Ted Danson is well known for his role as Sam Malone in the television series Cheers. During the show's 12-year run, he was nominated nine times for an Emmy Award as Best Actor in a Comedy Series and won twice, in 1990 and 1993. The role also earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series in 1989 and 1990. He and his wife, actress Mary Steenburgen, starred in and were executive producers of the CBS comedy series Ink.

In 1984, Danson received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his performance in the television movie _Something About Amelia (1984) (TV)_ , in which he starred opposite Glenn Close. He also starred opposite Lee Remick in The Women's Room. In 1986, he made his debut as a television producer with When the Bough Breaks, in which he also starred. He later starred in the mini-series Gulliver's Travels and Thanks of a Grateful Nation. Danson's numerous feature film credits include The Onion Field, in which he made his debut as Officer Ian Campbell, Body Heat, Three Men and a Baby, 3 Men and a Little Lady, Cousins, Dad, Made in America, Saving Private Ryan, Mumford, and Jerry and Tom.

Danson was raised just outside Flagstaff, Ariz. He attended Stanford University, where he became interested in drama during his second year. In 1972, he transferred to Carnegie-Mellon University (formerly Carnegie Tech) in Pittsburgh. After graduation, he was hired as an understudy in Tom Stoppard's Off Broadway production of "The Real Inspector Hound." Danson moved to Los Angeles in 1978 and studied with Dan Fauci at the Actor's Institute, where he also taught classes. Danson lives with his family in Los Angeles. He is a founding member of the American Oceans Campaign (AOC), an organization established to alert Americans to the life-threatening hazards created by oil spills, offshore development, toxic wastes, sewage pollution and other ocean abuses.


Getting Even with Dad (1994): $4,000,000

Likes to tap dance. Has heard one of his more famous characters, "Dr. John Becker," described by a fan as "the American Medical Association's answer to Basil Fawlty." Danson completely agrees with this sentiment. Has appeared in episodes of three different series with John Mahoney: "Cheers" (1982), "Frasier" (1993) and "Becker" (1998). Played Jason Ritter's father in Mumford (1999). His wife Mary Steenburgen played Ritter's mother in "Joan of Arcadia" (2003). Children: Katherine Danson (born December 24th 1979) and Alexis Danson (born 1985), adopted by Ted and Casey Danson in 1987. Step-children are Lilly McDowell and Charlie McDowell.