Ted Danson has opened up about his personal struggles during the end of the popular sitcom “Cheers.” In a recent episode of his podcast, “Where Everybody Knows Your Name,” the 78-year-old actor reflected on his life when the show concluded in 1993.
Danson described the chaotic state of his life, admitting, “I had messed up my life so much that I didn’t even realize ‘Cheers’ was over.” He shared that he felt disconnected from himself and quickly enrolled in a personal development course in his final year on the show.
He recalled seeking guidance from a mentor in Long Beach, who provided a different kind of spiritual therapy. Danson’s desire to become emotionally mature drove him to confront his issues, saying, “I wanted to stop being a liar.”
Previously, in an August 2025 podcast episode, he noted that his turbulent personal life made the transition after “Cheers” relatively easy. Danson stated he was unaware the series had ended for some time, as he was focused on his own challenges.
Appearing as Sam Malone from 1982 to 1993, Danson starred in all 273 episodes of “Cheers.” The show concluded after 11 seasons when he expressed a wish to explore new acting opportunities, prompting executives to end the series, since they didn’t want to continue without him.
Following “Cheers,” Danson featured in other successful shows, including “Becker,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.” Currently, he stars in Netflix’s “Man on the Inside,” where he plays a retired professor who becomes an undercover spy in a nursing home.
