Ted Danson Biography: Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Movies, TV Shows & Full Wiki
Welcome to the complete Ted Danson Biography, offering an in-depth look into the life, career, and personal milestones of one of Hollywood’s most beloved screen icons. Famous for his landmark role as Sam Malone on the classic sitcom Cheers, as well as hit series like Becker, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and The Good Place, Ted Danson has maintained a legendary career spanning over five decades. In this detailed Ted Danson Biography, we explore his early childhood, educational background, physical stats, relationships, career highlights, net worth, and environmental advocacy.
Quick Wiki & Biography Overview
| Parameter | Details |
| Real Name | Edward Bridge Danson III |
| Famous As | Ted Danson |
| Date of Birth | December 29, 1947 |
| Age | 78 Years Old |
| Birthplace | San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian (English, Scottish ancestry) |
| Profession | Actor, Producer, Environmentalist, Author |
| Height | 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) |
| Weight | ~82 kg (180 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Gray / White (formerly dark brown) |
| Education | Stanford University, Carnegie Mellon University (BFA) |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Current Spouse | Mary Steenburgen (m. 1995) |
| Children | Kate Danson, Alexis Danson |
| Estimated Net Worth | $80 Million |
| Instagram Account | teddanson |
Early Life and Family Background
Understanding the roots of the star is essential to any complete Ted Danson Biography. Edward Bridge Danson III was born on December 29, 1947, in San Diego, California. His father, Edward Bridge “Ned” Danson Jr., was a distinguished anthropologist, archaeologist, and museum director who headed the Museum of Northern Arizona. His mother, Jessica Harriet MacMaster, was an archaeologist.
Ted grew up primarily in Flagstaff, Arizona, where he developed an early affinity for the outdoors and nature. His upbringing instilled a strong appreciation for social awareness and environmental stewardship. He attended the Kent School in Connecticut during his high school years, where he was a star high school basketball player due to his impressive height.
Education and Academic Journey
No Ted Danson Biography is complete without highlighting his shift from athletics to performing arts during his college years.
- Stanford University: Ted originally enrolled at Stanford University in California. While at Stanford, he joined the drama program and quickly discovered a passion for acting over sports.
- Carnegie Mellon University: Realizing that he wanted to pursue acting professionally, Danson transferred to the prestigious Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Drama in 1972.
After finishing his education, he relocated to New York and later Los Angeles to study and teach drama at the Actors Institute, laying the groundwork for his future in television and film.
Ted Danson Age, Height, and Physical Statistics
Fans exploring this Ted Danson Biography often ask about his age, height, and physical characteristics.
- Age: Born in December 1947, Ted Danson is 78 years old.
- Height: Standout height has been a hallmark of his screen presence—he stands tall at 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm).
- Weight: Approximately 82 kg (180 lbs).
- Physical Traits: Recognized for his trademark charming smile, silver-white hair, blue eyes, and towering frame.
Acting Career: From Daytime Soaps to Primetime Royalty
The core section of this Ted Danson Biography details his rise from minor television commercials to becoming one of the highest-paid actors in television history.
Early Roles (1975–1981)
Danson began his acting career as a contract player on the soap opera Somerset (1975–1976), playing Tom Conway. He also made guest appearances on daytime series like The Doctors and famous 1970s shows including Laverne & Shirley, Taxi, Magnum, P.I., and B.J. and the Bear. His feature film debut came in 1979 in the crime drama The Onion Field.
The Breakthrough: Cheers (1982–1993)
In 1982, Danson landed the role that transformed his career: playboy bartender and former relief pitcher Sam Malone in NBC’s legendary comedy series Cheers.
- Cheers ran for 11 seasons and 275 episodes, concluding with a finale watched by an astonishing 80 million viewers.
- For his portrayal of Sam Malone, Danson earned 11 consecutive Emmy Award nominations, winning twice, along with two Golden Globe Awards.
Film Success and Mid-Career Hit: Becker (1998–2004)
During and after Cheers, Danson scored massive film successes, most notably in the comedy classic Three Men and a Baby (1987) alongside Tom Selleck and Steve Guttenberg, as well as its 1990 sequel Three Men and a Little Lady. He also appeared in Steven Spielberg’s award-winning film Saving Private Ryan (1998).
From 1998 to 2004, Danson scored another primetime TV hit as Dr. John Becker in the CBS comedy series Becker.
Modern Television Dominance: CSI, The Good Place & A Man on the Inside
Rather than slowing down, Danson continually evolved:
- Damages (2007–2010): Earned critical praise and Emmy nominations playing corporate villain Arthur Frobisher.
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2011–2015): Starred as D.B. Russell, leading the hit procedural drama.
- The Good Place (2016–2020): Played Michael, an afterlife architect, starring opposite Kristen Bell. The role brought him multiple Emmy nominations and universal critical praise.
- Recent Works: Guest-starred as himself in Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000–2024) and starred in Netflix’s comedy series A Man on the Inside.
Notable Filmography & Television Works
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
| 1979 | The Onion Field | Det. Ian Campbell | Movie |
| 1981 | Body Heat | Peter Lowenstein | Movie |
| 1982–1993 | Cheers | Sam Malone | TV Series |
| 1987 | Three Men and a Baby | Jack Holden | Movie |
| 1990 | Three Men and a Little Lady | Jack Holden | Movie |
| 1998 | Saving Private Ryan | Capt. Fred Hamill | Movie |
| 1998–2004 | Becker | Dr. John Becker | TV Series |
| 2007–2010 | Damages | Arthur Frobisher | TV Series |
| 2011–2015 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | D.B. Russell | TV Series |
| 2016–2020 | The Good Place | Michael | TV Series |
| 2021–2022 | Mr. Mayor | Neil Bremer | TV Series |
| 2024–Present | A Man on the Inside | Charles | TV Series |
Personal Life: Spouses, Relationships, and Family
A vital element of this Ted Danson Biography is his personal life and family history.
Marriages
- Randall Gosch (m. 1970 – div. 1975): Ted married actress Randall Gosch in 1970, but the couple divorced after five years.
- Cassandra Coates (m. 1977 – div. 1993): In 1977, Danson married producer Cassandra Coates. In 1979, Coates suffered a stroke while giving birth to their daughter Kate. Danson spent years caring for her during recovery. They later adopted a second daughter, Alexis. Their divorce was finalized in 1993.
- Mary Steenburgen (m. 1995 – Present): Ted met Academy Award-winning actress Mary Steenburgen on the set of the film Pontiac Moon in 1993. The couple married on October 7, 1995. Their long marriage is widely considered one of Hollywood’s most enduring and successful partnerships.
Children and Stepchildren
- Daughters: Kate Danson (b. 1979) and Alexis Danson.
- Stepchildren: Charlie McDowell and Lilly McDowell (from Mary Steenburgen’s previous marriage to Malcolm McDowell).
Environmental Activism & Ocean Conservation
In any comprehensive Ted Danson Biography, his devotion to marine protection deserves spotlighting.
Danson became an avid environmental advocate in the late 1980s. He co-founded the American Oceans Campaign in 1987, which later merged with Oceana in 2001, where he remains a board member. In 2011, he co-authored the book Oceana: Our Endangered Oceans and What We Can Do to Save Them with journalist Michael D’Orso to promote global ocean protection awareness.
Awards and Accomplishments
| Award / Honor | Category / Note | Count / Result |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (Cheers) | Won (2 Times) |
| Golden Globe Awards | Best Actor – Television Series Musical/Comedy | Won (3 Times) |
| Hollywood Walk of Fame | Star at 7021 Hollywood Blvd | Awarded 1999 |
| Carol Burnett Award | Lifetime Achievement in Television | Received 2025 |
| Bob Hope Humanitarian Award | Presented with Mary Steenburgen | Awarded 2025 |
Net Worth and Financial Success
As highlighted throughout this Ted Danson Biography, his extended tenure in major network sitcoms made him a massive financial success. At the peak of Cheers, Danson was earning $500,000 per episode, making him the highest-paid actor on television at the time. His current estimated net worth is $80 Million, boosted by continuous backend syndication royalties and starring TV roles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the primary focus of this Ted Danson Biography?
This Ted Danson Biography provides complete information on the life, career, age, height, marriages, accomplishments, and net worth of American actor Ted Danson.
How old is Ted Danson?
Ted Danson was born on December 29, 1947, making him 78 years old.
Who is Ted Danson’s current wife?
Ted Danson has been married to Oscar-winning actress Mary Steenburgen since October 1995.
What is Ted Danson’s net worth?
Ted Danson has an estimated net worth of $80 million.
How tall is Ted Danson?
Ted Danson stands 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) tall.
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