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Ted Danson

Acting

Born December 29, 1947 · San Diego, California, USA

Also known as Edward Bridge “Ted” Danson III

Biography

Edward Bridge “Ted” Danson III (born December 29, 1947) is an American actor best known for his role as central character Sam Malone in the sitcom Cheers, and his role as Dr. John Becker on the series Becker. He also plays a recurring role on Larry David's HBO sitcom Curb Your Enthusiasm, starred alongside Glenn Close in legal drama Damages and is now a regular on the HBO comedy series Bored to Death. In his thirty-year career, Danson has been nominated for fourteen 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. Description above from the Wikipedia article Ted Danson, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Awards & recognition

  • honorary doctor of Carnegie-Mellon University · 2018
  • Primetime Emmy AwardOutstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series · 1993
  • Primetime Emmy AwardOutstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series · 1990
  • star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Filmography50+ titles

Starring Dick Van Dyke

2025as Self

Fargo

2014as Sheriff Hank Larsson

Saving Private Ryan

1998as Captain Hamill

The Good Place

2016as Michael

Curb Your Enthusiasm

2000as Ted Danson

The Simpsons

1989as Sam Malone (voice)

Dick Van Dyke: 98 Years of Magic

2023as Self

Frasier

1993as Sam Malone

The Orville

2017as Admiral Perry

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

2000as D.B. Russell

Cheers

1982as Sam Malone

Brain Games

2011as Self

Damages

2007as Arthur Frobisher

A Man on the Inside

2024as Charles Nieuwendyk

King of the Hill

1997as Tom Hammond (voice)

Bored to Death

2009as George Christopher

American Masters

1986as Self - Interviewee

Magnum, P.I.

1980as Stewart Crane

Taxi

1978as Vincenzo Senaca

Conan

2010as Self - Guest

Waking Sleeping Beauty

2009as Jack Holden (archive footage)

Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!

2007as Little Danson Man

Becker

1998as Dr. John Becker

Gulliver's Travels

1996as Lemuel Gulliver

Laverne & Shirley

1976

Family

1976

Monty Python: Live at Aspen

1998as Audience Member (uncredited)

Mad TV

1995as Self

Diagnosis: Murder

1993as Ted Danson

American Dad!

2005as Dr. Ray Petit (voice)

Body Heat

1981as Peter Lowenstein

The One I Love

2014as Therapist

Good Mythical Morning

2012as Self

The Colbert Report

2005as Self - Guest

Creepshow

1982as Harry Wentworth (segment "Something To Tide You Over")

Saturday Night Live

1975as Self (uncredited)

Hearts Beat Loud

2018as Dave

Best Summer Ever

2020Executive Producer

Big Miracle

2012as J. W. McGraw

Mr. Mayor

2021as Mayor Neil Bremer

Inside Comedy

2012as Self

Ted

2012as Ted Danson (uncredited)

The End of the Line

2009as Narrator (voice)

Mad Money

2008as Don Cardigan

Mumford

1999as Jeremy Brockett

The Kelly Clarkson Show

2019as Self - Guest

Finding Your Roots

2012as Self

The Daily Show

1996as Self

Dad

1989as John Tremont

When the Bough Breaks

1986as Alex