Ted Danson is a name that evokes laughter, warmth, and nostalgia for millions of Americans. For over four decades, he’s been the face behind the bar in “Cheers,” the snarky doctor in “Becker,” and more recently, the supernatural architect in “The Good Place.” But behind the iconic roles and the charming smile, Danson’s journey has been anything but easy. At 77, he’s finally breaking his silence about the scandals, private battles, and painful truths that nearly shattered his life—and the most shocking confession isn’t what you’d expect.

From Arizona Roots to Hollywood Heights

Born December 29, 1947, in San Diego, Danson didn’t grow up on California’s sunny beaches. His family moved to Flagstaff, Arizona, where his father worked as an archaeologist and museum curator. Their modest home was filled with stories of Native American history, but not much else—money was tight, and Danson wore hand-me-downs, sometimes from his older sister.

That childhood poverty left its mark. Even after achieving stardom, Danson admitted that the fear of not having enough never truly disappeared. He described his relationship with money as a “survival mindset,” shaped by years of doing without.

At 14, Danson was shipped off to Kent School in Connecticut, a world away from the rugged landscapes of Arizona. He was an outsider among polished, privileged classmates, mocked for his clothes and background. But on the basketball court, he found his confidence. Few knew he was battling Poland syndrome—a rare condition that left one side of his chest underdeveloped. Locker room teasing stung deeply, and Danson kept this secret for decades, only revealing it publicly in 2000.

The Early Years: Love, Loss, and Emotional Immaturity

After high school, Danson made it into Stanford University, joking later that he “faked his way in.” He was a poor student, treating tests like games. A chance audition—chasing a girl—led him to acting, and soon he was sleeping in his car just to stay close to the theater.

He met actress Randy Gosh at Stanford, marrying her at 22. But Danson admits he was “too emotionally immature” for marriage, and they split in 1975. Seeking serious training, Danson transferred to Carnegie Mellon University, battling nerves and panic attacks but eventually graduating in 1972.

He hustled in New York, working odd jobs and living hand-to-mouth. These years shaped his blue-collar empathy and relentless work ethic—traits that would later define his acting style.

Cheers and the Rollercoaster of Fame

Danson’s big break came in 1975 with a role on the soap “Somerset.” It was a grind, but it taught him discipline. By 1978, he landed his first movie role in “The Onion Field,” playing a real-life LAPD officer murdered in 1963. Critics noticed a depth that set him apart.

But it was “Cheers” that changed everything. In 1982, Danson beat out a former NFL player for the role of Sam Malone—a charming, womanizing ex-baseball star turned bar owner. The show was almost canceled after its disastrous first season, but critics saw promise. By 1986, “Cheers” was a top-10 hit; by season nine, it was number one. The series finale in 1993 drew 80 million viewers, making television history.

Behind the scenes, Danson was earning half a million dollars per episode, the highest-paid actor in TV. But all that success couldn’t fix his unraveling personal life. His marriage to Casey Coats was falling apart, he was having affairs, and he was losing himself in fame.

Scandal and Public Fallout

Danson’s relationship with Whoopi Goldberg began during the filming of “Made in America” in the early ’90s. He was still married to Coats, and the affair led to a $30 million divorce—one of Hollywood’s most expensive at the time.

But the real shock came in October 1993, at a Friars Club roast for Goldberg. Danson appeared in blackface, used racial slurs, and made graphic jokes. The room went silent. People walked out. Even Howard Stern called it “insane.” The scandal dominated headlines for months, leaving a permanent mark on Danson’s public image.

Goldberg defended him, saying she helped write the jokes and did his makeup, but the damage was done. Danson would later confront this moment with honesty and humor, even working it into recent “Curb Your Enthusiasm” episodes.

Private Battles: Health, Therapy, and Redemption

What most fans didn’t know was that Danson had been quietly suffering from plaque psoriasis since age 25. The painful, scaly skin condition left him embarrassed and uncomfortable in his own body. By his 40s, it had progressed to psoriatic arthritis, causing constant pain and fueling his emotional struggles.

Danson eventually sought therapy, doing deep work to understand why he ran from everything that scared him. In 1994, he met Mary Steenburgen while filming “Pontiac Moon.” They married in 1995, building a relationship on honesty and mutual support. Danson credits Steenburgen with helping him grow up emotionally—something he admits he didn’t do until his 40s.

Reinvention and Legacy

Danson’s post-“Cheers” career wasn’t always smooth. “Inc.”, a sitcom with Steenburgen, flopped. But “Becker” became a hit, running for 129 episodes and tackling issues like race, mental health, and chronic illness—subjects rarely seen on prime-time TV. Danson poured his own pain into the role, using it as a platform for truth.

He reinvented himself again with “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” appearing as a fictionalized version of himself and connecting with a new generation. “The Good Place” brought critical acclaim, three consecutive Emmy nominations, and a Critics’ Choice Award. At 70, Danson’s performances felt brand new.

Even “Mr. Mayor,” though canceled after two seasons, allowed Danson to explore themes of aging and fatherhood. In 2025, he starred in Netflix’s “A Man on the Inside,” earning Golden Globe and Carol Burnett Award nominations. The show, co-starring Steenburgen, was praised for its tender exploration of aging and meaning.

Activism and Heartbreak

Danson’s environmental activism began in 1987, inspired by polluted beaches in Santa Monica. He founded the American Oceans Campaign, which merged into Oceana, now the world’s largest ocean protection organization. Danson testified before Congress, narrated documentaries, wrote books, and appeared in PSAs with Steenburgen. In 2025, they were honored with the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award at the Emmys.

But this year also brought heartbreak. On May 20th, Danson’s close friend and “Cheers” co-star George Wendt died peacefully at 76. Danson was devastated, calling the loss a “huge hole” in his life. Their last appearance together was just months before on a podcast with Woody Harrelson.

Danson admits to living with a constant fear of dying, a battle he’s faced for years. In a 2024 NPR interview, he shared how even small pains trigger panic, but he’s learned to reshape that fear into gratitude.

The Power of Owning Your Story

Looking back, Danson says he didn’t truly grow up until his 40s. He calls himself a liar in past relationships, a man who ran from pain. His 1993 divorce and the Friars Club scandal embarrassed his parents, but Danson is grateful for those messy years—they forced him to face the truth and grow.

In 2024, he joined a national awareness campaign for psoriasis, finally sharing the emotional damage his condition caused. For a man who once hid everything, it was a bold step.