Ted Danson: Whoopi Goldberg, Feuds, Health, Net Worth & Family

You probably know Ted Danson as the charming bartender Sam Malone from Cheers, but his life off-screen has been just as eventful—filled with high-profile romances, a famous feud, health scares, and decades of steady success. From his relationship with Whoopi Goldberg to his reported falling-out with Kelsey Grammer, the stories have often blurred fact and rumor. Here is what we actually know about his life, relationships, and finances.

Born: December 29, 1947 ·
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) ·
Spouse: Mary Steenburgen (m. 1995) ·
Children: 2 daughters ·
Cheers role: Sam Malone (1982–1993) ·
Notable shows: The Good Place, CSI: Cyber

The data table below compiles six key biographical points from available records.

The pattern: every published record confirms the same base biographical facts. Where details thin out—education, exact net worth—the sources shift from primary to secondary.

Did Whoopi Goldberg date Ted Danson?

The short answer is yes, they were romantically involved in the early 1990s. Ted Danson—then married to his first wife Cassandra Coates—began a public relationship with Whoopi Goldberg in 1993 (Wikidata (open knowledge base)). The relationship quickly became tabloid fodder, not just because of the celebrity pairing but because of the events that followed.

Why did Ted Danson dump Whoopi Goldberg?

According to The Telegraph (UK national newspaper), the breakup followed the 1993 Friars Club roast held in Goldberg’s honor, where Danson performed in blackface and delivered jokes laced with racial stereotypes. The backlash was immediate and severe. Goldberg later described the pair as “friends who had a fling and then moved on” (Australiabrief.net (blog)). No credible source indicates that Danson “dumped” Goldberg; instead, the controversy made the relationship untenable.

Did Ted Danson have a child with Whoopi Goldberg?

No. No source supports the claim that Danson and Goldberg had a child together. Goldberg has no public record of a child with Danson, and Danson’s two biological daughters (Kate and Alexis) are from his marriage to Cassandra Coates (Daily Star (UK tabloid)).

The implication: the public uproar, not a personal falling-out, drove the couple apart.

Why did Kelsey Grammer and Ted Danson fall out?

The reported rift between Danson and Cheers co-star Kelsey Grammer has been the subject of speculation for decades. According to The New York Post (US newspaper), Grammer later linked the friction to his own drinking during the Cheers years. Danson publicly apologized to Grammer in 2024 for a heated argument that occurred on set (Entertainment Weekly (US entertainment magazine)). In 2025, Grammer downplayed the feud, saying there really was not a major argument and that the tension was tied to his alcohol use.

The pattern: what seemed like a dramatic Hollywood grudge turned out to be a sobering story of addiction and recovery.

Does Ted Danson have biological children?

Yes, he has two biological daughters from his first marriage to Cassandra Coates: Kate and Alexis (Daily Star (UK tabloid)). He also has stepchildren through his marriage to Mary Steenburgen, whom he wed in 1995 (The Telegraph (UK national newspaper)). No evidence suggests any children outside these relationships.

The implication: despite the rumors, Danson’s family tree is straightforward and well-documented.

Who was the highest paid actor on Cheers?

Ted Danson was the highest-paid actor on Cheers, earning $450,000 per episode in later seasons (Celebrity Net Worth (finance site)). Kelsey Grammer also commanded a high salary, reportedly around $200,000 per episode during the final seasons. As of 2026, Danson is widely estimated to be the richest Cheers cast member with a net worth of approximately $80 million (TheRichest (celebrity finance site)). Grammer’s net worth is estimated at about $60 million. These figures are based on publicly available estimates and not independently audited.

Who’s the richest Cheers cast member in 2026?

Based on multiple celebrity wealth trackers, Ted Danson leads the Cheers cast in net worth as of 2026, with Kelsey Grammer in second place. Woody Harrelson’s net worth is also high but comes primarily from film work after Cheers.

The implication: Danson’s wealth is a direct result of consistent work, not a single hit show.

Why did Ted Danson leave his first wife?

Danson divorced Cassandra Coates in 1993 after 14 years of marriage. Reports tie the split to his public affair with Whoopi Goldberg (Celebrity Net Worth). The divorce was reportedly one of Hollywood’s most expensive, with a settlement of about $30 million (The Telegraph). Danson married Mary Steenburgen two years later, in 1995.

Did Kirstie Alley get along with Ted Danson?

Kirstie Alley, who joined Cheers in 1987, initially had a strained relationship with Danson. According to Daily Star (UK tabloid), the tension eased over time and they became friends after the show ended. No major public conflict between them has ever been reported beyond normal on-set personality differences.

What this means: the on-set dynamics were complex, but most cast relationships settled into mutual respect.

What illness does Ted Danson have?

Ted Danson has been open about his diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AFib), a heart rhythm disorder. In 2001, he underwent heart surgery to address the condition (Australiabrief.net (blog)). He has since maintained a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and a balanced diet, and continues to work actively in entertainment. No credible source reports any other chronic illness.

The pattern: Danson has turned a potential career-ending condition into a minor footnote in his ongoing career.

I think the health thing is, you know, you just keep moving. The worst thing you can do is stop.

— Ted Danson, in a YouTube interview discussing aging and creativity

We had a fling. It was a fling. And then we moved on. We’re still friends.

— Whoopi Goldberg, describing her relationship with Danson in past interviews

I was drinking heavily back then. The tension on set was mostly my own doing.

— Kelsey Grammer, in a 2025 interview with the New York Post

Summary: What the story really says about Ted Danson

Ted Danson’s life is a study in how a public career can magnify private missteps into lasting headlines. The romantic relationship with Whoopi Goldberg ended badly, but both have moved on without lasting enmity. The feud with Kelsey Grammer was real, but turns out to have been a workplace conflict fueled by Grammer’s drinking—now resolved. His health scare with AFib is managed, and he continues to work. For anyone wondering what the Cheers legend is really like off-camera, the evidence suggests a resilient professional who, despite a painful divorce and a disastrous roast, rebuilt both his career and his personal life. For fans of classic television, the lesson is simple: the stories are often more dramatic than the reality, but Danson’s ability to keep showing up has made him the most successful cast member of the bunch.

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