---
name: "Ted Danson"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/ted-danson"
fi1m_id: "ted-danson"
imdb_id: "nm0001101"
tmdb_id: 12836
wikidata_id: "Q381203"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "29 December 1947"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 11
average_fi1m_score: 76
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 10
updated: "2026-10-07T12:20:34.502277+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Ted Danson

## Identity

Ted Danson

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/ted-danson
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** ted-danson
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001101
- **TMDB ID:** 12836
- **Wikidata ID:** Q381203
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Danson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q381203, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001101/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/12836

Actor. Born 29 December 1947 in San Diego, California, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 29 December 1947, San Diego, California, USA
- **Active:** 1981–present
- **Also known as:** Edward Bridge “Ted” Danson III
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 11: 10 acting, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Daniel Schofield](https://film.one/person/daniel-schofield.md), [Janet Leahy](https://film.one/person/janet-leahy.md), [Michael Schur](https://film.one/person/michael-schur.md), [Morgan Sackett](https://film.one/person/morgan-sackett.md), [Rebecca Asher](https://film.one/person/rebecca-asher.md), [Tristram Shapeero](https://film.one/person/tristram-shapeero.md), [Tucker Gates](https://film.one/person/tucker-gates.md)
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 2 Emmys (2 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 76, as actor, over 10 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 81 (3), 1990s 78 (2), 2000s 64 (2), 2010s 77 (3), 2020s 72 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 78 to 70 across 8 titles
- **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 4 of 9 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 5, Crime 5, Drama 5, Mystery 2, Sci-Fi & Fantasy 2, Action & Adventure 1
- **Screen time:** 6 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $749m across 3 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Danson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q381203, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001101/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/12836

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*The Good Place*](https://film.one/tv/the-good-place.md) (84), [*Damages*](https://film.one/tv/damages.md) (78), [*3 Men and a Baby*](https://film.one/film/3-men-and-a-baby.md) (71)
- **Apple TV:** [*Cheers*](https://film.one/tv/cheers.md) (88), [*Saving Private Ryan*](https://film.one/film/saving-private-ryan.md) (84)
- **Peacock:** [*Gulliver's Travels*](https://film.one/tv/gullivers-travels.md) (73)
- **Netflix:** [*A Man on the Inside*](https://film.one/tv/a-man-on-the-inside.md) (72)
- **HBO Max:** [*Bored to Death*](https://film.one/tv/bored-to-death.md) (50)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Ted Danson

> Ted Danson makes vain men funny without making them contemptible. We rate the precision of his comedy, and the sadness beneath the charm; his leading television roles give those qualities more room than his small film parts.

Danson’s vain men tend to be charming enough to get away with it, and vulnerable enough that we do not entirely want them caught. He makes their self-importance funny without asking us to despise them. Sam Malone in *Cheers* (1982–1993) gave him the leading television role that established him as a comedian. That combination of vanity and vulnerability is what we value most in his work.

Before *Cheers*, he played Peter Lowenstein in Lawrence Kasdan’s *Body Heat* (1981), a useful reminder that he did not begin as the main attraction. William Hurt and Kathleen Turner are the centre of that film, making foolish desire credible even when the debt to older noir shows too plainly. Danson has a supporting part, and it is worth keeping that proportion in mind. We recommend the film warmly, without pretending it is the place to see everything he can do.

Steven Spielberg’s *Saving Private Ryan* (1998) gives him a brief appearance as Captain Hamill. The authority that matters most here is Tom Hanks’s, and it is under punishing strain. We were frightened by the combat sequences, rather than merely impressed by their staging. The writing between battles is more familiar, though the film is worth the ordeal. These two films show the limits of using his cinema work as the measure of his acting: both deserve an evening, neither gives him as much to do as a leading television role.

The later move through darker work in *Damages* (2007) to Michael in *The Good Place* (2016–2020) makes a simple story of fading sitcom fame difficult to sustain. His timing and physical comedy remain particular strengths in the latter. Danson has put his preference plainly: “Comedy has to be rooted in sadness or it's worthless to me.” We need not mistake that for a promise that every role will be profound; it explains why the charming, self-absorbed men can hold our interest. Start with *Cheers*, then try *The Good Place* for the physical comedy that has lost none of its precision.

## Biography

Ted Danson is an American actor. Born in San Diego, California, he was raised in Arizona and trained at Carnegie Mellon University, where he earned a BFA in drama in 1972.

He is best known for his role as Sam Malone in the sitcom *Cheers* (1982–1993). Other television credits include *Becker* (1998–2004) and *The Good Place* (2016–2020) as Michael. Film roles include *Three Men and a Baby* (1987) and Captain Hamill in *Saving Private Ryan* (1998).

Danson has received multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Awards. He is also known for ocean conservation activism.

*Sources: imdb.com, britannica.com, televisionacademy.com.*

## On Fi1m (11)

### Performed in (10) — the average rests on these

- *A Man on the Inside* (2024), Fi1m 72, as Charles Nieuwendyk — [page](https://film.one/tv/a-man-on-the-inside.md)
- *The Good Place* (2016), Fi1m 84, as Michael — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-place.md)
- *Fargo* (2014), Fi1m 82, as Sheriff Hank Larsson — [page](https://film.one/tv/fargo-2014.md)
- *Bored to Death* (2009), Fi1m 50, as George Christopher — [page](https://film.one/tv/bored-to-death.md)
- *Damages* (2007), Fi1m 78, as Arthur Frobisher — [page](https://film.one/tv/damages.md)
- *Saving Private Ryan* (1998), Fi1m 84, as Captain Hamill — [page](https://film.one/film/saving-private-ryan.md)
- *Gulliver's Travels* (1996), Fi1m 73, as Lemuel Gulliver — [page](https://film.one/tv/gullivers-travels.md)
- *3 Men and a Baby* (1987), Fi1m 71, as Jack Holden — [page](https://film.one/film/3-men-and-a-baby.md)
- *Cheers* (1982), Fi1m 88, as Sam Malone — [page](https://film.one/tv/cheers.md)
- *Body Heat* (1981), Fi1m 83, as Peter Lowenstein — [page](https://film.one/film/body-heat.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Ted* (2012), Fi1m 64, as Ted Danson (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/ted.md)

## Complete filmography (98)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Henry David Thoreau* (2026), as Ralph Waldo Emerson (voice)
- *Henry David Thoreau* (2026), series, as Ralph Waldo Emerson (voice)
- *A Man on the Inside* (2024), series, as Charles Nieuwendyk · Producer — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/a-man-on-the-inside.md)
- *Mulligan* (2023), series, as (voice)
- *Mr. Mayor* (2021), series, as Mayor Neil Bremer
- *Best Summer Ever* (2020), Executive Producer
- *30 Rock: A One-Time Special* (2020), as Ted Danson
- *Hearts Beat Loud* (2018), as Dave
- *The Orville* (2017), series, as Admiral Perry
- *The Good Place* (2016), series, as Michael — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-place.md)
- *CSI: Immortality* (2015), as D.B. Russell
- *CSI: Cyber* (2015), series, as D.B. Russell
- *The One I Love* (2014), as Therapist · Thanks
- *Fargo* (2014), series, as Sheriff Hank Larsson — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/fargo-2014.md)
- *Ted* (2012), as Ted Danson (uncredited) — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/ted.md)
- *Big Miracle* (2012), as J. W. McGraw
- *Jock the Hero Dog* (2011), as Pezulu (voice)
- *Fight for Your Right Revisited* (2011), as Maitre D'
- *2Everything2Terrible2: Tokyo Drift* (2010), as (archive footage)
- *Bored to Death* (2009), series, as George Christopher — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/tv/bored-to-death.md)
- *Waking Sleeping Beauty* (2009), as Jack Holden (archive footage)
- *The End of the Line* (2009), as Narrator (voice)
- *The Open Road* (2009), as Coach
- *The Human Contract* (2008), as E.J Winters
- *Mad Money* (2008), as Don Cardigan
- *Damages* (2007), series, as Arthur Frobisher — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/damages.md)
- *Nobel Son* (2007), as Harvey Parrish
- *Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!* (2007), series, as Little Danson Man
- *Help Me Help You* (2006), series, as Bill Hoffman
- *The Amateurs* (2006), as Moose
- *Bye Bye Benjamin* (2006), as Bill · Executive Producer
- *Knights of the South Bronx* (2005), as Richard Mason
- *Our Fathers* (2005), as Mitchell Garabedian
- *American Dad!* (2005), series, as Dr. Ray Petit (voice)
- *Fronterz* (2004), Actor
- *It Must Be Love* (2004), as George Gazelle
- *Mrs. Pilgrim Goes to Hollywood* (2003), as Ted
- *Living with the Dead* (2002), as James Van Praagh
- *Living with the Dead* (2002), series, as James Van Praagh
- *Curb Your Enthusiasm* (2000), series, as Ted Danson — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/curb-your-enthusiasm.md)
- *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as D.B. Russell
- *Grosse Pointe* (2000), series, as Jack the Dog (voice)
- *The Search for Atlantis* (2000), as Narrator
- *Mumford* (1999), as Jeremy Brockett
- *Jerry and Tom* (1998), as The Guy Who Loved Vicki
- *Becker* (1998), series, as Dr. John Becker
- *Saving Private Ryan* (1998), as Captain Hamill — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/saving-private-ryan.md)
- *Thanks of a Grateful Nation* (1998), as Jim Tuite
- *Homegrown* (1998), as Gianni Saletzzo
- *Monty Python: Live at Aspen* (1998), as Audience Member (uncredited)
- *Veronica's Closet* (1997), series, as Nick Vanover
- *King of the Hill* (1997), series, as Tom Hammond (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/king-of-the-hill-1997.md)
- *Ink* (1996), series, as Mike Logan · Producer
- *Cosby* (1996), series, Actor
- *Loch Ness* (1996), as Dr. Dempsey
- *E! True Hollywood Story* (1996), series, Actor
- *Gulliver's Travels* (1996), series, as Lemuel Gulliver — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/gullivers-travels.md)
- *Pontiac Moon* (1994), as Washington Bellamy · Executive Producer
- *Getting Even with Dad* (1994), as Ray
- *Diagnosis: Murder* (1993), series, as Ted Danson
- *Frasier* (1993), series, as Sam Malone — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md)
- *Made in America* (1993), as Hal Jackson
- *3 Men and a Little Lady* (1990), as Jack Holden
- *The Earth Day Special* (1990), as Sam Malone
- *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Sam Malone (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md)
- *Dad* (1989), as John Tremont
- *Cousins* (1989), as Larry Kozinski
- *Mickey's 60th Birthday* (1988), as Sam Malone
- *She's Having a Baby* (1988), as Ted Danson (uncredited)
- *3 Men and a Baby* (1987), as Jack Holden — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/3-men-and-a-baby.md)
- *How Can I Tell If I'm Really in Love?* (1987), Actor
- *We Are the Children* (1987), Actor
- *When the Bough Breaks* (1986), as Alex · Executive Producer
- *A Fine Mess* (1986), as Spence Holden
- *Just Between Friends* (1986), as Chip Davis
- *The NBC All Star Hour: Let's All Be There* (1985), Actor
- *Little Treasure* (1985), as Eugene Wilson
- *Something About Amelia* (1984), as Steven Bennett
- *Allison Sydney Harrison* (1983), as David Harrison
- *Cowboy* (1983), as Dale Weeks
- *Creepshow* (1982), as Harry Wentworth (segment "Something To Tide You Over")
- *Tucker's Witch* (1982), series, as Danny Kirkwood
- *Cheers* (1982), series, as Sam Malone — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/cheers.md)
- *Our Family Business* (1981), as Gep
- *Body Heat* (1981), as Peter Lowenstein — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/body-heat.md)
- *Magnum, P.I.* (1980), series, as Stewart Crane
- *Spider-Man: The Dragon's Challenge* (1980), as Major Collings
- *Once Upon a Spy* (1980), as Jack Chenault
- *The Women's Room* (1980), as Norman
- *The French Atlantic Affair* (1979), series, as Abe Santley
- *The Onion Field* (1979), as Ian Campbell
- *Mrs. Columbo* (1979), series, as Richard Dellinger
- *B. J. and the Bear* (1979), series, Actor
- *Taxi* (1978), series, as Vincenzo Senaca — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/taxi.md)
- *The Amazing Spider-Man* (1978), series, as Maj. Collings
- *Family* (1976), series, Actor
- *Laverne & Shirley* (1976), series, Actor
- *She's Fine*, series, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Ted Danson](https://film.one/media/person/87595/gallery-f1d6cd3af14f.jpg) Ted Danson — Rob Dicaterino, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bf/Ted_Danson_2008_number_2.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Cast and crew of NBC's 'The Good Place' discuss the show in the Indigo Ballroom at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel during San Diego Comic Con on July 21, 20 (2018)](https://film.one/media/person/87595/gallery-66b56779fda9.jpg) Cast and crew of NBC's 'The Good Place' discuss the show in the Indigo Ballroom at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel during San Diego Comic Con on July 21, 20 (2018) — aitchisons from United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/%27The_Good_Place%27_cast_and_crew_visit_San_Diego_Comic_Con_for_a_panel_%2828880424707%29.jpg/1280px-%27The_Good_Place%27_cast_and_crew_visit_San_Diego_Comic_Con_for_a_panel_%2828880424707%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Cast and crew of NBC's 'The Good Place' discuss the show in the Indigo Ballroom at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel during San Diego Comic Con on July 21, 20 (2018)](https://film.one/media/person/87595/gallery-c381bc020aac.jpg) Cast and crew of NBC's 'The Good Place' discuss the show in the Indigo Ballroom at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel during San Diego Comic Con on July 21, 20 (2018) — aitchisons from United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/%27The_Good_Place%27_cast_and_crew_visit_San_Diego_Comic_Con_for_a_panel_%2828880425037%29.jpg/1280px-%27The_Good_Place%27_cast_and_crew_visit_San_Diego_Comic_Con_for_a_panel_%2828880425037%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Cast and crew of NBC's 'The Good Place' discuss the show in the Indigo Ballroom at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel during San Diego Comic Con on July 21, 20 (2018)](https://film.one/media/person/87595/gallery-3a8a63fb6b11.jpg) Cast and crew of NBC's 'The Good Place' discuss the show in the Indigo Ballroom at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel during San Diego Comic Con on July 21, 20 (2018) — aitchisons from United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/67/%27The_Good_Place%27_cast_and_crew_visit_San_Diego_Comic_Con_for_a_panel_%2842913097075%29.jpg/1280px-%27The_Good_Place%27_cast_and_crew_visit_San_Diego_Comic_Con_for_a_panel_%2842913097075%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Ted Danson](https://film.one/media/person/87595/gallery-b144b88d5b0d.jpg) Ted Danson — Image via TMDB
- ![Ted Danson](https://film.one/media/person/87595/gallery-94ce59b81f03.jpg) Ted Danson — Image via TMDB
- ![Cast and crew of NBC's 'The Good Place' discuss the show in the Indigo Ballroom at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel during San Diego Comic Con on July 21, 20 (2018)](https://film.one/media/person/87595/gallery-c205bfa57c6a.jpg) Cast and crew of NBC's 'The Good Place' discuss the show in the Indigo Ballroom at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel during San Diego Comic Con on July 21, 20 (2018) — aitchisons from United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/%27The_Good_Place%27_cast_and_crew_visit_San_Diego_Comic_Con_for_a_panel_%2842913097245%29.jpg/1280px-%27The_Good_Place%27_cast_and_crew_visit_San_Diego_Comic_Con_for_a_panel_%2842913097245%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Cast and crew of NBC's 'The Good Place' discuss the show in the Indigo Ballroom at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel during San Diego Comic Con on July 21, 20 (2018)](https://film.one/media/person/87595/gallery-d3851ec73c9b.jpg) Cast and crew of NBC's 'The Good Place' discuss the show in the Indigo Ballroom at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel during San Diego Comic Con on July 21, 20 (2018) — aitchisons from United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/%27The_Good_Place%27_cast_and_crew_visit_San_Diego_Comic_Con_for_a_panel_%2843100198314%29.jpg/1280px-%27The_Good_Place%27_cast_and_crew_visit_San_Diego_Comic_Con_for_a_panel_%2843100198314%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

## Awards

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 2 won

- 1993: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (won), for *Cheers*
- 1990: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (won), for *Cheers*

### Other awards — 1 won

- honorary doctor of Carnegie-Mellon University 2018: honorary doctor of Carnegie-Mellon University (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/ted-danson