divorced in 1975. Danson's second wife was producer Cassandra "Casey" Coates; the couple were married in 1977. On December 24, 1979, while giving birth to their first daughter Kate, Coates suffered a stroke, and Danson spent several years caring for her and helping her recuperate. The couple later adopted a second daughter Alexis. Danson's affair with actress Whoopi Goldberg led to their divorce in 1993. It was one of Hollywood's costliest divorces, reportedly costing Danson $30 million.

Danson later married actress Mary Steenburgen, on October 7, 1995. He is stepfather to her daughter, Lilly, and son, Charles, who are the children of Steenburgen's ex-husband actor Malcolm McDowell.

Danson adheres to a vegan diet for both health and ethical reasons.

Controversy

Danson experienced substantial negative press attention on October 8, 1993 after his appearance in blackface at a Friar's Club comedy roast in honor of then-girlfriend Whoopi Goldberg. In his monologue, Danson made extensive use of offensive racial stereotypes, used the word "nigger" more than a dozen times, and ate a watermelon, angering such guests as Montel Williams and Mayor David Dinkins. Goldberg defended the sketch, explaining that she had helped write much of the material and referred Danson to the makeup artist who painted his face. Danson and Goldberg issued statements emphasizing "the Friars Club tradition of raucous and over the top humor" and describing those offended as newcomers who "were uncomfortable with what to expect." Substantial excerpts from the performance were later printed in Spy.

Environmentalism

Danson's interest in environmental concerns was ignited when he was twelve years old and Bill Breed, then a curator at the Museum of Northern Arizona, introduced Danson and friend Marc Gaede to a game he referred to as "billboarding". Armed with an axe and saw, Breed, Gaede, and Danson ended up destroying over 300 outdoor advertising signs.

Danson's interest in environmentalism continued over the years, and he began to be concerned with the state of the world's oceans. In 1988, he said we had 10 years to save the oceans or we would pay the consequences, which would be death. In the 1980s, he was a contributing founder of the American Oceans Campaigns, which merged with Oceana in 2001, where Danson is a board member.

In March 2011, Danson published his first book, Oceana: Our Endangered Oceans And What We Can Do To Save Them, written with journalist Michael D'Orso.

Political activism

Danson is a friend of former United States President Bill Clinton, who attended Danson and Mary Steenburgen's wedding. Danson has donated more than $85,000 to Democratic candidates, including Al Gore, John Edwards, Barbara Boxer, Bill Clinton, Al Franken, and John Kerry. He has also donated to the Democratic Party of Arkansas and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Danson and Steenburgen campaigned for Sen. Hillary Clinton during her 2008 Presidential campaign. He attended the wedding of their daughter Chelsea on July 31, 2010.

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1979	The Onion Field	Det. Ian James Campbell
1981	Body Heat	Peter Lowenstein
1982	Creepshow	Harry Wentworth
1985	Little Treasure	Eugene Wilson
1986	Just Between Friends	Chip Davis
1986	A Fine Mess	Spence Holden
1987	Three Men and a Baby	Jack Holden
1989	Cousins	Larry
1989	Dad	John Tremont	Nominated"?American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
1990	Three Men and a Little Lady	Jack Holden
1993	Made in America	Hal Jackson
1994	Getting Even with Dad	Raymond Gleason
1994	Pontiac Moon	Washington Bellamy
1996	Loch Ness	Dempsey
1998	Jerry and Tom	Guy
1998	Homegrown	Gianni Saletzzo
1998	Saving Private Ryan	Captain Hammill
1999	Mumford	Jeremy Brockett
2004	Fronterz	Unknown
2007	Nobel Son	Harvey Parrish
2007	The Amateurs	Moose
2008	Mad Money	Don Cardigan
2008	The Human Contract	E.J. Winters
2009	The Open Road	Coach
2012	Big Miracle	J.W. McGrath
2012	Ted	Ted Danson	Uncredited

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1975"1976	Somerset	Tim Conway #2	Unknown episodes
1979	The Amazing Spider-Man	Major Collings	2 episodes
1979	Columbo	Richard Dellinger	Episode: "Ladies of the Afternoon"
1979	Trooper John, M.D.	Inured Man	Episode: "Love Is a Three-Way Street"
1979	The French Atlantic Affair	Assistant	Television movie
1979	B. J. and the Bear	Tom Spencer	Episode: "Silent Night, Unholy Night"
1980	Laverne & Shirley	Randy Carpenter	Episode: "Why Did the Fireman..."
1980	Family	David Bartels	Episode: "Daylight Serenade"
1980	The Women's Room	Norman	Television movie
1980	Once Upon a Spy	Jack Chenault	Television movie
1981	Benson	Dan	2 episodes
1981	Magnum, P.I.	Stewart Crane	Episode: "Don't Say Goodbye"
1981	Dear Teacher	Steve Goodwin	Television movie
1981	Our Family Business	Gep	Television movie
1982	Taxi	Vincenzo Senaca	Episode: "The Unkindest Cut"
1982"1993	Cheers	Sam Malone	275 episodes American Comedy Award for Funniest Male Performer in a Television Series] Golden Globe Award for Best Actor " Television Series Musical or Comedy (1990"91) Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (1990, 1993) Nominated"?American Comedy Award for Funniest Male Performer in a Television Series (1989"90) Nominated"?Golden Globe Award for Best Actor " Television Series Musical or Comedy (1984"95, 1987, 1989, 1992"93) Nominated"?People's Choice Award for Favorite Male TV Performer (1985, 1988"93) Nominated"?Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (1984"89, 1991"92)
1983	Cowboy	Dale Weeks	Television movie
1984	Something About Amelia	Steven Bennett	Television movie Golden Globe Award for Best Actor " Miniseries or Television Film Nominated"?Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie
1986	When the Bough Breaks	Alex	Television movie
1987	We Are the Children	Unknown	Television movie
1989	The Jim Henson Hour	Himself	Episode: "Aquatic Life"
1994	The Simpsons	Sam Malone	Episode: "Fear of Flying"
1995	Frasier	Sam Malone	Episode: "The Show Where Sam Shows Up"
1996"1997	Ink	Mike Logan	22 episodes
1996	Gulliver's Travels	Lemuel Gulliver	Television movie Nominated"?Satellite Award for Best Actor " Miniseries or Television Film
1998"2004	Becker	Dr. John Becker	129 episodes Nominated"?Golden Globe Award for Best Actor " Television Series Musical or Comedy Nominated"?Satellite Award for Best Actor " Television Series Musical or Comedy
1998	Veronica's Closet	Nick Vanover	Episode: "Veronica's $600,000 Pop"
1998	Thanks of a Grateful Nation	Jim Tuite	Television movie
2000	Search for Atlantis	Himself	Television movie
2000"2009	Curb Your Enthusiasm	Ted Danson	13 episodes
2002	Living with the Dead	James Van Praagh	Television movie Nominated"?Satellite Award for Best Actor " Miniseries or Television Film
2004	It Must Be Love	George Gazelle	Television movie
2005	Our Fathers	Mitchell Garabedian	Television movie Nominated"?Satellite Award for Best Actor " Miniseries or Television Film
2005	Knights of the South Bronx	Richard	Television movie Nominated"?Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie
2006"2007	Help Me Help You	Dr. Bill Hoffman	14 episodes Nominated"?Satellite Award for Best Actor " Television Series Musical or Comedy
2006	Heist	Tom	2 episodes
2007"2010	Damages	Arthur Frobisher	23 episodes Nominated"?Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor " Series, Miniseries or Television Film Nominated"?Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series (2009"10) Nominated"?Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
2008	King of the Hill	Tom Hammond	Episode: "The Accidental Terrorist"
2009"2011	Bored to Death	George Christopher	24 episodes
2010	Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!	Little Danson Man	Episode: "Greene Machine"
2011"present	CSI: Crime Scene Investigation	D.B. Russell	44 episodes
2013	CSI: NY	D.B. Russell	Episode: "Seth and Apep"

Awards and nominations

Awards

Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

• 1990 " Cheers
• 1993 " Cheers

Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

• 1985 " Something About Amelia

Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series " Comedy or Musical

• 1990 " Cheers
• 1991 " Cheers

Nominations

Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

• 1983 " Cheers
• 1984 " Cheers
• 1985 " Cheers
• 1986 " Cheers
• 1987 " Cheers
• 1988 " Cheers
• 1989 " Cheers
• 1990 " Cheers
• 1991 " Cheers
• 1992 " Cheers
• 1993 " Cheers

Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special

• 1984 " Something About Amelia

Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

• 2008 " Damages

Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series

• 2009 " Damages
• 2010 " Damages

Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series " Comedy or Musical

• 1984 " Cheers
• 1985 " Cheers
• 1987 " Cheers
• 1989 " Cheers
• 1990 " Cheers
• 1991 " Cheers
• 1992 " Cheers
• 1993 " Cheers
• 2001 " Becker

Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

• 2008 " Damages

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries

• 2006 " Knights of the South Bronx