Inside Ted Danson's love life: his relationships with Whoopi Goldberg, Mary Steenburgen and more

Publish date: 2024-07-02

Ted Danson has had quite the television career! After making a name for himself in the '80s sitcom Cheers, the 75-year-old actor has remained a permanent fixture on TV, starring in the likes of Three Men and a Baby, The Good Place, and more recently, the NBC sitcom Mr Mayor.

But how much do you know about the actor's life away from the cameras? Find out more about Ted Danson's love life - including his controversial affair with Whoopi Goldberg - here...

WATCH: The trailer for Ted Danson's sitcom Mr Mayor

Who was Ted Danson's first wife?

Ted got hitched for the first time at the age of 23 to actress Randall 'Randy' Gosch. The two met while undergraduate students and said 'I do' before they even graduated. However, as both of their acting careers took off, the couple lost their connection and their marriage fell apart. Sadly, after only four years together, Randy and Ted called it quits

MORE: Mr Mayor star Ted Danson discusses getting arrested with Jane Fonda

What happened to Ted Danson's second wife Cassandra Coates?

Ted tied the knot with his second wife, producer Cassandra 'Casey' Coates in 1977 and the two welcomed their first daughter together two years later. However, complications during childbirth left Casey paralyzed on one side.

Ted spent several years caring for Casey and they later adopted another daughter together, but the strain of the injury created a "huge rift" between the two. "We were adjusting to the fact that we weren't the same people we were before it happened," Ted explained to Closer in 2018.

What happened between Ted Danson and Whoopi Goldberg?

While still married to Cassandra, Ted was cast alongside The View co-host Whoopi Goldberg in the 1992 movie Made in America and the two began an affair. While the co-stars attempted to keep their relationship a secret, tabloids soon got wind of it and word got back to Casey who swiftly filed for divorce from The Cheers star. In the settlement, his ex-wife managed to walk away with $30 million, making it one of the most expensive celebrity divorces of the time.

New couple Ted and Whoopi embraced the limelight and were often papped out and about together - but their relationship didn't last long, and after just 18 months of dating the two split.

MORE: Inside Ted Danson and Whoopi Goldberg's secret relationship

Are Ted Danson and Whoopi Goldberg still friends?

Sadly, it doesn't appear as if the pair have been able to stay friends. Commenting on their relationship and subsequent break-up, Whoopi told Closer in : "It was really painful, and it was very public. And the loss of his friendship hurts a great deal. We can never go and have a soda, anywhere," adding: "I'm friends with almost every man I've gone out with, except this man."

Who is Ted Danson's wife Mary Steenburgen?

Following his whirlwind romance with Whoopi, Ted quickly found love again - this time for good. On the set of his next major movie, Pontiac Moon, he met the actress Mary Steenburgen. After just over a year of dating, Ted popped the question and in 1995 the two were married, making the Mr Mayor actor stepfather to Mary's two children from her previous marriage to actor Malcolm McDowell.

Ted opened up about his and Mary's 25-year marriage on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, revealing how they spent the milestone anniversary. He told host Ellen he and Mary's families, including her son Charlie McDowell who married the actress Lily Collins in 2021, all got tested for COVID before getting together for a "great little celebration".

In March 2023, Mary's ex-husband Malcolm told People that he is very close to and supportive of the couple. "They're a wonderful couple," he said, while also gushing about how much he enjoys spending time with them at extended family events.