Mary Steenburgen is stepping onto the pickleball court for her latest project, the comedy film 'The Dink,' set to premiere on Apple TV on July 24.
In an interview, Steenburgen shared her enthusiasm for the sport and her new role. She recounted a moment from the early days of filming 'Step Brothers,' where she and fellow actor Richard Jenkins questioned their own performances amidst the improvisational chaos. Steenburgen recalled finding clarity by deciding their role was to "hold down the truth that these two grown idiots are living at home with them" and make that reality believable. This approach to acting, grounding the absurd in relatable truth, likely informs her perspective on new comedic ventures.
Beyond her acting career, Steenburgen and her husband, Ted Danson, were recognized with the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award at the 2025 Emmys. The couple has a long history of activism and philanthropy, supporting causes such as anti-apartheid efforts in South Africa, pediatric AIDS research, and advocating for the importance of arts in public education. Steenburgen expressed that she remains actively engaged in humanitarian work, hinting at new initiatives that she finds particularly exciting and meaningful.