Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen have been one of Hollywood’s most enduring couples. Married for 30 years, the pair celebrated their milestone anniversary in October 2025. In a candid interview with PEOPLE, they opened up about their relationship, revealing the one thing that occasionally sparks conflict between them.
Honesty at the Core
Steenburgen, 72, says her husband knows her better than anyone else. “He really knows who I am. He knows the most petty, small, ugly parts of me. And he knows the highest, soulful, aspirational parts of me and somehow loves the whole thing,” she shared. For her, honesty has been the foundation of their marriage, even when it means confronting imperfections. Danson, 77, agrees but admits he sometimes struggles with self-reflection. “The only time we fight or get angry with each other is when I am wrong,” he confessed. He explained that when Steenburgen points out something that hurt her feelings, he resists at first. “I argue and resist until I finally go, ‘Yeah, yeah. That’s me.’”
Embracing Imperfection
While Danson hesitates to admit fault, Steenburgen says she readily accepts her flaws. “I actually know and cop to how deeply imperfect I am. Ted doesn’t like doing that,” she noted. Their dynamic highlights the balance between vulnerability and resistance, a balance that has kept their marriage strong for three decades.
From Screen Partners to Real-Life Soulmates
The couple first met while filming Pontiac Moon in the 1990s. Their on-screen chemistry blossomed into a real-life romance, leading to marriage in 1995. Since then, they have built a life together filled with laughter, honesty, and shared passion for acting. Recently, Steenburgen joined Danson in season 2 of A Man on the Inside. Playing opposite her husband as his love interest, she described the experience as “so honored and lucky.” Danson called her casting a “dream come true,” and the pair delighted in working side by side.
Sharing Work and Life
For two and a half months, the couple shared not only scenes but also a trailer — with their dog along for the ride. Steenburgen said the experience was joyful: “We don’t get bored with each other. I still feel like we have a whole lot of stuff I want to talk to him about.” Danson echoed her sentiments, saying they spent their days giggling and enjoying the creative process together. Their collaboration on A Man on the Inside reflects the deep bond they’ve nurtured both personally and professionally.
A Marriage Built on Connection
After 30 years, Danson and Steenburgen remain as connected as ever. Their willingness to embrace honesty, even when it leads to conflict, has strengthened their relationship. As Steenburgen put it, she has “never been as known as I am by him.”
