Ted Danson is back on our screens with a brand new comedy series, ‘A Man on the Inside,’ which debuted on Netflix on November 21, 2024. Created by Michael Schur, it stars Danson as a retiree-turned-amateur investigator.
Renowned for his roles in ‘Cheers’ and ‘The Good Place,’ Ted Danson has had quite the journey when it comes to relationships. He’s had a fair share of ups and downs, with some public drama, personal growth, and an eventual happy ending. He’s been open about his past, admitting he wasn’t always mature or honest in his earlier days.
While Ted Danson does not have a daughter with Whoopi Goldberg, they were briefly a couple in the early ’90s, and both have kids from other relationships. Here’s a closer look at his personal life and all its twists and turns:
Ted Danson’s Early Marriages and Family Life
Ted Danson tied the knot with his first wife, Randy Danson (formerly Gosch), back in 1970 when he was just 23. They were together for five years before splitting up in 1975. A couple of years later, he married Casey Coates, who worked as a producer and environmental designer.
Things started off great, but life threw them a curveball in 1979 when Casey had a stroke while giving birth to their daughter, Kate. The stroke left her partially paralyzed, and it was a tough time for both of them.
Ted stepped away from acting for a while to help take care of her, making it clear where his priorities lie. Later on, they adopted another daughter, Alexis. Despite their efforts to make things work, the challenges that came with Casey’s recovery put a strain on their relationship.
The Whoopi Goldberg Affair and Scandal
Back in the early ‘90s, Ted Danson’s life took a major turn. While he was still married to Casey, he started seeing Whoopi Goldberg, the actress and comedian he’d first met on ‘The Arsenio Hall Show’ in 1988. Their friendship grew closer while working together on the 1993 movie ‘Made in America,’ and it eventually turned romantic. Even though they tried to keep it low-key, the affair went public.
The news rocked Ted and Casey’s marriage, leading to their divorce in 1993 after 16 years together. It wasn’t just emotionally tough—it was also one of the most expensive splits in Hollywood, with Casey reportedly walking away with a $30 million settlement. She got custody of their two daughters, Kate and Alexis, too.
Ted and Whoopi’s relationship lasted about 18 months. Though they seemed to carry a strong bond at first, the public attention and family pressures took their toll, and they eventually called it quits. Whoopi later admitted she regretted losing Ted as a friend, stating it was a personal loss on top of all the drama. Of all her exes, Ted was the one she never stayed friends with, and the whole thing left a lasting impression on both of them.
The Controversial Roast
Back in 1993, Ted took part in a controversial Friars Club roast of Whoopi Goldberg. His use of blackface and racially charged jokes stirred up a lot of outrage. While Whoopi defended him at the time, admitting she’d helped with some of the jokes, the backlash seemed to put a strain on their relationship. Not long after, Ted and Whoopi called it quits.
Ted Danson’s Transformation and New Beginnings
Ted Danson has looked back on that rough patch as a big turning point in his life. In interviews, he admitted that, in his younger years, he was emotionally immature and didn’t handle relationships well. After his divorce and breaking up with Whoopi Goldberg, Ted turned to therapy and mentorship to work on himself. Even though it was a tough and very public time, he sees it as crucial to his personal growth.
By 1995, Ted found lasting love with actress Mary Steenburgen, whom he met while filming ‘Pontiac Moon’ in 1993. At the time, both had sworn off relationships, but their connection was too strong to ignore. Ted also became a stepdad to Mary’s two kids, Lilly and Charlie, from her previous marriage to actor Malcolm McDowell. Ted and Mary’s marriage has been a source of stability for both of them, and they celebrated their 29th anniversary in 2024.
Whoopi Goldberg’s Life After the Affair
Whoopi Goldberg also moved on, but her perspective of relationships was never the same. After a brief marriage to Lyle Trachtenberg in 1994, she realized marriage just wasn’t her thing. She’s since described herself as someone who values independence and prefers relationships without the usual strings attached. Even with the controversies around her romance with Ted, Whoopi continued to build a successful career and embraced her independent lifestyle.
Ted Danson’s Perspective on His Journey
Ted looked back on his past with some embarrassment and regret, calling it a “messy” time in his life. But he also admitted it helped him grow and learn. He sees his relationship with Mary Steenburgen as the highlight of his journey toward emotional maturity and happiness. Their strong bond is proof that love can be resilient and redemption is always possible.
Whoopi Goldberg and Ted Danson: Marriages and Family Dynamics
Ted Danson’s relationships left him with a blended family. He married actress Randall “Randy” Gosch in 1970 before divorcing in 1975. He shared no kids with his first wife, but with his second spouse Casey Coates (1977-1993), he has two daughters: Kate Danson, born in 1979, and Alexis Danson, whom they adopted. He later exchanged vows for the third time with Mary Steenburgen (1995-present). Danson is a stepfather to her two children, Lilly McDowell and Charlie McDowell.
Whoopi Goldberg, too, has been married three times, but all ended in divorce. She tied the knot with Alvin Martin in 1973 when she was just 18, and they had a daughter, Alex Martin, before splitting up in 1979. Seven years later, she married Dutch cinematographer David Claessen in 1986, but that marriage lasted only two years. Her third and final marriage was to Lyle Trachtenberg in 1994, but it didn’t even make it past a year.
