Ted Danson has been active in the entertainment industry since 1975, when he got his start in the soap world on shows like Somerset and The Doctors before launching into stardom with Cheers. Decades later, he continues to land lead roles in prominent sitcoms , racking up more and more iconic TV characters even well into his 70s. He may be best known for his comedic roles, but throughout his prolific career, Danson has proven he can handle dramatic roles just as skillfully – as evidenced by his appearances in the poignant movies Something About Amelia (1984) and Saving Private Ryan (1998).
Whether he pops up in a feature cameo, makes a short-lived guest appearance on TV, or leads his own show, Danson is always a welcome sight on screen. You can count on top-notch delivery every time. Danson’s new sitcom, A Man on the Inside, has sparked conversations about the realities of aging and gives insight into his mindset moving forward. Telling CBS News what he’s learned from working on the project, he said, “Don’t slow down, just keep going, keep living your life. I think that’s one of the things our elders can pass on to us. This is how you live life right up until the end.” If the following performances are any indication, Danson is taking this lesson to heart, and his career doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.
14
Something About Amelia (1984)
Something About Amelia is an emotional made-for-TV drama from the ’80s that explores themes of sexual trauma that occurs within a family and dealing with the aftermath. If any project seems the least like Ted Danson would be in it, this would be the one. In the movie, he portrays Steven Bennett, a man who is discovered to have assaulted his tween daughter, the titular Amelia (Roxana Zal).
Something About Amelia was a successful film despite its heavy and relatively taboo subject matter, earning three Emmys and two Golden Globes — one of which went to Danson for his performance. A New York Times review from the time described Danson’s portrayal of his character as “intense yet slightly distant,” which, along with the other actors, “add[s] up to a television project of unusual power.”
13
Dad (1989)
Dad
Dad is a drama film released in 1989, focusing on a busy executive who returns home to care for his aging father after learning of his mother’s illness. Through this experience, he strengthens his bond with his father and reflects on his estrangement from his own son.
- Release Date
-
October 27, 1989
- Director
-
Gary David Goldberg
- Runtime
-
117 minutes
- Cast
-
Jack Lemmon
, Ted Danson
, Ethan Hawke
, Kevin Spacey
, Olympia Dukakis
, Kathy Baker
, Zakes Mokae
, J.T. Walsh
, Peter Michael Goetz
, John Apicella
, Richard McGonagle
, Art Frankel
, Gregory Itzin
, Vickilyn Reynolds
With an A-list cast starring Ted Danson and Jack Lemmon as the leads and featuring Olympia Dukakis, Kathy Baker, Kevin Spacey, and Ethan Hawke, the 1989 dramedy Dad has a lot going for it. It’s a poignant tale of an adult man unexpectedly becoming a caregiver for his ailing father, with whom he is able to bond while examining his own parenting. Though it received mixed reviews, Dad gives Danson and Lemmon a foundation upon which to explore the complex relationship between fathers and sons and is sure to pull on some heartstrings. Lemmon was nominated for a Golden Globe for his role, and the film won the Oscar for Best Makeup.
12
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
- Release Date
-
July 24, 1998
- Runtime
-
169 minutes
- Distributor(s)
-
DreamWorks Distribution
, Paramount Pictures
Though Tom Hanks and Matt Damon are undouobtedly the first names that come to mind when thinking about Saving Private Ryan, Ted Danson’s brief appearance is worth mentioning. The Steven Spielberg movie is set during WWII when an Army Captain goes on a mission to find a soldier who has gone MIA after all three of his brothers are killed in combat.
Ted Danson appears as Fred Hamill, the Captain of the 101st Airborne, which the missing Ryan was thought to be a part of. Saving Private Ryan is one of the most iconic movies of all time — and one of the most realistic according to WWII historians — Danson is likely pleased to have it on his resume, as unexpected as it might be.
11
Gulliver’s Travels (1996)
Gulliver’s Travels
Gulliver’s Travels is a 1996 adventure drama featuring Ted Danson as Dr. Lemuel Gulliver, who returns home to share extraordinary tales of his extensive and surprising voyages. The film explores his encounters in fantastical lands and the impact of his experiences on his life and family.
- Release Date
-
February 4, 1996
- Network
-
NBC
- Cast
-
Alfre Woodard
, Isabelle Huppert
, John Gielgud
, John Standing
, Mary Steenburgen
, Peter O’Toole
, Ted Danson
, James Fox
, Omar Sharif
, Kristin Scott Thomas
, Robert Hardy
, Geraldine Chaplin
, Edward Fox
, Ned Beatty
, Edward Woodward
, Jonny Coyne
, Nicholas Lyndhurst
, Warwick Davis
, Tom Sturridge
, Annette Badland
, Richard Wilson
, Navin Chowdhry
, George Harris
, Karyn Parsons
, Kate Maberly - Writers
-
Simon Moore
- Directors
-
Charles Sturridge
Ted Danson is nearly unrecognizable in the 1996 TV adaptation of Gulliver’s Travels. He plays Lemuel Gulliver, who is at the center of the story and is featured with long, flowing brown locks — a far cry from his usual appearance. Danson, who stars alongside his real-life wife, Mary Steenburgen, takes audiences on an epic journey as Gulliver, narrating the tales of his daring travels, which are explored in flashbacks.
The miniseries was well-received by critics and praised for staying faithful to the 1726 Jonathan Swift novel, which other adaptations have failed to do. It also earned 11 Emmy nominations and won five. With a comedic undertone and plenty of pizzazz, Gulliver’s Travels was uniquely suited to Danson’s talents and he delivered.
10
Three Men and a Baby (1987)
Three Men and a Baby
Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg, and Ted Danson star in Three Men and a Baby, a comedy about a trio of bachelors who have to take care of an infant. Directed by Leonard Nimoy, the 1987 movie is the American adaptation of the French film Three Men and a Cradle.
- Release Date
-
November 27, 1987
- Runtime
-
102 Minutes
- Writers
-
James Orr
, Jim Cruickshank - Distributor(s)
-
Disney
Ted Danson, Tom Selleck, and Steve Guttenberg star in Leonard Nimoy’s 1987 Three Men and a Baby. In this heartwarming comedy, three ill-prepared single men become unexpectedly responsible for raising a baby. The film was a massive commercial success and spawned the 1990 sequel Three Men and a Little Lady. Danson plays Jack Holden, the father of the love child thrust upon the men, and he was praised for her performance as the self-indulgent actor-turned-daddy. The New York Times claimed he had “outstanding moments as the actor who works his less-than-brillant career into every conversation,” and audiences agreed.
9
Bored to Death (2009–2011)
- Release Date
-
September 20, 2009
- Creator(s)
-
Jonathan Ames
- Seasons
-
3
- Directors
-
Michael Lehmann
, Adam Bernstein
The HBO comedy Bored to Death ran for three seasons before being canceled, much to viewers’ dismay. Fans created petitions in an attempt to save the show but were unsuccessful. Bored to Death centers on a struggling writer named Jonathan Ames (Jason Schwartzman), who pretends to be a private investigator to drum up ideas for his work. Zach Galifianakis stars as his best friend and comic book artist, and Ted Danson plays his editor and mentor. Many critics praised the show’s casting, with Danson in particular being called a “scene-stealer,” and some even thought his character should have been the show’s lead.
8
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000-2015)
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
- Release Date
-
October 6, 2000
- Network
-
CBS
- Seasons
-
15
- Showrunner
-
Anthony E. Zuiker
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is the original crime procedural that spawned the hugely popular franchise that includes other shows such as CSI: Miami, CSI: New York, CSI: Vegas, CSI: Hawaii, and CSI: Cyber. Airing from 2000 to 2015, the series focused heavily on the forensic science aspect of crime-solving and became one of the most successful shows of its kind.
Ted Danson joined the cast of CSI in 2011, playing crime lab director D.B. Russell for three seasons. Many felt that Danson brought a freshness to the show when he took over the lead role, with his character’s enthusiasm in stark contrast to the more subdued performances of others before him. His charm instantly helped revive a long-running season that had been losing steam prior to his arrival.
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Why Leiv Schreiber Was Only on CSI for 4 Episodes
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7
Fargo (2014-present)
- Release Date
-
April 15, 2014
- Network
-
FX
- Cast
-
Billy Bob Thornton
, Allison Tolman
, Martin Freeman
, Kirsten Dunst
, Patrick Wilson
, Jesse Plemons
, Ewan McGregor
, Carrie Coon
, Chris Rock
, Jessie Buckley
, Jason Schwartzman
, Juno Temple
, Jon Hamm - Streaming Service(s)
-
Hulu
A critically acclaimed comedy crime drama, Fargo is an anthology series that follows a self-contained narrative each season, often set in different time periods. Ted Danson appears in Season 2, which is set in the Midwest in 1979 and focuses on a young couple’s attempt to cover up a crime. He plays a county Sheriff investigating a triple homicide.
Critics praised several performances, including Danson, along with leads Kirsten Dunst and Patrick Wilson, and others. Danson claimed that nailing the required Minnesota accent was the most difficult part of the role for him, but it seems his practice and dedication paid off if the accolades he received are any indication. Fargo showrunner Noah Hawley suggests a Season 6 is likely after racking up 15 Emmy nominations in 2024.
6
Becker (1998-2004)
The 1998 sitcom Becker starred Ted Danson as the lead character, the cynical Dr. John Becker, who exists in a constant state of irritation with the world around him. Despite his outward flaws, he’s a good-hearted person and a devoted clinician. The first four seasons of the show thrived, but due in part to CBS repeatedly moving its timeslot around, the loss of its lead actress, and in-fighting within the production, Becker lost ratings and was canceled after Season 6. Some critics disliked the series, and Danson admits to remembering the negative headlines about it even decades later. However, viewers maintain that the sitcom was consistently funny and that Danson’s sardonic portrayal and witty dialogue still stand up.
5
Damages (2007-12)
The FX legal thriller Damages centers on an attorney (Glenn Close) and her mentee (Rose Byrne) as they litigate a major court case each season. Ted Danson portrayed a corrupt billionaire, Arthur Frobisher, who is the target of a class action lawsuit. His character was a main focus of Season 1, and he returned for several episodes in the following two seasons. To prepare for the role, Danson studied the infamous Enron scandal and even liaised with Fortune 500 company CEOs. He received three Primetime Emmy Award nominations and one Golden Globe nomination for his work, proving once again that his drama chops are just as good as his comedy skills.
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4
Curb Your Enthusiasm (1999-2024)
Larry David’s massively popular Seinfeld-esque sitcom Curb Your Enthusiasm ran for 12 seasons over the span of 25 years and garnered much critical acclaim. Many of the show’s stars appeared as fictionalized versions of themselves, including Ted Danson and his wife, actress Mary Steenburgen, who were recurring characters throughout the series. In a December 2024 episode of his podcast Where Everybody Knows Your Name, Danson admitted that he thought Curb “sucked” when he first read the script and only agreed to appear because he felt bad for David — though his opinion swiftly changed. In hindsight, he recognizes the sitcom’s cultural impact, credits it with reinvigorating his love of comedy, and admits, “It changed my life.”
3
A Man on the Inside (2024-present)
The brand-new 2024 comedy series A Man on the Inside has already made waves in the industry, racking up near-perfect ratings from critics and rave reviews from audiences and topping the Netflix charts. Ted Danson plays the lead role, a widowed former professor named Charles who decides to try his hand at private investigating. The first season follows his undercover journey at a local retirement community, a concept ripe with comedic possibility and ample opportunity to tug on your heartstrings. Danson has been highly praised for his performance; RogerEbert.com gives a gracious review of his work: “He shows a more vulnerable side than normal, embracing his age more than usual … and speaking with gravity about the blend of satisfaction and fear that comes with reaching the end of life.”
2
The Good Place (2016-20)
NBC’s fantasy-comedy The Good Place ran for four seasons, featuring Kristen Bell and Ted Danson in its lead roles. Bell stars a recently deceased woman who winds up in a utopian afterlife called The Good Place (as opposed to The Bad Place, where she was meant to go). The heaven-like world is carefully curated by its “architect,” played by Danson, who received three Emmy nominations for his performance. Unsurprisingly, his character, Michael, has some of the funniest lines in the show. Fully of whimsy, wit, and a large dose of existential ponderance, the show earned near-perfect ratings, a slew of awards, and widespread regard. When asked about her experience alongside Danson, Bell told Collider, “Not a lot of people get to work with a national treasure on a daily basis. … He seems like such heavyweight ’cause he brings this extensive resume and all this talent, but no one is lighter or funnier to be around.”
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The Good Place: 6 Reasons Why Michael Was Excited About Humans
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1
Cheers (1982-1993)
Cheers, one of the most iconic sitcoms of all time, ran for nearly a decade and left a lasting impact on the comedy genre and the television industry as a whole. Ted Danson was lucky enough to snag a lead role as Sam Malone, a Boston bartender whose establishment acts as the main setting for the show. It also featured Shelley Long, Nicholas Colasanto, Rhea Perlman, George Wendt, John Ratzenberger, and plenty of other well-known stars. Cheers was nominated for 117 Primetime Emmys and won 28 — of which 12 nominations and 2 wins can be attributed to Danson alone. The spin-off Fraiser launched in 1993 and became nearly as popular as the original; the was lead played by Kelsey Grammer, to whom Danson recently apologized for a long-ago argument on the set of Cheers. The show that catapulted Danson into legend status as an actor is a must-watch for any fans of his work, new or old.
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