PEOPLE & HISTORY

Why did Ted Danson have a medical wake-up call?

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A recent health scare jolted the 78-year-old actor into recognizing his mortality and prompted him to prioritize his health differently.

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Age78 years old
Health StatusDanson says he is totally fine after the scare
RealizationThe incident made him understand that mortality is real and he no longer gets a 'free pass'
Lifestyle ChangesHe now meditates twice daily with his wife Mary Steenburgen
Where He Discussed ItHis podcast 'Where Everybody Knows Your Name' with guest Valerie Bertinelli

The Health Scare and Its Impact

Ted Danson experienced a recent health scare that he describes as a significant wake-up call. Though he states he is totally fine, the incident stripped away any sense that he had a 'free pass' in life. Danson called the experience humbling and said it forced him to confront the reality of mortality. He characterized it as liberating and believes it was the best thing that could have happened to him.

Shift in Perspective

Prior to the health scare, Danson acknowledges he had been casually acknowledging health concerns without actively prioritizing them. The incident marked a turning point where he moved from passive awareness to active engagement with his wellbeing. He joked that since he hadn't caused the health scare through his own actions, he couldn't rationalize it away or say 'if only' about preventative measures he should have taken.

Lifestyle Changes Post-Scare

Following the health scare, Danson has made concrete changes to his daily life. He is now meditating twice a day with his wife Mary Steenburgen, admitting he had previously talked about meditation and lied about doing it. His wife has been central to supporting these lifestyle changes and helping him adjust his priorities.

Public Discussion

Danson publicly discussed his health scare and its effects on his podcast 'Where Everybody Knows Your Name' with guest Valerie Bertinelli. During the conversation, Bertinelli helped him articulate how the experience, unlike a self-inflicted health problem, left no room for regret but instead emphasized acceptance and positive change.

Sources

  1. Ted Danson’s medical wake-up call: Why the TV icon says he no longer gets a ‘free pass’ (foxnews.com)
  2. Ted Danson had ‘10 good years’ in Speedos before wife Mary Steenburgen made the ‘brave move’ to ban them (foxnews.com)