Ted Danson Says He Was Surprised Women Saw Him as a Sex Symbol During Early Cheers Years

Ted Danson recalled that it took him years to fully understand his appeal as a sex symbol while starring on “Cheers.” In a recent episode of his podcast “Where Everybody Knows Your Name,” the 78-year-old actor spoke with Lisa Ann Walter about the moment he realized women and fans saw him as a “hottie.” Danson said that early in his career he was genuinely surprised by the attention, admitting that he would react with disbelief when faced with compliments or admiration about his looks. He joked that it was not until the second year of “Cheers” that he decided to stop questioning it and simply accept the image the show had created for him.

Danson explained that when people told him he was “so sexy and so funny,” he believed much of that perception came from the way “Cheers” was written and cast. He said the series often placed very attractive women opposite his character, Sam Malone, making his role as the charming bar owner seem even more appealing. Walter responded that even if Danson did not personally feel like a heartthrob, he was still “selling it,” and that his screen presence went beyond the supporting cast around him.

“Cheers” launched Danson into stardom, with the actor playing Sam Malone from 1982 to 1993. The role earned him two Emmy Awards for lead actor in a comedy and made him one of television’s most recognizable faces. Danson later said that his decision to leave the sitcom after 11 seasons came from a desire to grow and test himself in other roles. He explained that he felt he was changing as a person and wanted to “jump completely off the cliff” to see if he could succeed beyond the show that defined him.

After leaving “Cheers,” Danson built a long and varied career across film and television. He appeared in movies including “Pontiac Moon” and “Saving Private Ryan,” and starred in TV series such as “Becker,” “Damages,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.” He later found renewed popularity with younger audiences through “The Good Place,” where he played the demon Michael, a performance that brought him three Emmy nominations.

Danson has spoken warmly about the lasting impact of “The Good Place,” saying he appreciated hearing from children and parents who watched the series together. He described being grateful to have been part of a show that was funny, uplifting, and meaningful. He is currently starring in Netflix’s “Man on the Inside,” playing a retired professor who becomes a spy, continuing a career that has stretched from classic network sitcom fame to contemporary streaming success.