Actor Ted Danson has shared that his personal life was in such disarray by the end of the sitcom "Cheers" that he was unaware of the show's conclusion in 1993. Danson, who starred as Sam Malone for all 11 seasons of the beloved series, described on his podcast "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" that he had "f---ed up" his life to the point where the end of the show went unnoticed by him.
Danson, 78, told listeners that during the final year of filming, he felt he "barely knew myself" and needed to undergo significant personal growth. He sought guidance from a mentor in Long Beach, describing the experience as a form of therapy and spirituality. "I wanted to stop being a liar," Danson stated, expressing a desire to achieve emotional maturity and personal change.
This personal turmoil meant the transition away from "Cheers" was easier than it might have been, as Danson was preoccupied with his own struggles. He recalled being so focused on his personal issues that he didn't realize the show had been off the air for months.
"Cheers" concluded after 273 episodes when Danson expressed a desire to explore other acting roles. The network executives decided that the show should not continue without him. Danson felt that if he didn't depart at that time, he might not have been able to prove to himself that he could succeed in other endeavors.
Following "Cheers," Danson went on to roles in "Becker," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," and "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," before gaining a new following in "The Good Place." He is currently starring in the Netflix series "Man on the Inside," where he portrays a retired professor who becomes an undercover spy in a nursing home. Danson noted the inherent humor in the premise of an older man undertaking such a clandestine role.