Ted Danson Movies and TV Shows: Full List and Guide

Ted Danson has been a fixture on American television for over four decades, first as Sam Malone the bartender on Cheers (1982–1993) and most recently as Charles in Netflix’s A Man on the Inside (2024). His career spans sitcoms, neo-noir thrillers, and Emmy-nominated dramas with remarkably consistent critical and popular success. Let’s dig into the complete picture.

Cheers episodes: 269 (1982–1993) · The Good Place episodes: 50 (2016–2020) · Body Heat rating: 7.4 (1981) · The Good Place rating: IMDb 8.2

Key facts about Ted Danson’s career milestones at a glance:

What is Ted Danson famous for?

Ask most people what Ted Danson is famous for and you’ll get the same answer: Sam Malone, the former Red Sox pitcher who poured drinks at Cheers. But the story runs deeper than one iconic role. Danson’s career arc is remarkably consistent — he has a way of finding shows that are both smart and popular, a combination that sounds easy but rarely happens.

Cheers as Sam Malone

The role defined a generation of sitcom viewing. Ted Danson played Sam Malone on Cheers from 1982 to 1993, appearing in all 269 episodes (Wikipedia). The show holds an IMDb rating of 8.0, and for good reason — it consistently delivered sharp writing paired with perfect ensemble chemistry (Rotten Tomatoes).

The show’s early days were rough, though. Cheers debuted as the lowest-rated program in its time slot, and NBC nearly pulled the plug. But the show found its audience over successive seasons, eventually becoming one of NBC’s biggest hits of the 1980s. Danson earned 11 consecutive Emmy nominations for the role, winning two Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards (Wikipedia). The show itself won Outstanding Comedy Series four times during his tenure.

The Good Place as Michael

Decades after Cheers ended, Danson found another career-defining role. He played Michael, a mischevious demon in an afterlife administration, on The Good Place from 2016 to 2020 (Wikipedia). The series earned 50 episodes across four seasons and holds an IMDb rating of 8.2 (Rotten Tomatoes).

The show was a critical darling, with Rotten Tomatoes maintaining a dedicated page for reviews and ratings (Rotten Tomatoes TV). Danson earned an Emmy nomination for his performance, marking his return to awards contention after his Cheers era.

What is the new series on Netflix with Ted Danson?

The most recent chapter in Ted Danson’s career arrived in 2024 with A Man on the Inside, a Netflix series that landed him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in Comedy (Wikipedia). He plays Charles, a widower who becomes an undercover investigator at a retirement community.

A Man on the Inside details

The show marks Danson’s return to streaming television in a leading role — a space he hadn’t occupied since his days on Becker (1998–2004) or his recurring appearances on Curb Your Enthusiasm (34 episodes from 2000 to 2024) (Wikipedia).

The Golden Globe nomination signals that audiences and critics alike are still paying attention to Danson’s work. At 77 years old as of 2024, he brings the same easy charisma to the role that made Sam Malone memorable decades earlier.

What this means: Netflix continues to bet on established comedic talent. A Man on the Inside joins a growing list of shows that revive veteran actors for streaming audiences — a trend that favors stars with proven track records over untested newcomers.

What are Ted Danson’s best movies?

Television may have made Danson famous, but his film career holds its own weight. The Rotten Tomatoes profile for Ted Danson tracks ratings across dozens of movies, and the spread is wide — from acclaimed performances to forgettable misfires.

Body Heat 1981

Before Cheers made him a household name, Ted Danson delivered a lead performance in Body Heat, a neo-noir erotic thriller directed by Lawrence Kasdan. The film holds a 96% Rotten Tomatoes score — the highest rating in Danson’s entire filmography (Rotten Tomatoes). It’s a reminder that he was taken seriously as a dramatic actor long before he became a sitcom staple.

Saving Private Ryan 1998

The opposite end of the quality spectrum sits Saving Private Ryan, Steven Spielberg’s World War II epic. Danson played Captain Jeremy Morris in the film, which holds a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score and earned over $214 million at the domestic box office (Rotten Tomatoes). The film is widely considered one of the greatest war films ever made, and Danson’s presence in the ensemble cast added weight to an already star-studded production.

What Ted Danson TV shows are on Netflix?

Netflix subscribers looking to watch Danson’s work have several options, though the selection is more curated than comprehensive. A Man on the Inside is the obvious new entry, but catalog titles are less prominent on the platform.

Recent Netflix roles

The streaming landscape for Danson’s back catalog isn’t clearly documented in available sources. The Good Place originally aired on NBC and may or may not be available on Netflix depending on regional licensing agreements. Becker and his Curb Your Enthusiasm appearances exist primarily on other platforms.

The pattern: Streaming rights for older shows are complex and often region-specific. TV Guide maintains a full credits list for Danson that can help viewers track down where specific shows are currently available (TV Guide).

The catch: Unless you have access to a comprehensive streaming database, finding Danson’s complete TV catalog requires checking multiple platforms. The lack of a centralized source means viewers often miss lesser-known roles in shows like Damages (2007–2012), where Danson earned an Emmy nomination, or his 34-episode run on Curb Your Enthusiasm (Rotten Tomatoes).

Ted Danson movies and TV shows young

For readers curious about Danson’s younger roles — the ones that came before his breakthrough — the filmography offers several early-career entries worth noting.

Early career highlights

Danson’s film debut came in 1979 with The Onion Field, a crime drama that holds an 87% Rotten Tomatoes score (Rotten Tomatoes). This was followed by Body Heat in 1981, which remains his highest-rated film.

In 1982, he appeared in Creepshow, George A. Romero’s horror anthology inspired by EC Comics. The film has developed a cult following over the decades. Then came Something About Amelia in 1984, a TV movie that earned Danson a Golden Globe Award (Rotten Tomatoes).

His biggest early film success arrived in 1987 with Three Men and a Baby, which grossed $162.8 million domestically (Ultimate Movie Rankings). The film established him as a capable leading man in comedy, setting the stage for Cheers to make him a star.

The pattern: Danson’s early career was a careful calibration between serious dramatic work (The Onion Field, Body Heat) and mainstream comedy (Three Men and a Baby). That dual-track foundation gave him credibility across genres when television eventually called.

“As the star of the NBC sitcom Cheers (1982–1993), Emmy-winning Ted Danson was one of the most popular television stars of the 1980s.”

— Rotten Tomatoes (Review Aggregator)

“Though the lowest-rated program on television in its debut season, Cheers slowly built an audience over successive seasons and became one of NBC’s biggest hits of the 1980s.”

— Wikipedia (Entertainment Database)

What this means for fans: Ted Danson’s career is built on a foundation that predates his most famous roles. The early films and TV movies aren’t just historical footnotes — they’re proof that his comedic timing and dramatic instincts were present from the start. Streaming platforms may not always make these easier-to-find titles accessible, but they’re worth tracking down for a complete picture of his work.

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Ted Danson anchors Netflix’s heartfelt comedy A Man on the Inside, where full cast breakdown reveals the ensemble bringing depth to retirement home intrigue.

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