Ted Danson was presented with the Carol Burnett Award at the 2025 Golden Globes’ inaugural Golden Gala on Jan. 3, celebrating the Cheers alum for his extraordinary television career.
Everybody definitely knows Ted Danson‘s name at the 2025 Golden Globes.
The Cheers alum was bursting with gratitude as he accepted the Carol Burnett Award during the inaugural Golden Gala on Jan. 3 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills.
“I have to admit I’ve always had a confusing relationship with awards,” the 77-year-old told the audience, as seen in footage from the event obtained by Gold Derby. “If I win, I feel a little embarrassed and lonely. If I don’t win, I feel a little embarrassed and lonely. But not tonight, not tonight.”
Ted—who received the award from his wife of nearly 20 years Mary Steenburgen—then turned toward the award’s namesake Carol Burnett and added, “I am so thrilled to get this award, Carol. I cannot tell you how much it means to me. You have brought so much joy and happiness into households all over the world. You radiate kindness. I love you so much.”
For her part, the Carol Burnett Show alum returned the sentiment, shouting from the crowd, “I love you.”
Continuing his speech, Ted reflected on his career, saying, “As Sam Malone said, I truly am the luckiest son of a b—h I’ve ever met, and Carol, you know what’s wonderful about this award is that every year we are gathered together to celebrate laughter and joy, we will celebrate you, Carol, and we will celebrate all the funny men and women that came before us.”
Ted and Cecil B. DeMille Award recipient Viola Davis also received a special shout out during the Jan. 5 ceremony hosted by Nikki Glaser. (Find out all the winners of the 2025 Golden Globes here.)
The Good Place actor is only the fifth person to receive the honor, which is presented to those who have made outstanding contributions to television, on or off screen, and is chosen based on the impact of their career on both the industry and audiences. Former recipients include the award’s first winner Carol Burnett, in 2019, Ellen DeGeneres in 2020, Norman Lear in 2021 and Ryan Murphy in 2023.
And as Helen Hoehne, President of the Golden Globes, explained, it only made sense that Ted be the next honoree, adding to his three Globes from years past.
Amy Sussman/Getty Images“Ted Danson has entertained audiences for decades with his iconic performances that will forever be ingrained in television history,” she said in a Dec. 2 press release. “His renowned career is a testament to his remarkable talent and versatility as an actor and bears resemblance to the award’s legendary namesake.”
And of course, Ted was incredibly appreciative of the award even before receiving it.
“I would be happy with a cookie named after Carol Burnett,” he joked to Variety in an interview published Jan. 2. “I love her, I adore her, I respect her so much.”
And despite his already historic career and 12 Golden Globe nominations—including one this year for Best Actor in a TV series, Musical or Comedy, for A Man on the Inside alongside fellow nominees Steve Martin (Only Murders in The Building), Jason Segel, (Shrinking), Martin Short (Only Murders in The Building), Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) and Adam Brody (Nobody Wants This)—Ted is still finding new ways to approach the roles he takes on.
Presley Ann/Getty Images for Alliance for Women in Media Foundation“My joy, the thing that makes me happiest in a script or in life, is if you can find the laugh in the sadness,” he told Variety. “Or if it’s a drama, if you can find the laugh underneath it.”
Ted added, “If it’s a comedy, I want to know that there’s sadness at the bottom of that funny. That’s my favorite kind of thing to act.”
But Ted wasn’t the only one picking up a golden statue at the show. Keep reading to see all the winners from the 2025 Golden Globes.
