Ted Danson got candid once again about the switch from life on set to reality.
The iconic actor, popularly known for his role on the NBC sitcom, shared a glimpse into a turn his personal life took after “Cheers” wrapped up. The TV show ran for eleven seasons for over a decade, bagging 28 Primetime Emmy Awards.
Ted Danson barely shies away from sharing details of his experiences on-screen. He previously quipped about filming intimate scenes with strangers.
Danson did not hold back while sharing the flip in the switch his personal life saw towards the end of his run on “Cheers.” The actor spoke candidly about the transition he went through after the hit sitcom aired its last episode of the eleventh season in 1993.
The actor shared that at first he did not realize the show was over, admitting that he “had f-cked up my life so much” and “barely knew myself.” Danson decided to pour into his personal growth by taking a “postgrad grow-up class” during the last year he was on the show.
The TV personality shared these with listeners on a recent episode of his “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” podcast. He also sought help from his amazing mentor in Long Beach, who gave him “a whole different kind of therapy, spirituality.”
Danson decided that he wanted to change and let go of some old habits. “I wanted to stop being a liar; I wanted to be emotionally mature,” he revealed.
Inside The Actor’s Previous Thoughts About The End Of The Sitcom
Danson spoke on the topic in an August 2025 episode of his podcast, still reflecting on the state of his personal life. He starred as Sam Malone, who is a womanizing former relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, and appeared in all 273 episodes of the TV show.
When asked by his guest on the podcast, Charlie Day, whether he was afraid of being typecast when “Cheers” ended, he responded, “The transition was easy because i blew my personal life up so badly.” Similar to his recent statement, Danson shared that he did not realize the show had ended for a few months because he was focused on dealing with his personal stuff.
According to Page Six, executives decided to pull the plug on “Cheers” when the “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star expressed his desire to pursue other acting opportunities. “If I don’t leave now, I may not know if I could do anything else, and I want to see if I can do any other stuff,” Danson said of his reason for leaving the show.
Ted Danson Revealed His Desire To Remain In The Industry
@hollywoodreporter #teddanson talks about being funny at all ages, and how it hurts more as he’s older | #offscript debuts friday on ifc and amc+ and sunday on thr.com and youtube 📍: the luckman club at soho house west hollywood @sohohouse ♬ original sound – The Hollywood Reporter
Danson, at 78, seems to have no plans for retirement any time soon. He is currently starring in the hit Netflix show, “Man on the Inside,” playing a retired professor who finds himself working as an undercover spy in a nursing home.
During a previous interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the iconic actor was reminded of a statement he made in the past. “I wanna keep working as long as I physically can ’cause I wanna know what it’s like to be funny at every age.” When asked what it feels like to be funny at his age in comparison to his younger days, Danson admitted that “it hurts a little more.”
Sending the room into laughter, the TV star recalled a scene he filmed where he had to run, which turned out to be funny because age is already telling on him. Despite nature taking its course on Danson’s physical strength, he continues to remain active on projects in the industry.
‘The Good Place’ Star Feels ‘Awkward’ About On-Screen Romance
The TV personality appeared during an interview with his wife Mary Steenburgen, where they were asked if their real-life bubbling love affects their ability to play love interests in front of the cameras.
In response to whether they found it easier or harder to engage in on-screen romantic scenes, Danson said it was easier for him because he isn’t crazy about love scenes with strangers. The “Today” show host who asked the question chimed in, saying that the actor’s response was a “good answer sitting next to [his] wife.”
However, the actor clarified that his answer had nothing to do with Steenburgen’s presence in the interview. He stressed that he feels uncomfortable with intimate scenes because “You feel guilty and awkward and it’s wrong.”
Ted Danson Recalled A Highly Controversial Moment Of His Career
Last month, Danson reflected on a moment that sparked heavy backlash during his decades-long career. Back in 1993, the TV star stepped out in blackface and uttered racist slurs at the roast of Whoopi Goldberg.
The twist in the story was that he was romantically involved with Goldberg at the time while still married to his ex-wife, producer Casey Coates. Goldberg was roasted at the members-only New York Friars Club, and Danson, with blackface makeup and exaggerated lips, made jest of their sex life and even used the n-word during his set.
The Blast shared that the actor expressed remorse for his actions, stating that he wants to “apologize for the rest of his life” to his then-lover. However, Goldberg previously revealed that she did not find Danson’s jokes offensive despite the backlash he received from other entertainers.
What other resolutions did life after “Cheers” spring on Ted Danson?
