Hollywood couple Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen are proving that lasting love is possible—even in show business.
The two actors, who have been married since 1995, are starring together again in the second season of “Man on the Inside.” And according to Danson, working alongside his wife has only deepened his affection for her.
“We’re nauseatingly in love,” Danson said with a laugh during a recent episode of SiriusXM’s Where Everybody Knows Your Name podcast, which he co-hosts with Woody Harrelson. He went on to describe how meaningful it is to act alongside Mary. “To sit there on camera and look into your wife’s eyes… it’s pretty astounding.”
Danson says the experience of acting together has made them feel like they’re falling in love all over again. “Oh, it’s just magical,” he shared. “I’m just head-over-heels in love with her.”
Their love story began over 40 years ago when they first met on the set of a movie. They eventually tied the knot in 1995, blending their families—each brought two children from previous marriages—and have been inseparable ever since.
When asked about the challenges of working together as a couple, Danson gave a heartfelt and humble response. “I realized part of my job is to host my wife,” he said. “If she doesn’t have a wonderful time, that’s on me. That’s just my attitude.”
For Steenburgen, her early impression of Danson was far from what he turned out to be. She once thought he might be a “slick” ladies’ man, thanks to his charming character on Cheers. But she quickly learned how wrong she was.
“Slick guys don’t say ‘gosh-a-rooni’ after making love,” she joked in an interview with People earlier this year. “I’d like to apologize to my granddaughters.”
She also praised Danson’s kind heart and the joy he brings to the people he works with. “He’s just so loving and takes such joy in acting,” she said. “I also fell in love with the sort of father he is… Ted loves his daughters with all his heart and had space to love my Lilly and Charlie just as well. It’s pretty thrilling to go through life with Ted Danson.”
Their secret to staying close? Mornings. The couple wakes up together at 4:30 a.m. to enjoy coffee, chat, laugh, and even play Wordle and other games—whether they’re in the same house or miles apart.
“The most fun is the early mornings,” Danson said. “To both of us, it’s like heaven on Earth.”
For fans looking for a sweet example of enduring love, Ted and Mary are a reminder that marriage can grow deeper with time, especially when you choose to serve one another with love, humility, and a good sense of humor.