Mandy
Veteran actor Ted Danson is sharing his honest thoughts on the reality behind filming romantic moments on camera.
The “Cheers” star appeared alongside his wife, Mary Steenburgen, on the Today show while promoting Season 2 of “A Man on the Inside,” where they were asked whether decades of marriage make performing love scenes easier.
Danson replied that it definitely helps, admitting he’s uncomfortable filming intimate moments with unfamiliar actors.
“It’s easier for me because I’m not crazy about love scenes with strangers,” he said, emphasizing that he wasn’t just giving a fluffy answer because his wife was beside him.
Danson Says Romantic Scenes Can Feel Wrong
Danson explained that filming intimate scenes with actors he barely knows often leaves him feeling awkward and guilty, noting, “You feel guilty and awkward and it’s wrong.”
Steenburgen, however, couldn’t resist teasing her husband, saying she didn’t share the same discomfort. Danson jokingly covered his ears, asking if she was about to “talk about it.”
Still, he said that acting opposite his real-life partner is easier because they fully trust one another.
“I have total permission because she knows I love her,” Danson shared. “We’re husband and wife, so I’m free to fall madly in love with her on camera.”
Performing Romance Together Requires “Unlearning”
Steenburgen described their on-screen romance as a unique acting challenge because they had to pretend to be strangers despite knowing each other deeply.
“Usually you meet someone and then jump into a romantic scene,” she said. “For us, we had to unlearn everything and see each other as if it were the first time.”
Their Acting Ritual Honors Sanford Meisner
The Hollywood couple also revealed a personal ritual they share before filming emotional scenes, inspired by iconic acting teacher Sanford Meisner.
Rather than exchanging the usual “break a leg,” they say Meisner’s name before filming to ground themselves and stay connected.
“It worked,” Steenburgen added.
A Long-Time Hollywood Love Story
Danson and Steenburgen first met in 1983 and tied the knot in 1995, with each entering the marriage with two children from previous relationships.
Earlier this year, Steenburgen admitted she once assumed Danson might be a ladies’ man like his “Cheers” character. She later realized she was completely mistaken, joking that “slick guys don’t say ‘gosh-a-rooni’ after making love.”
Ted Danson’s candid reflections reveal that even seasoned actors can struggle with the emotional challenges of on-screen intimacy, particularly with unfamiliar co-stars.
His longtime bond with Mary Steenburgen not only makes romantic scenes easier but also gives the couple a unique foundation for authentic storytelling.
Their partnership, rituals, and trust continue to show why they remain one of Hollywood’s most admired and enduring couples.