logo
Getty Images
Getty Images

Ted Danson’s Affair with Whoopi Goldberg Reportedly Cost Him $30 Million – inside Their Whirlwind Romance

Camila Santiago
Sep 25, 2021
11:00 P.M.

The stormy and short love affair between Whoppi Goldberg and Ted Danson in the ‘90s during the production of “Made in America” cost him his marriage, his reputation, and $30 million to his pocket.

Advertisement

The stormy and short love affair between Whoppi Goldberg and Ted Danson in the ‘90s during the production of “Made in America” cost him his marriage, his reputation, and $30 million to his pocket.

The “Cheers” and “The Good Place” star Ted Danson has been “madly in love” with his wife Mary Steenburgen for the last 25 years. But Ted’s life before Steenburgen was different.

On the left Ted Danson and Whoopi Goldberg in a scene  from the film 'Made In America', 1993, in Hollywood. On the right, Danson with his second wife Casey and their children in Los Angeles in 1991. | Source: Getty Image

On the left Ted Danson and Whoopi Goldberg in a scene from the film 'Made In America', 1993, in Hollywood. On the right, Danson with his second wife Casey and their children in Los Angeles in 1991. | Source: Getty Image

Before Steenburgen, Ted Danson had lost everything -- he had broken up with his family, he was no longer the star on one of the most popular TV shows at the time and broke.

During the set of “Made in America,” Whoopi Goldberg and Ted Danson met and their on-screen romance became a public and shocking secret love affair. It turns out, not so secret.

Advertisement

At that time, Danson was married to his second wife Cassandra "Casey" Coates for 16 years to whom he had two children together.

Ted Danson and Casey Coates during 40th Annual Golden Globe Awards at Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA, United States, in 1983. | Source: Getty Images

Ted Danson and Casey Coates during 40th Annual Golden Globe Awards at Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA, United States, in 1983. | Source: Getty Images

Coates and Danson tied the knot in 1977 after his first marriage with the star Randy Gosh crashed. But in 1979, during the labor of their daughter Kate, Coates suffered a stroke that left her entire left side paralyzed.

The “Good Place” actor said, even ten years later to the incident that they were committed to their marriage vows:

“We are committed to each other totally. The idea of my having more relationships boggles my mind.”

Advertisement
Ted Danson & Casey Coates during Pro Choice Rally 1989 in Los Angeles, California, United States. | Source: Getty Images

Ted Danson & Casey Coates during Pro Choice Rally 1989 in Los Angeles, California, United States. | Source: Getty Images

It turns out that Danson changed his mind. His whirlwind romance with Goldberg turned into the most commented celeb affairs of Hollywood history.

Things got dirty and Coates filed for divorce after she decided to make a surprise to her former husband on the set of “Made in America” and reportedly saw Danson and Goldberg taking a romantic walk in the woods.

Whoopi Goldberg and Ted Danson at Friars Club Roasts, circa 1993 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

Whoopi Goldberg and Ted Danson at Friars Club Roasts, circa 1993 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

Advertisement

Their divorce is considered one of the most expensive divorces in Hollywood history. Danson couldn’t forecast that his cheating would cost him so much, shared an insider:

“He knew how bad it looked that his affair was so public and he didn’t stand a chance at fighting Casey on it. But he didn’t expect to take such a huge financial hit.”

Goldberg and Danson's whirlwind romance didn’t last long. After 18 months they split up after his appearance at the Friars Club roast in New York for Goldberg wearing a blackface.

Whoopi Goldberg not amused by Ted Danson's face right up next to her in a scene from the film 'Made In America', 1993. | Source: Getty Images

Whoopi Goldberg not amused by Ted Danson's face right up next to her in a scene from the film 'Made In America', 1993. | Source: Getty Images

The actor used the N-word several times and according to People, his “racial-slur-laden monologue" hurt the couple’s intimate life. After that, things got bitter between them and they broke up few weeks after the roast. After the split, Goldberg was devastated:

Advertisement

“It was real painful, and it was very public, and the loss of his friendship hurts a great deal.”

However, despite rumors, the comedian shared with Jet magazine that they broke up before the roast. She admittedly said that Danson’s rejection from “someone she thought she’d spent a great deal of her life” with was pretty painful.

Cheer star Ted Danson poses for a portrait in October 1983 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Cheer star Ted Danson poses for a portrait in October 1983 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Ted’s stormy adventure with Goldberg led him to meet his current wife Mary Steenburgen. She had been a fan of his work from afar. Steenburgen said she used to watch “Cheers” to lift her spirit during the time she was going through a divorce herself.

The “Cheers” actor said he was a “mess and a half” due to the hard times he was going through. But life surprised him and the “love of his life” came along.

Advertisement

Both Steenburgen and Danson were having a hard time and they were able to offer each other support. The couple wed in 1995 and has been together since then.

Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen attend the 12th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at American Museum of Natural History on December 09, 2018 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen attend the 12th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at American Museum of Natural History on December 09, 2018 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

Goldberg, in spite of the heartbreak, moved on as well. The comedian wed her third husband, Lyle Trachtenberg, one year after her breakup with Danson.

The last marriage finished a year later and since then, Goldberg decided to have a solo life as marriage doesn’t fit her lifestyle.

In an interview with The New York Times Magazine, she said she’s all fine by herself and she has tried to share her life with somebody else but now she prefers to be on her own.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Huge Star Marries This Man in Smoky Hotel Room – He Flies Miles to Her on a Stolen Plane after Learning She Was Hurt

March 05, 2024

Adris DeBarge Is Married to an Actor - Facts about El DeBarge's Daughter

November 25, 2023

Camilla 'Resented Being Eclipsed' by Kate & Looked Down Her Nose at the Middletons, Book Claims

January 19, 2024

Harry Chose Not to Stay in the Same Room with Camilla While Visiting Ailing Dad — Inside Their Relationship

February 15, 2024

5 Celebrity Couples Whose Marriages Have Lasted for 40 Years and More

January 24, 2024

Prince Harry Responded to Rumors That He Is Not King Charles’ Real Son – Why People Think He Is Illegitimate

February 09, 2024

Michael Douglas & Kathleen Turner Had ‘Real’ Chemistry Then His Ex Came to One Shoot & Stepped In

November 27, 2023

Jenny Lee Arness Died Similarly to Her Mother – More about James Arness's Daughter

December 03, 2023

Paul McCartney’s Brother ‘Was Nearly in the Beatles’ Then Hid Being Related to the Legendary Singer

November 10, 2023

Teen Idol Bobby Sherman Delivered 5 Babies in a Field after Sacrificing Career to Raise His Sons

November 09, 2023

Willie Nelson's Last Marriage Is 'The Smartest Thing' He Did – He Built a Strong Family Following Death of His Son

January 08, 2024

Gary Sinise’s Wife’s Cancer Diagnosis Coincided with Their Son’s — Her Story of Strength and Resilience

February 28, 2024

Bob Hope Was Either Bigamist or Lied About His 69-Years Marriage – Inside His Private Life

January 17, 2024

Why Is Prince Harry's Ex, Cressida Bonas, Still Close to the Royal Family?

February 16, 2024