Cheers Star Ted Danson Didn't See Himself as a Hottie

Actor Ted Danson recently revealed his disbelief regarding his perceived sex symbol status during the early years of the sitcom "Cheers." On his podcast, "Where Everybody Knows Your Name," Danson shared with co-host Lisa Ann Walter that he frequently questioned if he was the object of admiration. He admitted, "Literally, it took me until the second year of 'Cheers' when I decided, 'You know what? Keep your mouth shut, Ted.'"

Danson suggested that the show's decision to cast "very sexy looking women" who admired Sam Malone contributed to his image. He felt the compliments he received were often a reflection of the women around him. Walter countered that he was "selling it" and his appeal wasn't solely dependent on the actresses.

The actor starred as Sam Malone for over 12 years, from 1982 to 1993, earning two Emmy Awards. He decided to leave "Cheers" after 11 seasons to pursue different acting avenues, a move that led to the show's conclusion. Danson stated his desire to see if he could succeed in other roles.

Post-"Cheers," Danson appeared in films like "Saving Private Ryan" and television series including "Becker" and "The Good Place." His role as Michael in "The Good Place" garnered three Emmy nominations. He is currently starring in Netflix's "Man on the Inside."