From Cheers To Forever: The Full Timeline Of Ted Danson's 3 Marriages And 30-Year Love Story

The romantic life of legendary actor Ted Danson is as storied and complex as his decades-long career, which has seen him star in iconic shows like *Cheers*, *The Good Place*, and *Curb Your Enthusiasm*. As of the current date in late 2025, Danson is celebrating a remarkable milestone—three decades of marriage to his beloved wife, actress Mary Steenburgen, a partnership that Hollywood once thought impossible given the tumultuous end of his previous relationship. This deep dive explores the full, dramatic timeline of Ted Danson’s three journeys down the aisle, the massive scandal that preceded his current happiness, and the secret to his enduring, successful third act in love. The narrative of Ted Danson’s love life is a fascinating study in transformation, moving from youthful marriage and a complicated second union to finding a soulmate connection later in life. His three marriages span over five decades, each chapter offering a unique perspective on commitment, Hollywood pressures, and personal growth. The most recent news confirms that his bond with Mary Steenburgen is stronger than ever, with the couple having recently received a major humanitarian award, cementing their status as a true Hollywood power couple.

Edward Bridge Danson III: The Biography and Profile

Before diving into the details of his three marriages, here is a complete profile of the celebrated American actor, Edward Bridge Danson III.

• Full Name: Edward Bridge Danson III
• Date of Birth: December 29, 1947
• Age (as of late 2025): 77
• Place of Birth: San Diego, California, U.S.
• Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
• Net Worth: Estimated to be around $60–80 million, primarily from his roles as Sam Malone on *Cheers* and Michael on *The Good Place*.
• Career Highlights: Starred in *Cheers* (1982–1993), *Becker* (1998–2004), *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2011–2015), and *The Good Place* (2016–2020). He is an Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner.
• Current Spouse: Mary Steenburgen (m. 1995)
• Children: Two daughters, Kate Danson and Alexis Danson (adopted), from his second marriage. He also has two step-children with Mary Steenburgen.

The First Two Marriages: Randy Gosch and Casey Coates

Ted Danson’s journey to lasting love was marked by two earlier marriages that ended in divorce, each providing a stark contrast to his current relationship. These formative years were crucial in shaping the man who would eventually find happiness with Mary Steenburgen.

First Wife: Randall 'Randy' Gosch (1970–1975)

The actor’s first trip down the aisle was in 1970, when he married actress Randall 'Randy' Gosch. The two had met while they were undergraduates, a common start for many young couples. This first marriage was relatively short-lived, lasting only five years before the couple decided to divorce in 1975. Little is publicly known about this period, as it predates Danson’s rise to stardom as the iconic Sam Malone on *Cheers*.

Second Wife: Casey Coates (1977–1993)

Danson’s second marriage to producer Cassandra "Casey" Coates was a far more public and dramatic affair. They married in 1977, and their union faced a significant and tragic challenge early on. Shortly after the birth of their first daughter, Kate Danson, in 1979, Coates suffered a stroke that left her partially paralyzed. Danson took a four-year hiatus from acting to care for his wife and daughter, a testament to his commitment at the time. The couple later adopted a second daughter, Alexis Danson. Their marriage lasted for 16 years, enduring through the height of Danson’s *Cheers* fame. However, the marriage dissolved in 1993 amidst a major public scandal involving his co-star. The divorce was one of the costliest in Hollywood history at the time, reportedly resulting in a $30 million settlement paid to Coates.

The Controversial Interlude: The Whoopi Goldberg Affair

Between his second and third marriages, Ted Danson was involved in a highly publicized, controversial relationship with actress and comedian Whoopi Goldberg. This affair began while Danson was still married to Casey Coates, leading to the end of his second marriage and creating a tabloid firestorm. The relationship with Whoopi Goldberg, his co-star in the 1993 film *Made in America*, was a significant cultural moment, largely due to the intense media scrutiny of their interracial romance. The controversy reached its peak when Danson appeared in blackface at a Friars Club roast for Goldberg in 1993, a move that drew widespread condemnation and was widely panned as racially insensitive. The relationship between Danson and Goldberg was short-lived, lasting only about a year, and ended under the weight of public pressure and the fallout from the affair and the subsequent scandal. Importantly, Ted Danson and Whoopi Goldberg were never married. This period marked a low point in Danson’s public life but ultimately paved the way for his future happiness.

The Third Time's the Charm: An Enduring Love with Mary Steenburgen

Ted Danson’s third and current marriage to actress Mary Steenburgen is widely regarded as one of Hollywood’s most successful and enduring partnerships. Their story is a classic example of a friendship blossoming into a deep, lasting love.

A Second Chance Meeting

Danson and Steenburgen first met in 1983, a decade before their romance began, when Danson auditioned unsuccessfully for a role in a film Steenburgen was starring in. At the time, both were married to other people—Danson to Casey Coates and Steenburgen to actor Malcolm McDowell. Their true connection was forged years later on the set of the 1994 film *Pontiac Moon*, where they played a married couple. Steenburgen has described their relationship as not being "love at first sight," but rather a "gradual getting to know who a person was." A pivotal moment occurred during a canoe trip with friends, where their bond deepened significantly.

The Wedding and the Milestone Anniversary

Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen got engaged in February 1995 and were married on October 7, 1995, in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. In late 2025, the couple is celebrating their remarkable 30th wedding anniversary, a testament to their enduring commitment and affection. They often speak publicly about their mutual admiration, with Danson calling Steenburgen "the most beautiful woman in the world" and Steenburgen describing their life as "a dream."

A Blended Family and Shared Values

While Danson and Steenburgen have no biological children together, they successfully blended their families. Danson brought his two daughters, Kate and Alexis, and Steenburgen brought her two children, Lilly and Charlie McDowell, from her previous marriage. Beyond their acting careers, they are both heavily involved in environmental activism and philanthropy. In a major recent update, they were jointly awarded the prestigious Bob Hope Humanitarian Award at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2025, recognizing their extensive charitable work and public service, further cementing their legacy as a couple dedicated to making a difference. Their relationship, which began after a period of intense personal turmoil for Danson, proves that for this Hollywood veteran, the third marriage truly was the charm.

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