You probably know him as Sam Malone, the tall, charming bartender who always had a quip ready. Or maybe you know him as Michael, the reformed demon from The Good Place. Either way, Ted Danson has been a fixture on our TV screens for over four decades. But while most actors peak and then fade into the "where are they now" files, Danson has pulled off a financial magic trick that few in Hollywood ever master.
He didn’t just get rich. He stayed rich.
When people look up Ted Danson net worth, they usually find a number hovering around $80 million. Honestly, that's a massive sum, but the story of how he got there—and how he kept it after one of the most expensive divorces in Hollywood history—is much more interesting than a simple bank balance.
The Cheers Goldmine and the $12 Million Season
Back in the late '80s and early '90s, network TV was the only game in town. There was no Netflix. No TikTok. If you were the star of the number one show on NBC, you were basically a god. By the final seasons of Cheers, Ted Danson was pulling in $450,000 per episode.
Think about that for a second.
In today’s money, adjusted for inflation, that’s roughly $25 million a season. He was the highest-paid actor on television at the time. While modern stars like the cast of Friends eventually hit the $1 million mark, Danson was the one who broke the ceiling first.
He didn't just take the paycheck and run, though. Because Cheers has been in syndication for thirty years, the "mailbox money" is real. Even now, in 2026, those royalty checks for Sam Malone’s adventures keep hitting his account. Experts estimate he still pulls in millions annually just from people rewatching old episodes while they eat dinner.
The Divorce That Could Have Ended It All
You can't talk about his wealth without mentioning the mid-90s. Specifically, his divorce from Casey Coates. It was a massive tabloid story, mostly because of the price tag. Reports suggest the settlement cost Danson $30 million.
At the time, that was half his fortune.
Most people would have folded or transitioned into low-budget movies to pay the bills. Instead, Danson went back to work. He landed Becker, which ran for six seasons, and then successfully jumped into the CSI franchise. For CSI, he was reportedly making $250,000 per episode. He basically rebuilt a kingdom that most people thought was gone.
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Real Estate and the Mary Steenburgen Factor
Ted isn't just a solo act. He’s been married to Mary Steenburgen since 1995, and together they are a financial powerhouse. Their combined net worth is where that $80 million figure really starts to make sense. They aren't the type to buy a 50-room mega-mansion just for the flex. Instead, they’ve played a very smart, very quiet real estate game.
Their portfolio is spread out in a way that suggests they actually like living in their homes rather than just flipping them. They’ve owned:
- A compound in Santa Monica (bought for around $3.5 million, with a neighboring lot added later).
- A charming 1920s bungalow in Venice, CA, which they sold for a nice profit.
- A massive estate in Ojai, which is basically the ultimate celebrity hideaway.
- Multiple properties on Martha’s Vineyard, where they spend their summers.
When you add up their holdings in California, Tennessee, and Massachusetts, you’re looking at more than $20 million in real estate alone.
Why He Still Works (It’s Not Just for the Cash)
At nearly 80 years old, Danson could easily retire to a boat and never look at a script again. But he doesn't. From The Good Place to Mr. Mayor, and his more recent educational series Advancements, he keeps a full schedule.
Part of this is definitely the paycheck—The Good Place was a massive hit that added another layer of residuals to his pile—but a lot of it fuels his activism.
He’s one of the founders of Oceana, a non-profit dedicated to ocean conservation. He doesn’t just put his name on the letterhead; he puts his money where his mouth is. Philanthropy on that level requires a massive "war chest," and his steady work in Hollywood provides exactly that.
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Misconceptions About the Number
Is he actually worth exactly $80 million? Net worth estimates are always an educated guess. They don't account for private investments in tech or his partnership with brands like Smirnoff or American Express.
Some analysts suggest that when you factor in his and Mary’s full investment portfolio and the current value of their real estate in today's 2026 market, the "real" number might actually be higher. However, $80 million remains the most grounded, verified figure that accounts for his public earnings and known assets.
What This Means for You
Watching Ted Danson’s career offers a bit of a masterclass in long-term financial health. He survived a massive financial hit (the divorce), diversified his income (transitioning from sitcoms to dramas to hosting), and invested in tangible assets (real estate).
If you want to apply the "Danson Method" to your own life, start by looking at your "residuals." Do you have assets that pay you while you sleep? Whether it's a rental property, a small side business, or a diversified stock portfolio, the goal is to create income that doesn't require you to be "on stage" every single day.
Next, take a look at your real estate holdings. Danson and Steenburgen didn't just buy one big house; they bought smaller, high-value properties in locations that never lose their appeal. Quality over quantity usually wins in the long run.
Finally, consider your "second act." Danson didn't stop after Cheers. He reinvented himself three times over. Whether you're in your 30s or your 60s, there's always a new way to leverage your skills into a fresh revenue stream.
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Next Steps:
If you're looking to build a portfolio that mirrors a Hollywood legend's stability, your first move should be a deep dive into your current asset allocation. Review your passive income streams—like dividends or rental income—and see if they could sustain you if your primary "gig" ended tomorrow.