Ted Danson American actor and producer Date of Birth: 29.12.1947 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Education
2. Television and Film Career
3. Environmental Activism
4. Personal Life
5. Political Involvement

Early Life and Education

Edward Bridge "Ted" Danson III was born on December 29, 1947, in San Diego, California, to Jessica and Edward Bridge Danson Jr., an archaeologist and museum director. In 1961, Danson attended Kent School, where he excelled in basketball. He developed an interest in drama while studying at Stanford University; Danson then transferred to Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, earning a BFA in Drama in 1968.

Television and Film Career

Danson began his television career as a contract player on the daytime soap opera "Somerset" from 1975 to 1976. He also appeared in commercials, most notably as the "Aramis man." Danson guest-starred in numerous television episodes in the late 1970s and early 1980s, including "Laverne and Shirley," "B.J. and the Bear," "Family," "Benson," "Taxi," and "Magnum, P.I."

In 1982, Danson rose to prominence as bartender Sam Malone in the sitcom "Cheers." The show ran from 1982 to 1993, earning Danson two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 1990 and 1993. Although primarily known for his comedic work, he also starred in the drama film "Something About Amelia," which dealt with the aftermath of incest.

After "Cheers" ended in 1993, Danson briefly starred alongside his wife, Mary Steenburgen, in the short-lived sitcom "Ink" (1996). The same year, he and Steenburgen co-starred in the television miniseries "Gulliver's Travels," which was a critical success. Danson went on to star in the successful sitcom "Becker" from 1998 to 2004. He also played himself in "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and reprised the role of Sam Malone in an episode of "Frasier," as well as voicing Malone in an episode of "The Simpsons."

Danson returned to television in 2006, playing a psychiatrist in the ABC sitcom "Help Me Help You," which was canceled due to low ratings. In the summer of 2007, Danson began starring in the FX Network drama "Damages" as corrupt billionaire/family man Arthur Frobisher.

Danson has also appeared in numerous films. His most famous movie roles include "Three Men and a Baby" with Tom Selleck and Steve Guttenberg, and its sequel "Three Men and a Little Lady." He has also starred in "The Onion Field" (marking his film debut as a bagpiper), "Body Heat," "Just Between Friends," "Getting Even with Dad," "Made in America," "Father of the Bride," and "Saving Private Ryan." In 2008, Danson starred in the Judd Apatow-produced comedy "Forgetting Sarah Marshall."

Environmental Activism

Danson is a longtime environmental advocate, having donated over $500,000 to conservation causes. He was first introduced to environmental issues by his father at the age of 12. Bill Breed, curator of the Museum of Northern Arizona, introduced Danson and his friend Mark Gaede to a game called "billboarding." Armed with an ax and a saw, Breed, Gaede, and Danson destroyed, or "terminated," over 500 advertising billboards and illegal birdhouses. (Gaede later went on to further this activity, which became known as "monkeywrenching".)

Danson's environmental activism continued, with a particular focus on oceans. He joined the American Oceans Campaign (now Oceana) in the 1980s and remains a member of its board of directors. In the late 1980s, Danson famously pledged to "save the oceans" within ten years, advocating for increased protections despite skepticism about the threat of man-made global warming.

Personal Life

Danson has been married three times. He was married to Randy Danson from 1970 to 1995. His second wife was Casey Coates, whom he married in 1977. Coates suffered a stroke after the birth of their first child in 1979, and Danson spent several years caring for her and working to rehabilitate her. They had two children together, including an adopted daughter. His divorce from Coates in 1993 was one of the most expensive in Hollywood history, costing Danson $25 million.

Danson's third wife, whom he remains married to, is actress Mary Steenburgen (married October 7, 1995). He is stepfather to her daughter Lily and son Charlie, whose biological father is actor Malcolm McDowell. In 2000, Danson and Steenburgen hosted actor Alexis Denisof for a year. On the September 27, 2007, episode of "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," Danson revealed that he follows a primarily vegetarian diet, although he occasionally eats fish.

Political Involvement

Danson has donated over $85,000 to Democratic candidates, including Al Gore, John Edwards, Barbara Boxer, Bill Clinton, Al Franken, and John Kerry. He has also contributed to the Arkansas Democratic Party and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Danson and his wife campaigned for Senator Hillary Clinton in 2008 during her run for the presidency.