Ted Danson Thanks ‘Cheers’ Costars During Golden Globes Speech: ‘The Reason Why I’m Standing Here’
Danson’s wife, Mary Steenburgen, also took the time to praise her husband, calling his work ‘extraordinary’
Ted Danson is ready to return to his roots. In a recent speech given at the 2025 Golden Globe Awards preshow ceremony, the Golden Gala, the actor took the time to praise his hit 1980s sitcom Cheers, crediting his success to the show’s talented cast and crew. Read on to learn about Danson’s heartfelt speech and the award he received.
Ted Danson praises ‘Cheers’ at The Golden Globes
On Friday, January 3, Danson received the Carol Burnett Award at the Golden Globes’ annual Golden Gala, honoring his decades-long acting career.
The beloved actor learned he would receive this honor in December 2024 from Helen Hoehne, President of the Golden Globes. His moment in the sun came two days before the Golden Globe Awards.
“I have to admit, I’ve always had a confusing relationship with awards. If I win, I feel a little embarrassed and lonely. If I don’t win, I feel a little embarrassed and lonely,” Danson began, before taking the time to praise Burnett, his longtime friend. “But not tonight. Not tonight. I am so thrilled to get this award, Carol. I cannot tell you how much it means to me. You have brought so much joy and happiness into households all over the world. You radiate kindness. I love you so much.”
Following that, Burnett shouted from her place off stage, “I love you” to Danson, causing her to win a few laughs from the audience.
Danson then took the time to thank his professional team, friends and family before deciding to let everyone know that even now, he was still thinking about his time on the Cheers set.
“I wouldn’t be standing here if we weren’t asked to work with the creators of Cheers,” Danson said. “For 11 years on, I got to go to work every day and giggle with my friends Shelley Long, Kirstie Alley, Rhea Perlman, George Wendt, John Ratzenberger, Kelsey Grammer and Woody Harrelson.”
“They are also the reason why I’m standing here,” he continued. “As Sam Malone said, ‘I truly am the luckiest son of a b*tch.”
The Carol Burnett Award was given to Danson by his wife of nearly 30 years, Mary Steenburgen, who is also involved in show business.
“To him, all of you at the Golden Globes should know, receiving the Carol Burnett Award is like being allowed into creativity heaven,” Steenburgen said in her speech. “Because whether it’s The Good Place or Man on the Inside, Fargo, Damages, Bored to Death, Becker, Cheers or the extraordinary podcast he does with Woody Harrelson, he, like Carol Burnett, has always known that it’s a precious honor to take people on a journey through television.”
What Ted Danson is up to now
When he’s not accepting Golden Globe awards, Danson can either be found with his wife and kids or on set. His most recent project—A Man on the Inside—debuted on Netflix in November 2024 and was nominated for several Golden Globe awards.
“It was such a joy to turn up every day on set and have Ted set the tone for the day because he’s so kind. He’s so generous,” Danson’s co-star, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, told Woman’s World in 2024. “He shows up having all his stuff unlocked, which is incredible because the man’s in his 70s, and he has a lot to say in the show.”
She also added that Danson is “so obsessed with his wife [Steenburgen]. He talks about her all the time.”
You can watch A Man on the Inside on Netflix now.
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