Ted Dansonhas been active in the entertainment industry since 1975, when he got his start in the soap world on shows likeSomersetandThe Doctorsbefore launching into stardom withCheers. Decades later, he continues to land lead roles in prominent sitcoms , racking up more and moreiconic TV characterseven 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 moviesSomething About Amelia(1984) andSaving 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. TellingCBS Newswhat 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.
14Becker (1998-2004)
The 1998 sitcomBeckerstarred 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 still 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,Beckerlost ratings and was canceled after Season 6.
Some critics disliked the series, which often felt like DietFrasierdespite being popular with viewers, and Danson admits to remembering the negative headlines about it even decades later. However, audiences look back on the sitcom as a consistently funny character study and feel that Danson’s sardonic portrayal and witty dialogue beat the test of time.
13Something About Amelia (1984)
Something About Amelia
Shame and fear have kept Amelia Bennett (Roxana Zal) silent about the sexual molestation she’s been suffering at the hands of her father, Steven (Ted Danson). But as Amelia starts to believe that Steven might harm her younger sibling in similar ways, she unburdens herself of her awful secret. Confronted with this horrifying piece of news, Steven’s wife, Gail (Glenn Close), can’t believe it’s true, and he professes his innocence. But as new details emerge, the family is shaken to its core.
Something About Ameliais 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 Ameliawas 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. ANew York Timesreview 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.”
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.
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 dramedyDadhas a lot going for it. It’s a poignant tale of an adult man unexpectedly becoming a caregiver for his ailing father (Lemmon in one of his many great late roles), with whom he is able to bond while examining his own parenting.
Though it received mixed reviews,Dadgives 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 was Oscar-nominated for Best Makeup (losing toDriving Miss Daisy).
11Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Saving Private Ryan
Though Tom Hanks and Matt Damon are undoubtedly the first names that come to mind when thinking aboutSaving Private Ryan, the film is a true ensemble piece, and 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 Ryanis one of the most iconic movies of all time — andone of the most realistic according to WWII historians. Danson is likely pleased to have it on his resume, as unexpected as it might be for the usually comedic actor.
10Gulliver’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.
Ted Danson is nearly unrecognizable in the 1996 TV adaptation ofGulliver’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 being 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 Travelswas uniquely suited to Danson’s talents and he delivered.
9Three 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.
Ted Danson, Tom Selleck, and Steve Guttenberg star in Leonard Nimoy’s 1987Three 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 sequelThree Men and a Little Lady.
Danson plays Jack Holden, the father of the love child thrust upon the men, and he was praised for his performance as the self-indulgent actor-turned-daddy.The New York Timesclaimed he had “outstanding moments as the actor, who works his less-than-brilliant career into every conversation,” and audiences agreed.
8Bored to Death (2009–2011)
Bored to Death
The HBO comedyBored to Deathran 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 Deathcenters on a struggling writer named Jonathan Ames (Jason Schwartzman), who attempts a kind-of-real job as a private investigator to drum up ideas for his work. Zach Galifianakis stars as his best friend and a comic book artist, and Ted Danson plays his rich 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.
7CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000-2015)
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
CSI: Crime Scene Investigationis the original crime procedural that spawned the hugely popular franchise that includes other shows such asCSI: Miami,CSI: New York,CSI: Vegas,CSI: Hawaii, andCSI: 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. Danson himself has been in multipleCSIseries, playing crime lab director D.B. Russell inCSI: New YorkandCSI: Cyber, but mainly portraying the character in the original tentpole series,CSI.
Ted Danson joinedthe cast ofCSIin 2011, playing 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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6Fargo (2014-present)
A critically acclaimed comedy crime drama,Fargois 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 an aging 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.Fargoshowrunner Noah Hawley suggests a Season 6 is likelyafter racking up 15 Emmy nominations in 2024.
5Damages (2007-2012)
The FX legal thrillerDamagescenters 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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