Actor Ted Danson revealed during a recent podcast interview that personal turmoil overshadowed the conclusion of the hit television sitcom Cheers in 1993, leaving him barely aware that the iconic series had ended.
Danson starred as Sam Malone for 11 seasons on the show, appearing in each of its 273 episodes alongside ensemble cast members Kelsey Grammer, George Wendt, John Ratzenberger, Woody Harrelson, and Rhea Perlman.
Speaking on his podcast, Where Everybody Knows Your Name, the 78-year-old actor detailed the personal upheaval that coincided with his departure from the series, which ultimately led producers to end the show.
"People say, 'What was it like? What did you do when she was over?'
I said, 'I had f***ed up my life so much that I didn't even realize Cheers was over,'" Danson said.
The actor explained that he barely knew himself during the final year of production, driving to Long Beach to seek guidance from a mentor who provided a unique form of therapy and spirituality.
"I wanted to stop being a liar," Danson said.
He noted that he sought emotional maturity and was determined to make fundamental changes in his life.
"I wanted to be emotionally mature. I wanted to change," Danson said.
Danson previously addressed the chaotic period in an August 2025 episode of his podcast during a discussion with guest Charlie Day regarding fears of career typecasting.
"The transition was easy because I blew my personal life up so badly," Danson said.
During the final stage of the sitcom, Danson was undergoing a divorce from his second wife, Cassandra Coates, following an extramarital relationship with co-star Whoopi Goldberg after filming the 1993 feature film Made in America.
Network executives decided to terminate the series after Danson chose to leave to pursue other acting projects.
"I was changing for the better and working really hard at that, so I thought, 'Might as well jump completely off the cliff,'" Danson said.
He added that he felt compelled to test whether he could succeed outside the sitcom structure.
"And [there was] a little bit of ...
'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.
Reflecting on his original casting, Danson credited his co-star Shelley Long for helping him secure the lead role through repeated chemistry reads.
"Shelley and I kept being paired over and over again.
And I do think a big reason why I got Cheers was cause I was paired with Shelley.
100 percent," Danson said.
He described her as a fully developed character right out of the game during audition reads.
"Cause she was like a full-blown character out of the game," Danson said.
Danson admitted that he initially doubted her suitability for the role before realizing his mistake.
"I thought she would be the worst choice for this part," Danson said.
He acknowledged his misjudgment regarding her initial fit for the character.
"Cause I'm an idiot," Danson said.
Danson explained that their starkly contrasting acting methods created significant tension on set.
"Our styles of acting, our styles of being were so different that it was almost sometimes hard for me to be in the same room with her," Danson said.
Despite their differences, Danson emphasized the strong mutual care that made their dynamic effective.
"We cared for each other a lot," Danson said.
He described working alongside Long on the set as an extraordinary experience.
"F***ing magic," Danson said.
Danson subsequently established a long career with prominent roles in Becker, Curb Your Enthusiasm, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Good Place, and the Netflix series Man on the Inside.
In November 2024, Danson commented on his role in the Netflix series, where he portrays a retired professor working as a covert investigator.
"There's something inherently funny about a 76-year-old man who is a [retired] college professor, his life shut down, his daughter's worried.
So, she says, 'Get a project,' and he happens to whimsically find a project where he becomes an undercover spy in a retirement home," Danson said.
Danson met actress Mary Steenburgen in 1993 on the set of Pontiac Moon after previously auditioning together in 1983, later marrying in October 1995.
In a November 2018 interview with People, Steenburgen reflected on the timing of their relationship, noting that both had confronted personal issues prior to meeting.
"We met when we were 40 and 45, and we had lived a bit," Steenburgen said.
Steenburgen noted that both had navigated personal obstacles before coming together.
"We met at a time when both of us had stared down some demons within ourselves and that was lucky that we met then," Steenburgen said.
She expressed her deep commitment to their ongoing marriage.
"[Our love] just gets more profound and deeper as we go through the blessings and joys, but also the hurdles, of life together," Steenburgen said.
She affirmed her devotion to her husband in the same interview.
"I would literally sign up for 100 more lifetimes with him," Steenburgen said.
Steenburgen later reaffirmed her feelings in a February 2021 interview with People, describing the profound impact of their relationship.
"Everyone I've ever loved has taught me so much, but I feel like my life really began when I found him," Steenburgen said.
Danson told People in January 2025 that he made a deliberate choice to mature before meeting Steenburgen.
"I had, about a year before [I met her], decided I want to become a more emotionally mature, honest human being," Danson said.
At her 2009 Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, Danson publicly praised Steenburgen's balance of family and professional responsibilities.
"Everyone who knows Mary, knows she loves to act," Danson said.
He expressed admiration for her ability to handle all aspects of her life.
"But what I admire most about you is the grace with which you have balanced your family, your friends, your children, and your career ...
I'm so proud to be your husband and I love you so much," Danson said.
During a November 2013 musical performance at Vibrato Bar & Grill in Los Angeles, Steenburgen addressed the stress of performing live at age 60.
"There's just a total boatload of crazy that goes with singing live for the first time when you're 60 years old," Steenburgen said.
She offered a humorous public apology to her husband during the performance.
"So I want to publicly apologize to Mr. Ted Danson for anything I might have said in the last week.
In general it's been pretty nuts at our house," Steenburgen said.
Addressing their relationship in a January 2021 interview with ET, Danson summarized their mutual affection and respect.
"I'm in love. We're in love.
That handles a lot. We make each other laugh.
I admire her," Danson said.
Danson concluded by expressing his deep admiration for his wife.
"If I could be a woman, I'd want," Danson said.
