Ted Danson Movies
The son of a prominent archaeologist/museum director, American actor Ted Danson grew up near the Navajo reservation in Arizona. He played basketball while at Kent School Connecticut, and then moved on to Stanford University. It was in the process of getting acquainted with an aspiring actress at Stanford that Danson found himself attending his first audition-- and by years' end had transferred to the drama department at Carnegie Tech. Marking time in non-speaking roles, Danson left the stage for the more lucrative world of TV commercials, some of which have been well-circulated on videotape since Danson has become famous. Danson's first steady TV work was as a slimy villain on the NBC soap opera Somerset. Shortly afterward, the actor attained his first film role, as a murdered cop, in The Onion Field (1978). After seeing Danson in the movie Body Heat (1981) and in an episode of the TV series Taxi, producer Glen Charles cast the actor as Sam Malone, ex-sports star and full-time barkeeper and womanizer, on the long-running, well-loved sitcom Cheers He won Emmys for the 1989-90 and 1992-93 seasons. Frequently making attempts at film stardom during the 11-season run of Cheers, Danson finally struck gold in Three Men and a Baby (1987) and its sequel Three Men and a Little Lady (1990). Danson's most recent work includes the 1996 starring role in the TV miniseries Gulliver's Travels and a co-starring role, opposite his new wife Mary Steenburgen, in the television sit-com Ink (also 1996). In 1998 Danson began a six-year run on another successful sitcom portraying the lead character on Becker, playing a caustic grump who couldn't have been further from Sam Malone's effortless charm. He continued to work steadily on the big screen as well scoring appearances in Saving Private Ryan and Mumford. He made sporadic appearances on Larry David's award-winning Curb Your Enthusiasm, and earned strong reviews for his dramatic work on the first season of the TV show Damages. He followed that up with a co-starring role on the HBO series Bored to Death, which lasted three seasons. In 2012 he could be seen in the inspirational animal movie Big Miracle. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
When a family of gray whales becomes trapped in the Arctic Circle, a Greenpeace volunteer and a small-town reporter go to extraordinary lengths to save the majestic creatures in this romantic adventure inspired by actual events. Alaskan newsman Adam Carlson (John Krasinski) has grown weary of working in such a small market. He's eager to move on to bigger and better things when the story of a lifetime lands right in his lap. Ice has been forming in the Arctic Circle at a rate so fast that a family of gray whales has become hopelessly stranded. As the eyes of the world turn toward this small, chilly corner of the globe, an oil tycoon, slews of politicians, and countless journalists descend upon Alaska -- each with their own hidden agenda. Meanwhile, the only one Adam notices is Rachel Kramer (Drew Barrymore), a devout environmentalist who also happens to be his ex-girlfriend. As the situation grows dire, the unlikely pair rallies a diverse coalition of allies to work together toward the common goal of saving the endangered marine mammals. The result is a rescue mission that will help to thaw Cold War tensions between America and Russia, and show the entire world just what can be accomplished when we start working together, instead of pulling apart. Dermot Mulroney, Tim Blake Nelson, Ted Danson, and Kristen Bell co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- John Krasinski, Drew Barrymore, (more)
Season 2 follows cutthroat legal do-gooder Patty Hewes (Glenn Close) as she goes after the murderous CEO of a rapacious energy company, while Patty's no-longer-naive associate Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne) goes after her because she thinks Patty tried to have her killed. Guiding Ellen in this effort are two FBI agents (Mario Van Peebles, Glenn Kessler) out to entrap Patty in a bribery scheme. Two of the ways they try to get to her are through her second-in-command, Tom Shayes (Tate Donovan), and Uncle Pete (Tom Aldredge), her Mr. Fix-it (with no questions asked). Meanwhile, Ellen meets a sympathetic, if secretive man named Wes Krulik (Timothy Olyphant) at a grief-counseling session, and they're immediately attracted to each other. What Ellen doesn't know is Wes has ties to Rick Messer (David Costabile), the rogue cop Arthur Frobisher (Ted Danson) hired in Season 1 to murder her fiancé. As for Frobisher, Patty's first-season target, he's now her uneasy ally in her effort to take down Walter Kendrick (John Doman), the CEO of Ultima National Resources. Kendrick is accused by scientist Daniel Purcell (William Hurt) of knowingly polluting land around a UNR facility in West Virginia. Purcell's wife is soon murdered and he's charged with the crime. As it happens, Purcell once had an affair with Patty but now he's secretly seeing Kendrick's lawyer, Claire Maddox (Marcia Gay Harden). Patty's husband, Phil (Michael Nouri), who's having an affair as well, gets mixed up in the UNR affair when he's offered the post of U.S. energy secretary. Working for Kendrick are math whiz Finn Garrity (Kevin Corrigan), a cocaine-snorting, price-rigging energy trader, and the Deacon (Darrell Hammond), whose dirty work is less cerebral. ~ Paul Droesch, Rovi
- Starring:
- Glenn Close, Rose Byrne, (more)
A woman who was used to the finer things in life is suddenly thrust back into the work force after her husband gets downsized in writer/director Callie Khouri's (Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood) American adaptation of the hit British comedy Hot Money. Faced with the prospect of losing her home as her debt begins to mount, posh housewife Bridget (Diane Keaton) accepts a job on the midnight cleaning crew at a local branch of the Federal Reserve Bank. When the growing temptation of the cash that surrounds her night after night ultimately proves too powerful to resist, Bridget teams with two of the other cleaners for a criminal exercise in creative moneymaking. Queen Latifah and Katie Holmes co-star in a crime comedy inspired by actual events. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Diane Keaton, Queen Latifah, (more)
Actress Jada Pinkett-Smith makes her feature directorial debut with this drama about a tormented businessman (Jason Clarke) whose life crumbles to ruins when he meets a free spirited temptress (Paz Vega) who lures him towards a dangerous existence of reckless abandon. Ted Danson and Idris Elba co-star in a film penned by director Pinkett-Smith, and executive produced by her husband Will Smith. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jason Clarke, Paz Vega, (more)
As the world's demand for fish and other seafood increases and the technology available to commercial fisherman becomes more sophisticated, the annual harvest from global seaports has grown tremendously in recent years. However, the rise of industrialized fishing has not come without consequences, and many environmentalists and oceanographers believe that the current demand for fish and the methods used to fulfill it are taking an irreparable toll on the world's oceans, with some speculating that the seas could be literally fished-out by 2048 if current trends do not change. Filmmaker Rupert Murray offers an in-depth look at the crisis in the world's oceans in the documentary End of the Line, in which experts discuss some of the key factors behind the looming shortage -- increased demand for endangered species, irresponsible methods employed by major fishing lines, lax enforcement of current regulations -- and what can be done to head off the famine before it's too late. End of the Line was an official selection at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
A young man's moment of triumph is spoiled when he gets kidnapped before he can impress his father in this black comedy. Eli Michaelson (Alan Rickman), a well-respected scientist, has learned that he's won the Nobel Prize in chemistry, which is a mixed blessing for his friends and family; while Eli's ego is a bit strong under the best of circumstances, this affirmation of his talent and intelligence has made him insufferable. Eli's wife, Sarah (Mary Steenburgen), a talented forensic psychiatrist, is more than annoyed by Eli's fondness for extramarital affairs (and lack of concern about hiding them), while his son, Barkley (Bryan Greenberg), has spent much of his life struggling to live up to his dad's expectations, with little success. Barkley is about to receive his Ph.D, just in time for his father's prize ceremony, when he's abducted by a pair of hapless crooks. The kidnappers demand Eli's two-million-dollar Nobel honorarium in exchange for Barkley's safe return. Also starring Bill Pullman, Danny DeVito, Eliza Dushku, and Shawn Hatosy, Nobel Son received its world premiere at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Alan Rickman, Bryan Greenberg, (more)
Season 1 of this dense and time-tangled Glenn Close legal thriller begins with a flash-forward: %Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne), a brilliant and, at that moment, very bedraggled Manhattan lawyer, has just discovered the bludgeoned body of her fiancé, medical resident David Connor (Noah Bean). An attempt on Ellen's life is made as well, and both attacks stem from her association with Patty Hewes (Close), a power litigator who uses devilish tactics to fight on the side of angels. Six months prior to David's death, Ellen joins Hewes & Associates to work on a class-action suit brought by former employees of Arthur Frobisher (Ted Danson), a corporate shark whom they accuse of selling his company---and their pensions---out from under them. As it happens, David's sister Katie (Anastasia Griffith), a talented young chef, catered a Frobisher event in Florida the night before he dumped his company's stock. Katie also had a fling that night with waiter Gregory Malina (Peter Facinelli), who is later befriended by Frobisher's lawyer, Ray Fiske (Zeljko Ivanek), whose folksy Southern charm masks demons. As the Frobisher case plays out over the season, Ellen is arrested for David's murder; Patty's loyal No. 2 at the firm, Tom Shayes (Tate Donovan), struggles to emerge from under her shadow; and a number of characters emerge from the shadows, notably "Uncle Pete" McKee (Tom Aldredge), Patty's avuncular Mr. Fix-it (and her actual uncle), George Moore (Peter Riegert), a former SEC official with ties to Frobisher, and freelancing NYPD detective Rick Messer (David Costabile). ~ Paul Droesch, Rovi
- Starring:
- Glenn Close, Rose Byrne, (more)
- 2006
Sitcom veteran Ted Danson starred in this 30-minute ABC series, characterized by more than one critic as an edgier, up-to-date Bob Newhart Show. This time, Danson was seen as outwardly cool, calm, and collected psychotherapist Dr. Bill Hoffman, who conducted a weekly therapy session with a group of truly messed-up people. So beneficial was Dr. Bill's advice to his charges that it was just as well they had no inkling about his own chaotic private life, in which he continued to moon over his ex-wife (a recurring character played by Jane Kaczmarek) and brood over the fact that his restless daughter, Sasha (Lindsay Sloane), was carrying on with a much-older man. Dr. Bill's patients included Darlene (Darlene Hunt), whose nymphomania was but one of many hang-ups; Michael (Jere Burns), who had serious issues with anger; Dave (Charlie Finn), an office worker and would-be suicide who was inept at both pursuits; and Inger (Suzy Nakamura), who was bereft of all forms of basic social graces. Help Me Help You first hung up its shingle on September 26, 2006. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ted Danson, Charlie Finn, (more)
Based on the book by Newsweek senior editor David France, the made-for-cable Our Fathers dramatizes the pedophilia scandal that literally tore apart the Catholic Diocese of Boston. The story is set in motion when the Boston Globe gets wind of a determined effort by lawyer Mitchell Garabedian (Ted Danson) to get belated justice for his client Angelo DeFranco (Daniel Baldwin), who as a youngster was repeatedly abused sexually by Father John Geoghan (Steve Shaw). Several of Angelo's contemporaries had previously come forth with stories of Father Geoghan's misdeeds, and the similar outrages of other priests, but they had made the error of complaining to the head of the Boston Diocese, the arrogant Cardinal Bernard Law (Christopher Plummer), who turned a deaf ear to the claims and in some cases went so far as to tell the complainants that they, and not the priests, were somehow to blame. All the while, Law and his colleagues covered up the scandal through a series of covert transfers of the offending priests, allowing the perpetrators to continue their sexual activities with shocking impunity. The film also details a number of related subplots, including the plight of Mary Ryan (Ellen Burstyn), all of whose seven sons suffered from the priests' abuse, and Father Spagnolia (Brian Dennehy), who dared to attack Law's handling of the scandal from his pulpit -- only to have the sexual skeletons in his own closet revealed. Our Fathers made its Showtime cable debut on May 21, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
A man down on his luck hatches a different kind of get-rich-quick scheme in this independent comedy. Andy Sargentee (Jeff Bridges) is a middle-aged divorcé who is down in the dumps after the departure of his wife, Thelma (Jeanne Tripplehorn), and son, Billy (Alex D. Linz). The fact that Thelma's new hubby is quite wealthy only makes things more troubling for Andy, and he keeps thinking that if he had more money he could be back in her good graces. One night, while knocking back drinks with his friends, Andy has a brainstorm -- pornography is big business these days, so why not round up the local talent and make an adult movie? Andy persuades his friend Barney (Tim Blake Nelson) to sign on as co-producer, and they start putting together a crew, including Emmett (Patrick Fugit), a kid with a video camera who becomes director of photography; Otis (William Fichtner), who volunteers to be the gofer who doesn't really do anything; and as director a guy known only by his nickname, Some Idiot (Joe Pantoliano). Casting proves to be a bit more problematic, especially after they discover that Moose (Ted Danson), who has been cast in the male lead, may be gay when he repeatedly fails to rise to the occasion. The Amateurs also stars Lauren Graham, Valerie Perrine, and Glenne Headly as some of the local women drafted into appearing in the movie; the picture was released in the United Kingdom under the title The Moguls. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jeff Bridges, Ted Danson, (more)
Inspired by the true-life tale of a dedicated elementary-school teacher who inspired his inner-city students by teaching them the game of chess, Allen Hughes' uplifting made for television feature marks a noted departure from such previous efforts as From Hell and Menace II Society. Richard Mason (Ted Danson) was middle-aged and unemployed when he decided to take up teaching inner-city students, and though most of the kids in his classroom couldn't have cared less about their education in the beginning, something curious happened as time went on. Realizing that he wasn't getting very far with his students through conventional means, Richard realized that he would have to innovate in order to encourage critical thinking among the impressionable youngsters. By breaking the curriculum and instead teaching his pupils the finer points of chess, the man who had once lost all motivation in life suddenly realizes just what a difference one teacher can make if they simply become more attuned to the needs of their students. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ted Danson, Malcolm David Kelley, (more)
- 2005
- Add The Untold Secrets of Television's Greatest Hits to Queue Add The Untold Secrets of Television's Greatest Hits to top of Queue
The Untold Secrets of Television's Greatest Hits offers stories about the productions of eight famous programs. Among the shows discussed are Cheers, L.A. Law, Hill Street Blues, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bob Newhart Show, he Addams Family, The Munsters, and I Love Lucy. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
- 2004
The made-for-TV It Must be Love is based on "Rediscovered Love", a chapter in Meant to Be, a book by marital-advice columnists Barry Vissell and Joyce Vissell. Both film and chapter were inspired by the true story of Nancy and Leo Whitmore, a divorce-bound couple who learned the hard way how to truly appreciate their life together--and to truly appreciate life itself--when they trapped in a snowbound camper for a month. As adapted by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Beth Henley (Crimes of the Heart), the film stars real-life married couple Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen as George and Clem Gazelle, who labor under the misapprehension that just because they are being "amicable" and "civilized" about their impending divorce, their split-up will be a happy one with no unpleasant side effects for their children. All this changes when George and Clem are trapped in their camper by a freak Main snowstorm. As they hope and pray for rescue, the couple begins to ponder the reasons for their breakup, and wonder if perhaps they should have given their marriage a second chance. As the days turn into weeks, and despite their ever-diminishing health, the Gazelles carry on lively domestic debates in their "Divorce Camper", concluding at last that if they must die (which may indeed happen at any moment), they would much rather die together than apart. One of the highest-rated TV movies of its year, It Must Be Love was seen February 15, 2004, on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The show business comedy Fronterz concerns three struggling actors who grow disenchanted with their profession after seeing so many rappers without any acting experience winning major roles. They decide to start their own rap act, the Large Money Mercenaries, and invent fake personalities to fit. Soon they are skyrocketing to fame, but leading double lives produces serious problems for each member of the trio. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
- Starring:
- Reno Wilson, Dennis Pressey, (more)
- 2004
Larry (Larry David) visits his dentist, Len Funkhouser (Saul Rubinek), who insists on rolling up Larry's sleeve to inject a sedative, causing Larry's cuff to lose its elasticity. Larry plans to attend the reception for Len's uncle Leo (Lou Cutell), who is suffering from Hodgkin's disease. Len naturally objects when Larry refers to it as "the 'good' Hodgkins." Jeff (Jeff Garlin) and Susie (Susie Essman) invite everyone to dinner, where many things go wrong. Larry gets into a tiff with the Russian cousin of the Funkhousers (Boris Krutonog), who asks to try on his glasses. Susie sees him playing with Oscar, their German shepherd, and mistakes it for something more sinister. Larry is outraged when, at dinner, he learns that Len's hygienist (Maria Canals) has been circulating a rumor that he has a plaque problem, and then little Sammy (Ashly Holloway) is traumatized when she finds the dentist's photo of Larry's rotting tooth. Aside from revealing to many people that he pees sitting down, Larry also puts his foot in it when he accuses a local weatherman (Gary Kroeger), a friend of Marty Funkhouser's (Bob Einstein), of falsely forecasting rain in order to clear the golf course. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi
- 2002
Larry (Larry David) comes home to find Cheryl (Cheryl Hines) laughing it up with her actor friend and tennis partner, Brad (Josh Temple). "Maybe I'll go out and get myself a heterosexual woman to play golf with," Larry suggests. Cheryl says she wouldn't see Brad if Larry would play tennis with her, and Larry says he will. At the restaurant, Larry is amazed when the manager (Jim Staahl) removes a wine stain from a couch with club soda and salt. Then Randy (John Hayman), the chef, tells Jeff (Jeff Garlin) and Larry that he can't handle the pressure of the high-profile job, and he quits. Ted Danson suggests they hire his cook, Josh (Daniel Escobar), but Larry and Jeff insist on giving him a tryout. Later, Larry and Cheryl run into some old friends, who treat them coldly, and Cheryl is embarrassed to realize that it's been over a year, and they never got their friends a wedding gift. The tennis goes badly because Larry is irritated by Cheryl's grunting. Or maybe it's just that she beats him. Cheryl tells Larry she's going to see a play, but is slow to mention that Brad is starring in it. Larry finds chef Josh's food "too saucy." When Cheryl and Larry go shopping for a wedding gift, Larry is accosted by an overzealous saleswoman (Laura Silverman) who doesn't seem to understand the concept of "browsing." ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi
This two-part CBS TV movie was filmed as Talking to Heaven, the title of the autobiographical book upon which it was based. Ted Danson stars as real-life psychic James Van Praagh, a man who spent much of his life ignoring or denying his clairvoyant gifts until it became impossible for him to suppress them any longer. After experiencing several "visitations" from dead people in his youth, Van Praagh was tagged as a freak and shunned by friends and family members alike. It is only during a particularly difficult period of his adult life that James is willing to acknowledge his special talents, and then only because he has had visions of a forlorn young boy with bound hands. Galvanized into action by such grim images, not to mention the plaintive voices of several additional ghostly youngsters, James agrees to assist the authorities in locating the buried victims of a serial killer who may still be at large. Living With the Dead originally aired on April 28 and 30, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen, (more)
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