Ted Danson is a renowned American actor, director, and producer, best known for his iconic role as Sam Malone in the popular television series Cheers, which aired from 1982 to 1993. Throughout the show's 11-year run, he received a total of nine Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, ultimately winning twice in 1990 and 1993. His performance also earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series in 1989 and 1990.
In addition to his work on Cheers, Danson has had a successful career in film and television, starring in numerous productions, including the television movie Something About Amelia, which earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in 1984. He has also appeared in a range of feature films, such as The Onion Field, Body Heat, Three Men and a Baby, Three Men and a Little Lady, Cousins, Dad, Made in America, Saving Private Ryan, Mumford, and Jerry and Tom.
Danson was born Edward Bridge "Ted" Danson III on December 29, 1947, in San Diego, California, to Jessica Harriet (MacMaster) and Edward Bridge Danson, Jr., an archaeologist and museum director. He has English, Scottish, and German ancestry and was raised just outside Flagstaff, Arizona. Danson attended Stanford University and later transferred to Carnegie-Mellon University, where he earned a degree in drama.
After graduating, he began his career in the entertainment industry, studying with Dan Fauci at the Actor's Institute and teaching classes. He eventually moved to Los Angeles in 1978 and continued to hone his craft, appearing in various stage productions and television shows. In 1984, he received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his performance in the television movie Something About Amelia, opposite Glenn Close.
In addition to his acting career, Danson is also a dedicated environmentalist and social activist. He is a founding member of the American Oceans Campaign (AOC),an organization that aims to raise awareness about the dangers of oil spills, offshore development, toxic wastes, sewage pollution, and other ocean abuses.
