Ted Danson and daughters Kate and Alexis at the ‘Mad Money’ film premiere in Westwood, California on January 9, 2008.Photo:Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock
Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock
Ted Dansonis a proud dad to his children, Kate and Alexis Danson.
The actor welcomed his two daughters in 1979 and 1985, respectively, with his second wife, Casey Coates. Ted eventually split from Kate and Alexis' mother in 1993, and two years later,TheGood Placestar married actressMary Steenburgenafterthey reconnectedon the set ofPontiac Moon.
Ted is also a stepfather toSteenburgen’s kids, Lilly Walton and Charlie McDowell, and the blended family have supported each other over the years.
Unlikehis relationship with Steenburgen, Ted rarely discusses his children in interviews or features them on social media, though they both forged their own creative paths like their father. Kate has pursued a career onstage and on-screen as an actress, while Alexis has made music under several pseudonyms.
They have shown their support for their famous father, too. Ted’s daughters participated in his wedding to Steenburgen in October 1995, with Kate serving as a bridesmaid alongside Lilly and Alexis taking part as the flower girl.
Kate and Alexis also celebrated their father and stepmother in 2009, alongside Charlie and Lilly, when Steenburgen was honored with a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame.
Here’s everything to know about Ted Danson’s children: Kate and Alexis.
Kate Danson, 45
Ted Danson and his daughter Kate Danson attend the Rise Fundraiser: ‘Everything I Ever Wanted To Tell My Daughter About Men’ play reading on March 12, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California.Tasia Wells/Getty
Tasia Wells/Getty
Ted and Coates welcomed their first child, daughter Kate, on Dec. 24, 1979.
After graduating from the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California, Kate followed in her father’s footsteps and pursued a creative career path in Hollywood.
In 2013, though, she told theNew York Postthat she went through a “rebellious” phase where she tried to turn her back on acting due to her father’s career. She explained, “I was like, ‘No, I’m going to be an individual.’ But then I started to realize that acting is what I want to do … it brings me a lot of pleasure.”
Kate said she received support from Ted and Steenburgen, who would run lines with her over the phone. Her father also gave her plenty of career advice, including to “have fun and enjoy it.”
“When I told my dad this was what I definitely wanted to do, he said something like, ‘Welcome to the family business,’ ” she added. “I feel like I’ve gotten to know him better, too, now that I’m acting … That’s been really sweet.”
“The CSI team have done something wrong. So I come pretty hard at my dad and dig into him, which was a lot of fun to play,” she said, perE! Online. “I was really fortunate to get to work with him onCSI. It was really great going head to head with him.”
According toone of her bios, Kate also has theater experience as an actress, producer and director. She was the co-artistic director for Triptych Theatre, where she made her directorial debut withFrench Waitressat the Walker Space in New York City. Kate followed it up withNocturneandStockholm. In addition to producing three plays during the 2017-2018 season, she starred inThe Drowning Girlsin the same N.Y.C. space.
Mary Steenburgen, Ted Danson and Kate Danson attend Oceana’s New York City Benefit on April 8, 2014 in New York City.Dave Kotinsky/Getty
Dave Kotinsky/Getty
When she’s not acting or directing, she works as a doula, according toone of her websitesandInstagram bio. Her foray into the field came from stepsister Lilly, who invited her to be a part of her first daughter’s birth. On the side, Kate also explores her creativity through professional photography.
She married director and producer Jesse Bochco in 2009, but the pair split in 2015. Kate lived in Los Angeles butannounced her official moveto Ojai, California, in January 2022 on social media.
While Ted and Kate don’t often share details of their relationship publicly, she made a rare post about her dadon Instagramin October 2019, reacting tohis arrestwithJane Fondaat a climate change protest.
“Setting a good example for your children? Why Yes Indeed!” she wrote in the caption. “I honestly couldn’t be prouder of you, dad, and felt this photo deserved a shout out on social media…The only thing that upsets me is that you didn’t bring the whole family with you.”
Alexis Danson, 39
Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen with their children Charlie McDowell and Alexis Danson at the screening of A&E Networks “Knights of the South Bronx” on December 1, 2000 in New York City.Paul Hawthorne/Getty
Paul Hawthorne/Getty
Ted and Coates welcomed their second child together, daughter Alexis, inJune 1985.
In a 2009 interview withPRO MOTION, Alexis opened up about growing up with a famous father, telling the company, “It’s not normal or natural to have attention on your family all the time, but I’m truly blessed with the most loving family.”
Alexis also shared a few memories from visiting her dad on set. “It was harder when my dad was doingCheersbecause they were shooting it past my bedtime, but when I got to go, I was always really excited,” she said.
Despite her father’s life in the spotlight, Alexis has retained a low profile. She previously created music under the names Kat Danson and Lux Lovelle, including the 2012 song “It’s Like Summer” which was featured onDance Moms.
source: people.com
