Ted Danson, who is 78 years old, has shared some interesting reflections on his time on the iconic TV show Cheers. In a recent episode of his podcast titled “Where Everybody Knows Your Name,” he opened up about how he initially struggled to comprehend why women found him attractive.
During the conversation, guest Lisa Ann Walter, known for her role in Abbott Elementary, asked Danson, “What happened when you figured out what a hottie you were?” His response was both humorous and revealing. He said, “I won’t go back too far because it’s not necessary, but I was the guy who literally I would be, the woman would be standing opposite me naked and I’d be going ‘What?’ I’d look over my shoulder and be like, ‘You mean me?’ Literally, it took me until the second year of Cheers when I decided, ‘You know what? Keep your mouth shut, Ted.’”
The Challenge of Accepting Compliments
Danson also spoke about how he used to react when people complimented him. He mentioned that whenever someone would say something like, “you’re so s– and so funny,” he would often feel the need to fight back. However, he quickly caught himself, saying, “I’d have to swallow it.”
He explained that the reason he received such compliments was partly due to the casting choices on Cheers. “The show hired very s–y-looking women to look at Sam Malone and go, ‘Wow, he’s s—.’” Danson admitted that he eventually learned to keep his mouth shut and accept the praise without overthinking it.
The Legacy of Cheers
Cheers ran from 1982 to 1993 and featured a stellar cast including Rhea Perlman, George Wendt, John Ratzenberger, Woody Harrelson, Kirstie Alley, and Kelsey Grammer. The sitcom, set in a Boston bar, became a cultural phenomenon and is still remembered for its humor and character-driven storytelling.
Danson left the show after 11 seasons, which ended when executives canceled it. He shared that he was looking for new opportunities and felt it was the right time to move on. “I was changing for the better and working really hard at that, so I thought, ‘Might as well jump completely off the cliff,’” he said during an August 2025 podcast episode. “And [there was] a little bit of … ‘If I don’t leave now, I may not know if I could do anything else, and I want to see if I can do any other stuff.’”
Life After Cheers
After leaving Cheers, Danson continued to build a successful career in television and film. He married actress Mary Steenburgen in 1995, and the couple had two children: Kate Danson, who is 46, and Alexis Danson, who is 40. Their marriage lasted from 1977 to 1993.
Danson has appeared in several notable films, including Saving Private Ryan (1998) and Mad Money (2008), starring alongside Katie Holmes, Diane Keaton, and Queen Latifah. He also starred in the TV series Becker (1998–2004) and The Good Place (2016–2020).
Throughout his career, Danson has remained a beloved figure in Hollywood. His journey from Cheers to various other projects showcases his versatility as an actor and his ability to adapt to different roles.
Fans of Danson continue to admire his work, and his candid reflections on his past experiences add depth to his public persona. Whether on screen or in interviews, he remains a compelling presence in the entertainment industry.
