Origins & Early Life

Edward Bridge Danson III (born December 29, 1947) is an American actor. He played the lead character Sam Malone on the NBC sitcom Cheers (1982–1993), for which he received two Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards. He was further Emmy-nominated for the FX legal drama Damages (2007–2010) and the NBC comedy The Good Place (2016–2020). He received the 2025 Carol Burnett Award.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Danson made his film debut in 1978 in the crime drama The Onion Field. His breakout film role was in the comedies Three Men and a Baby (1987) and Three Men and a Little Lady (1990). He also acted in Body Heat (1981), Creepshow (1982), Dad (1989) and Saving Private Ryan (1998). Danson's other leading roles on television include the CBS sitcom Becker (1998–2004) and the CBS dramas CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2011–2015) and CSI: Cyber (2015–2016). In 2015, he starred in the second season of FX's anthology series Fargo.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He has played roles in the HBO comedies Bored to Death (2009–2011) and Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000–2024), the NBC sitcom Mr. Mayor (2021–2022), and the Netflix comedy A Man on the Inside (2024–present). Danson has been married to actress Mary Steenburgen since 1995. They were awarded the...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Al Capone — Contemporary (Died in 1947) (1947): Notorious American gangster and businessman during the Prohibition era.
• Alan Guth — Contemporary (Born in 1947) (1947): Pioneering cosmologist known for developing the theory of cosmic inflation.
• Alan Sugar — Contemporary (Born in 1947) (1947): Pioneering British entrepreneur, founder of Amstrad, and TV personality.
• Andrei Tarkovsky — Shared historical date (12-29 · Died) (1986): Master of metaphysical cinema, known for slow pacing and spiritual depth.
• Billy Mitchell — Shared historical date (12-29 · Born) (1879): Pioneering US Army officer instrumental in the conceptualization of the modern Air Force.
• Albert Brooks — Historical peer (Born in 1947) (1947): Versatile American actor, comedian, director, and screenwriter.
• Aleister Crowley — Historical peer (Died in 1947) (1947): Founder of Thelema, a major occultist, poet, and ceremonial magician.
• 1982 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament — Historical peer (Born in 1982) (1982): The 44th annual NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.
• Alan Ritchson — Historical peer (Born in 1982) (1982): American actor known for roles in Reacher, Titans, and superhero franchises.
• Ajahn Buddhadasa — Historical peer (Died in 1993) (1993): Pioneering Thai Buddhist monk known for reinterpreting doctrine and fostering religious reformation.
• 1947 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1947
• December 29 (12-29) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on December 29