In a heartfelt and exclusive conversation with Closer Weekly, acclaimed actress Mary Steenburgen spills the beans on how her husband, the legendary Ted Danson, has been her guiding light through a childhood marked by darkness and challenges.
Turns out, even before their paths crossed, Mary had already fallen for Ted. "I've always thought Ted was a genius," Mary shared with Closer, reminiscing about a recent screening hosted by the SAG-AFTRA Foundation for her latest film, Dean. At 64, she carries an elegance and wisdom that only comes from a life well-lived, and she's more than happy to share her story.
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Mary jokes about her early days, saying, "Whenever I was feeling down, I'd watch Cheers to lift my spirits. Eventually, I realized it was easier to just hang out with Sam the bartender!" She chuckles as she shares this, but behind the humor lies a deep truth about how Ted's character has always resonated with her. Their bond was destined from the start.
Mary and Ted, captured in a candid moment in August 2014.
Before tying the knot with Ted in October 1995, Mary faced a challenging childhood in Arkansas. As an Oscar-winning actress, she's achieved great heights, but her journey wasn't always smooth. "My dad suffered a series of heart attacks when I was just a little girl," Mary reveals. "Our lives were shaped by these monumental, traumatic events. I spent my childhood waiting for my father to pass. From the age of eight, I found solace in books, where characters could come back to life, unlike in real life."
Mary's Journey to Stardom
Just two years after landing her breakout role in the 1978 film Goin' South, Mary married her first husband, the talented English actor Malcolm McDowell, in September 1980. The following year, she clinched the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in Melvin and Howard, mere months after welcoming her daughter, Lilly McDowell. "Having Lilly changed everything for me," Mary shares. "My love for her was so overwhelming that it almost overshadowed the Oscar win—which, in Hollywood, is almost blasphemous to admit."
