Actor, 77, Says Staying Curious and Hopeful is the Key to His Positive Mindset

 

Danson on Rejecting the Slowdown

November 18, 2025: Emmy-winning actor Ted Danson, known for beloved roles in Cheers and The Good Place, shared his refreshingly positive philosophy on aging, saying he has embraced the idea that “life becomes fun at any age.”

Speaking at a recent event for the second season premiere of his Netflix series, A Man on the Inside, the 77-year-old actor revealed he once considered slowing down, but has since reversed course.

“When I turned 70, I thought I should slow down,” Danson told in an exclusive interview. “But now… I tell myself, ‘Keep your foot on the gas pedal, stay curious, get out there and stay hopeful.'”

Inspired by His Role and His Wife

Danson credits both his latest character and his personal life for inspiring this lively outlook. His role as retiree-turned-private investigator Charles Nieuwendyk on A Man on the Inside taught him that “you have to get out there.”

Beyond the screen, Danson—who will turn 78 in December—notes that this positive mindset is not just “altruistic” but good for his health and energy. He is famously dedicated to ocean conservation through his work with Oceana and has taken on a new “later-in-life hobby” co-hosting the popular podcast Everybody Knows Your Name with friend Woody Harrelson.

The Message of the New Series

A Man on the Inside, which reunites Danson with The Good Place creator Michael Schur, focuses on the themes of aging, grief, and finding new purpose. Danson’s real-life wife, Mary Steenburgen, is also set to guest star in the new season as Charles’s love interest.

For Danson, the series carries a vital message for everyone: “You get to live right up until you don’t live. And it’s your life. It’s such a gift. Explore it, and be excited about it.” The second season of A Man on the Inside premieres this Thursday, November 20th, on Netflix.