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Ted Danson Biography

Birth Name:Edward Bridge Danson

Birth Place:San Diego, California, United States

Profession Actor, Producer, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

  • Advocates the preservation of the ocean as a founding member of the American Oceans Campaign
  • Published "Oceana: Our Endangered Oceans And What We Can Do To Save Them" along with co-author journalist Michael D'Orso in March 2011
  • His passion for acting started while attending Stanford University, inspiring him to transfer to Carnegie Mellon University to complete his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in drama
  • Quote: "Acting is pretending that you're not pretending when you're actually pretending․"
  • Comedy has been his mainstay, but he has gone on to play a variety of dramatic roles on film and television as well
  • Known for his role on long-running television series "Cheers" as Sam Malone
  • Appeared in the music video "Make Some Noise" by the Beastie Boys in 2011
  • Is a frequent supporter of Democratic candidates and attended Chelsea Clinton's wedding on July 31, 2010
  • Under the influence of an older mentor, he used to go "billboarding" as a child, destroying outdoor advertisements with an axe and a saw in the name of environmentalism
  • He was featured in the commercials for the cologne "Aramis" in 1983
  • In keeping with his ethical beliefs and his health needs, he lives off of a completely vegan diet

Awards

  • 1983Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1984Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1984Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1984Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special: nominated
  • 1985Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1985Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
  • 1985Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1986Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1987Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1987Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1988Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1989American Comedy Award-Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication: nominated
  • 1989Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1989Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1990American Comedy Award-Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1990American Comedy Award-Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication: nominated
  • 1990Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: winner
  • 1990Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 1990Q Award-Best Actor in a Quality Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1991American Comedy Award-Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication: winner
  • 1991Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: winner
  • 1991Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1991Q Award-Best Actor in a Quality Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1992Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1992Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1993American Television Award-Best Actor in a Situation Comedy: nominated
  • 1993Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1993Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 1993Stinker Award-Worst Actor: winner
  • 1997Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 1999OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a New Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1999TV Guide Award-Favorite Star of a New Series: nominated
  • 2000Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Series, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2001Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2003Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2005Satellite Award-Outstanding Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2006Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2006Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Series, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2006TV Land Award-Most Memorable Kiss: nominated
  • 2006Legend Award-: winner
  • 2007TV Land Award-Break Up That Was So Bad It Was Good: winner
  • 2008Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2008Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2009Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Guest Actor: nominated
  • 2009Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2010Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Guest Actor: nominated
  • 2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2017Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Lead Actor: nominated
  • 2017IGN Award-Best Comedic TV Performance: nominated
  • 2017OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2018Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2018Critics Choice Award-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2018Gold Derby TV Award-Ensemble of the Year: nominated
  • 2018Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Actor: nominated
  • 2018IGN Award-Best Comedic TV Performance: nominated
  • 2018INOCA TV-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2018National Film and Television Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2018OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2018TCA Award-Individual Achievement in Comedy: nominated
  • 2019Critics Choice Award-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2019Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Lead Actor: nominated
  • 2019Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Actor of the Decade: nominated
  • 2019IGN Award-Best Comedic TV Performance: nominated
  • 2019INOCA TV-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2019National Film and Television Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2019OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2019Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2019Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Series, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2019Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Series, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2020Critics Choice Award-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2020Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Actor: nominated
  • 2020IGN Award-Best TV Ensemble: nominated
  • 2020IGN Award-Best Comedic TV Performance: nominated
  • 2020OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2020Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2021Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actor - Television: nominated
  • 2021HCA Award-Best Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Comedy: winner
  • 2025Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2025Golden Globe-Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy: nominated
  • 2025Gotham TV Award-Outstanding Lead Performance in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2026Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2026Critics Choice Award-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated