Ted Danson is opening up about a recent health scare that gave him a completely new perspective on life.
The beloved actor, best known for his iconic roles in “Cheers” and “The Good Place,” shared during the Wednesday, May 6 episode of his podcast, “Where Everybody Knows Your Name,” that he recently went through a frightening medical experience that forced him to slow down and reflect.
Danson Opens Up
“The last thing that kind of hit me that was very liberating was I had a bit of a health scare,” Ted said on the podcast. “I’m totally fine, but it was like, ‘Oh, well, that’s real.’”
Though the 78-year-old didn’t reveal specific details about the medical issue, he admitted the experience had a powerful emotional impact. According to Danson, the scare reminded him that mortality is something no one can avoid.
“It’s not just a rumor,” he joked. “‘Ted Danson doesn’t get a free pass. Love his work.’”
The actor explained that the moment was both “humbling” and unexpectedly calming. He noted that the health issue wasn’t caused by any obvious mistake or unhealthy behavior, which made it even more eye-opening.
“While the Emmy winner didn’t share the extent of his health issues, he did note that he ‘hadn’t f–ked up in some way,’ so it all came as a bit of a surprise,” he shared.
Still, Danson said the ordeal ended up becoming a turning point for him.
“It was very humbling and calming, and I’m fine,” he reiterated. “I think it was the best thing that could have happened to me, and I’m doing some things differently.”
One of the biggest changes has been his focus on mindfulness and self-care.
Danson Has Been Married for 30 Years
The actor revealed that he and his wife, actress Mary Steenburgen, have started meditating together twice a day.
“It’s like, wow, I’ve always talked about it,” he quipped, “and lied about it.”
Danson also said the experience shifted the way he interacts with others.
Rather than focusing solely on himself, he now finds greater meaning in listening to and supporting the people around him.
“You can be curious about other people,” he explained. “You can listen and you can be supportive, caring. You can witness them.”
“And I do believe that the rest of my life is to be curious and listen,” Ted said. “That’s the best thing I can offer.”
The actor’s reflections come as he and Steenburgen continue celebrating one of Hollywood’s most enduring marriages.
The couple marked 30 years together in October and have often spoken publicly about their deep connection.
The Two Opened Io On How They Make It Work
In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Steenburgen explained why their relationship has remained so strong over the decades.
“He really knows who I am. He knows the most petty, small, ugly parts of me. And he knows the highest, soulful, aspirational parts of me and somehow loves the whole thing,” she said. “And I’ve been extremely honest with him in this relationship, and that was important to me — and we both feel that.”
Danson also admitted that when disagreements happen, he’s usually the one at fault.
“The only time we fight or get angry with each other is when I am wrong,” he joked.
“She’ll point something out to me that disappointed or angered or hurt her feelings or something, and I just refuse to be that person,” he explained. “‘No, I’m not that person that you just described,’ and so I argue and resist until I finally go, ‘Yeah, yeah. That’s me.’”
