Ted Danson’s daughter, Kate Danson, was born during a moment of tragedy when her mother suffered a stroke during childbirth. Meet the actor’s daughter, who went on to follow in her father’s footsteps.
Ted Danson is a well-known actor famous for his roles in shows like “Cheers.” However, off-screen, he faced a terrifying moment when his wife at the time suffered a stroke during childbirth.
Ted Danson at the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year Honoring Jon Bon Jovi during the 66th Grammy Awards on February 2, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Despite the hardship, the couple overcame it and welcomed their daughter, Kate Danson. Now, Kate has followed in her father’s footsteps, becoming an actress and even sharing the screen with him.
Ted Danson speaking at the Environmental Media Association IMPACT Summit Day 2 on June 5, 2024, in West Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
A Life-Altering Moment for Ted and Casey
Ted Danson, a beloved figure in Hollywood, became a household name through his role as the charming bartender Sam Malone on “Cheers.” Over the years, Ted built an impressive career as a versatile actor, known for both his comedic and dramatic talents.
His later work on shows like “The Good Place” solidified his status as one of television’s most enduring stars. Behind the scenes, however, Ted faced a personal challenge that forever altered the course of his life.
Ted Danson and Casey Coates at the 38th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on September 21, 1986, in Pasadena, California. | Source: Getty Images
On Christmas Eve in 1979, Ted’s wife, Casey Coates, suffered a massive stroke while giving birth to their daughter, Kate. The stroke left Casey completely paralyzed on her left side, a devastating blow for a new mother.
While Kate was born healthy, Casey’s condition required immediate and intensive care. Ted, overwhelmed by the severity of the situation, remained by her side throughout her initial recovery.
Ted Danson and Casey Coates at the Jewish National Funds Annual Tree of Life Awards on December 11, 1986, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
He recalled how a neurosurgeon warned that Casey might never walk again. For the first three weeks of Casey’s three-and-a-half-month hospital stay, Ted slept on the floor of her room, unwilling to leave her alone during such a vulnerable time.
“I couldn’t bear to be alone. It was too devastating. For the first month, I did nothing but cry. I gave Ted permission to leave me. I thought I was going to be a wipeout the rest of my life,” revealed Casey, who blamed her stroke on hereditary high blood pressure.
Ted Danson and Casey Coates at the “Phantom of the Opera” performance on May 23, 1989, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Despite the bleak outlook, Ted remained committed, drawing inspiration from the story of actress Patricia Neal, who recovered from her own stroke with the help of her then-husband, writer Roald Dahl.
Ted became Casey’s primary caregiver, assisting with her rehabilitation while a nanny and relatives took care of Kate. “It was horrifying. But after you get over the shock, you roll up your sleeves and work at getting things better,” the actor shared.
Ted Danson and Casey Coates at the 1990 Permanent Charities Committee of the Entertainment Industries’ Celebrity Walk-A-Thon for Earth Day on April 22, 1990, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Ted Danson and Casey Coates at the “Phantom of the Opera” performance on May 23, 1989, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Despite the bleak outlook, Ted remained committed, drawing inspiration from the story of actress Patricia Neal, who recovered from her own stroke with the help of her then-husband, writer Roald Dahl.
Ted became Casey’s primary caregiver, assisting with her rehabilitation while a nanny and relatives took care of Kate. “It was horrifying. But after you get over the shock, you roll up your sleeves and work at getting things better,” the actor shared.
Ted Danson and Casey Coates at the 1990 Permanent Charities Committee of the Entertainment Industries’ Celebrity Walk-A-Thon for Earth Day on April 22, 1990, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Ted added, “A relationship changes when you have a baby. The changes just got retarded in our case.” They both worked tirelessly to rebuild their lives, but the emotional scars lingered. At times, their frustrations led to heated arguments and feelings of guilt and resentment.
Ted Danson and Casey Coates at the inaugural Environmental Media Awards on September 30, 1991, in Culver City, California. | Source: Getty Images
“There was a huge rift between us — a massive lack of trust. Her gratitude fed into the sense of sacrifice I was feeling,” Ted admitted. On top of this, when Casey was first able to go out, she was embarrassed to be seen in public.
Despite these struggles, Ted and Casey’s bond grew stronger through the adversity. “My commitment and depth of love for her are sure a lot richer,” Ted sweetly said.
Ted Danson and Casey Coates at the 49th Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 18, 1992, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Meet Kate Danson
Kate Danson, born during a time of immense personal hardship for her family, eventually followed in her father’s footsteps, though her path to acting wasn’t without its detours.
Despite growing up surrounded by the entertainment industry, Kate initially resisted the idea of joining the family business. In her youth, she went through what she described as a “rebellious phase,” determined to forge her own path outside of the shadow of her famous parents.
Ted Danson and Casey Coates with their daughters Alexis and Kate Danson at the National Conference of Christians and Jews in 1987. | Source: Getty Images
However, her passion for acting eventually won out, and Kate embraced the craft with enthusiasm. In 2013, she made her off-Broadway debut in “The Drowning Girls,” a haunting true story about the tragic deaths of three women at the hands of a notorious murderer.
Kate and Ted Danson photographed in Santa Monica, California, on September 20, 1989. | Source: Getty Images
Playing the role of Bessie, one of the wives, Kate showcased her talent for portraying complex, emotional characters. Though it was her first major stage role, Kate received support from both her father and her stepmother, actress Mary Steenburgen.
Throughout the production, Ted and Mary helped Kate run her lines over the phone, offering advice and encouragement from their home in Los Angeles. Ted, ever the proud father, jokingly welcomed Kate to the “family business” once she fully embraced acting.
Kate and Ted Danson at the premiere of “Bye Bye Benjamin” on June 5, 2006, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
“When I told my dad this was what I definitely wanted to do, he said something like, ‘Welcome to the family business,'” Kate revealed. The actress’s decision to follow her father into the acting world ultimately strengthened their relationship.
Working together on projects like “CSI,” where she played a lawyer opposite her father’s character, created special memories for them both. “I feel like I’ve gotten to know him better, too, now that I’m acting. Know him as an actor. That’s been really sweet,” she said.
Kate humorously recalled how surreal it was to act alongside her father, describing how she delivered her lines directly to him during a tense scene.
“One chunk of dialogue I say straight to my dad, and I could see his eyes kind of widening like, ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe this is happening.’ It was cute. I could tell he was having a moment, like, ‘This is so wild,'” Kate recalled.
Kate Danson at the “Everything I Ever Wanted To Tell My Daughter About Men” play reading on March 12, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Beyond acting, Kate expanded her interests into the world of childbirth and motherhood. According to her Instagram, she is a birth and postpartum doula, providing support to women during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives.
Additionally, she became a birth photographer, documenting the intimate moments of families welcoming new life into the world. At the time of writing, Kate’s last Instagram post shared exciting news — she was expecting a child of her own, as revealed in a photo shared in July 2024.
Ted Danson’s life has been marked by both professional success and personal challenges. However, from her work as an actress to her role as a doula and birth photographer, his daughter, Kate Danson, continues to carve out a unique path that blends her family legacy with her own passions.
