How Ted Danson Built an $80 Million Fortune: Inside the Life and Earnings of TV’s Beloved Star

Quick Facts

Full Name: Edward Bridge Danson III
Date of Birth: December 29, 1947
Place of Birth: San Diego, California, USA
Occupation: Actor, Producer, Author, Environmental Activist
Net Worth: Approximately $80 million (2025)
Famous For: Sam Malone on Cheers, roles on Becker, CSI, The Good Place
Highest TV Salary: $450,000 per episode during Cheers final seasons
Annual Residual Income: Around $5 million from syndication and reruns
Marital Status: Married to Mary Steenburgen since 1995
Children: Two daughters from previous marriage, two stepchildren
Real Estate Holdings: Multiple homes in California, Tennessee, and Martha’s Vineyard valued over $20 million
Philanthropy: Co-founder and director of Oceana, ocean conservation nonprofit
Awards: 2 Emmy Awards, 3 Golden Globe Awards, Hollywood Walk of Fame star

From Desert Roots to Stardom: Early Years of Ted Danson

Ted Danson’s journey to stardom is far from the usual Hollywood fairytale. Born on December 29, 1947, in San Diego, California, Ted was raised mostly in Flagstaff, Arizona. His father was an archaeologist and museum director, cultivating a childhood filled with intellectual curiosity and appreciation for culture and history. Despite growing up far from the ocean, Ted developed a lifelong fascination with marine life, a passion that would later guide much of his philanthropic efforts.

Ted Danson

During his teenage years, Ted Danson attended the Kent School in Connecticut, where he distinguished himself as a talented basketball player. But it was his burgeoning love for theater that led him to Stanford University. Realizing he needed more focused training, he transferred to Carnegie Mellon University, graduating in 1972 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama.

Early Career: Small Roles and Steady Progress

Like many actors, Ted’s early career involved a series of guest spots, soap opera roles, and commercials. His first paid role was on the daytime soap Somerset from 1975 to 1976, followed by a stint on The Doctors in 1977. His distinctive charisma soon made him a recognizable face in commercials, including a memorable campaign as the “Aramis Man” for Estee Lauder.

Ted Danson guested on Taxi as a hairstylist who gives Elaine a hairstyle that she hates ("The Unkindest Cut" S4E18)

Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, Ted built up his TV résumé with guest appearances on popular shows such as Taxi, Magnum P.I., and Laverne and Shirley. But it was his casting as Sam Malone on NBC’s Cheers in 1982 that truly launched his career into the stratosphere.

Cheers and the Big Payday: Becoming a TV Icon

Cheers was initially a modest success, but by the mid-1980s, it had become one of the most beloved sitcoms on television. Ted’s portrayal of Sam Malone — the charming, womanizing bartender — made him a household name. His talent was recognized with 11 consecutive Emmy nominations and nine Golden Globe nods, earning two of each.

Ted Danson achieved stardom playing the lead character Sam Malone on the NBC sitcom Cheers (1982–1993)

Financially, the role was transformative. By the final seasons of Cheers, Ted earned $450,000 per episode, making him the highest-paid TV actor of the time. That salary translated to roughly $12 million per season, which, when adjusted for inflation, would be about $25 million per season in today’s money. Even decades later, Danson continues to earn an estimated $5 million annually from syndication residuals.

Beyond Cheers: A Versatile and Lucrative Career

Many actors struggle to shake off a defining role, but Ted Danson avoided being pigeonholed by choosing a variety of roles that highlighted his range. From playing the irascible Dr. John Becker in Becker (1998–2004) to the layered billionaire Arthur Frobisher in Damages, he kept his career fresh and financially rewarding.

Between 2011 and 2015, Ted starred as D.B. Russell on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, earning $250,000 per episode for 86 episodes—totaling about $21 million. His later work in CSI: Cyber and NBC’s The Good Place reportedly offered similar per-episode salaries, further expanding his earnings.

Ted starred as D.B. Russell on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, earning $250,000 per episode for 86 episodes

Film Roles: Supplementing the Earnings

While TV was his bread and butter, Ted’s film work helped diversify his income. He starred in popular box office hits like Three Men and a Baby (1987) and its sequel Three Men and a Little Lady (1990), alongside Tom Selleck and Steven Guttenberg. He also appeared in critically acclaimed films such as Saving Private Ryan (1998) and indie features like Hearts Beat Loud (2018).

Although exact film salary details are private, these roles contributed to his financial success and broadened his appeal.

Ted starred Three Men and a Little Lady

Smart Investments and Philanthropy

Outside of acting, Ted has proven himself a savvy investor and philanthropist. He is a co-founder and director of Oceana, a leading nonprofit organization devoted to protecting the world’s oceans. His 2011 book, Oceana: Our Endangered Oceans and What We Can Do To Save Them, emphasizes his deep commitment to environmental causes.

Ted is an active advocate who has participated in climate protests, even facing arrest alongside fellow activist Jane Fonda in 2019. His philanthropic efforts complement his professional work, showing a dedication to making a positive impact beyond the screen.

Ted Danson's Mission to Protect the World's Oceans

Real Estate: A Well-Curated Portfolio

Ted Danson and his wife Mary Steenburgen have built an impressive real estate portfolio worth well over $20 million. Their properties include:

A remodeled 1921 home in Venice, California, purchased for $929,000 in 2013 and later listed at $1.7 million.
A five-bedroom mansion in Santa Monica bought for $3.5 million in 2014, with the neighboring property added for $5.2 million in 2019, forming an expansive private compound.

Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen Santa Monica Home

An estate in Ojai, California, purchased for $4.5 million in 2005 and sold years later for nearly double.

Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen's Former $15.5M Ojai Estate

Additional homes in Nashville, Tennessee, and a sprawling six-acre multi-residence estate on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.

These properties not only serve as luxurious retreats but also reflect a strategic approach to wealth preservation.

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Family Life: Love, Divorce, and Blended Families

Ted’s personal life has seen both joy and challenge. He was first married to Randy Gosch from 1970 to 1975. His second marriage to producer Cassandra “Casey” Coates lasted 15 years and produced two daughters. The divorce was financially significant, reportedly costing Ted $2 million per year of marriage — approximately $30 million total ($50 million when adjusted for inflation).

Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen - Denmark v San Marino in a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying match at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Since 1995, Ted has been happily married to actress Mary Steenburgen. Together, they have blended their families, with Mary’s two children from a previous marriage, Lilly and Charlie McDowell, included. The couple’s strong partnership is reflected in both their personal and philanthropic lives.

Mary Steenburgen and Ted Danson

Lifestyle and Values: Environmentalism and Modesty

Ted Danson’s lifestyle is marked by environmental consciousness and relative modesty. Unlike many Hollywood celebrities, he eschews excessive extravagance, focusing instead on causes close to his heart. His ocean advocacy, especially through Oceana, influences how he lives and spends, favoring sustainability and philanthropy over flashiness.

Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen

Summing Up: A Career and Fortune Built to Last

Ted Danson’s net worth of approximately $80 million is the result of decades of hard work, smart career choices, lucrative contracts, wise investments, and dedicated philanthropy. From his television goldmine on Cheers to continued success in diverse roles, residual income, and real estate, Ted’s financial story is one of steady growth and thoughtful stewardship.

Key Financial Highlights

During the final seasons of Cheers, Ted earned about $450,000 per episode, equating to roughly $12 million per season. Later, his role on CSI paid $250,000 per episode over 86 episodes, totaling around $21 million. He earned similar pay for The Good Place and continues to receive about $5 million yearly from residuals. His divorce settlement with Casey Coates was estimated at $30 million (around $50 million today), and his real estate holdings exceed $20 million in value.