Ted Danson Was His Wife’s Friend for Years until a Picnic Changed Their Feelings – They Raised a Blended Family
Most people got to know actor Ted Danson from the sitcom “Cheers,” which aired for 11 years and earned him two Emmy Awards. He also won a couple of Golden Globes and became a familiar face on American television.
Newer generations might recognize him best from his appearance in “The Good Place,” “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Still, Danson’s film and television credits span decades and all kinds of varied projects.
CHEERS — Pictured: Ted Danson as Sam Malone. | Source: Getty Images
However, Danson started his career right out of college in an Off-Broadway production called “The Real Inspector Hound.” Eventually, he moved to L.A. and studied at the Actor’s Institute, where he would later give classes.
His other major roles include “Something about Amelia,” “The Women’s Room,” and his television debut “When the Bough Breaks.” You might also remember him from “Dad,” “Made in America,” “Saving Private Ryan,” “Three Men and a Little Lady,” etc.
His roles in “Cross Creek” and later “Pontiac Moon” marked him differently, as they set the stage for the rest of his life, as he met the person who would not only become his life partner. She became his colleague and the love of his life.
His Previous Relationships and Meeting Mary Steenburgen
Danson dated several women before finding true love. His first marriage was to Randall Gosh in 1970. They met in college and were married before their respective graduations. However, their careers took off, and they split in 1975.
Whoopi Goldberg And Ted Danson At The Ritz Hotel in 1993. | Source: Getty Images
The actor married his second wife, Cassandra Coates, in 1977, and they had their first daughter, Kate, two years later. Sometime later, they adopted another daughter, Alexis. However, complications from her only labor left Coates paralyzed.
That put a strain on their relationship. Danson famously dated actress Whoopi Goldberg while still married to Coates after meeting on the set of “Made in America” in 1992. The media discovered their affair, and Coates filed for divorce, which was finalized in 1993.
Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen attend the American Film Institute awards ceremony on March 4, 1994. | Source: Getty Images
Unfortunately, the divorce was complicated and expensive for Ted Danson, and his dalliance with Goldberg ended in 1993 as well. Luckily, the actor was by then free to reconnect with someone special.
He had met Mary Steenburgen on the auditions for “Cross Creek” in 1983, but he was married to Coates then. Danson has expressed that it was a challenging time in his life. Furthermore, Steenburgen was also in a relationship. It was not the right time.
Steenburgen had just divorced Malcolm McDowell, with whom she had two children, Charles and Lily Amanda. Danson didn’t think he was “relationship material” at the time, and the actress was not ready for anything more than a friendship.
English actor Malcolm McDowell with his wife, Mary Steenburgen, at the premiere party for ‘Blue Thunder’ at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, United States. | Source: Getty Images
However, the universe had other plans, and everything changed for them when Danson and his friends organized a unique trip. Suddenly, romance was in the air, and they couldn’t deny their feelings any longer.
Their Relationship Turned Romantic
Danson invited Mary Steenburgen on a canoe trip to Mendocino, California, with his friends. They had a picnic, and the actor called it “magical” and said that they came back in love.
Actors Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen on the set of the made-for-television film Gulliver’s Travels, directed by Charles Sturridge. | Source: Getty Images
Meanwhile, the actress revealed that they had lived since they were 40 and 45 already. They met at a difficult time when they were still staring “down some demons,” but ultimately, it was fortunate that they reconnected then.
Their relationship stayed steady from then on, and Danson proposed on February 8, 1995. He went to Houston, where she was working on “Powder,” to see Steenburgen for her birthday and popped the question as he knew she was the one for him.
Ted Danson & Mary Steenburgen during 1994 ShoWest in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. | Source: Getty Images
They married on October 7, 1995, in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. Their guest list included then-president Bill Clinton and the first lady, who were good friends with Steenburgen.
The actor’s daughter, Kate, and Steenburgen’s girl, Lily, were bridesmaids for the ceremony, while Alexis was a flower girl. The actress’ son carried the rings down the aisle.