Ted Danson Details His “Humbling” Health Scare

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Ted Danson is toasting to a new chapter of his life following a terrifying ordeal.

The former star of Cheers revealed he recently went through a health issue that made him realize how important it is to enjoy life to the fullest.

Ted recently shared on his podcast, Where Everybody Knows Your Name, that a health scare, thankfully minor, gave him a new perspective. He explained that while he’s completely recovered, the experience was a powerful reminder of what truly matters in life.

The experience was especially humbling for the 78-year-old, as it truly brought home the reality of his own mortality.

“It’s not just a rumor,” he joked. “‘Ted Danson doesn’t get a free pass. Love his work.’”

The Emmy-winning actor didn’t reveal many details about his health problems, but he mentioned he hadn’t done anything to cause them, which made the situation even more unexpected.

He said the experience was surprisingly peaceful and grounding, and that he was okay. He believes it was ultimately a positive turning point in his life, and he’s already started making some changes.

Honestly, seeing him go through everything really made me admire how he started focusing on his well-being. He completely revamped his daily routine, and it was so heartwarming to learn he and his wife, Mary Steenburgen, started meditating together twice a day after 30 years of marriage. It’s just lovely to see them prioritize their health like that.

“It’s like, wow, I’ve always talked about it,” he quipped, “and lied about it.”

Beyond making positive lifestyle changes, Ted says this experience has given him something even more valuable: a greater appreciation for the people in his life.

He explained that it’s good to be interested in others, to really listen to them, and to offer support and care. Simply being present for them is also important.

You know, listening to Ted always gets me thinking. He said something that really resonated with me – he feels his purpose now is simply to stay curious and truly listen to others. And honestly, he believes that’s the most valuable thing he can contribute to the world. It’s a beautiful thought, and I completely agree!

For a look at more stars who have experienced their own health scares, keep reading.

Nikki Bella, known from Total Bellas, shared that one of her breast implants moved after being hit during an elbow strike from wrestler Piper Niven in a match that took place in July 2025.

She reassured her sister, Bella Garcia, saying they would get the issue resolved eventually. She explained to the doctor that as soon as she finished her current commitments – implying after her divorce was finalized – she would return to address the problem and make things look good. She wanted to ensure everything was presentable, as she anticipated future activity and didn’t want it to appear neglected.

Lupita Nyong’o received a diagnosis of uterine fibroids—non-cancerous growths in or around the uterus—in 2014, which was also the year she won an Academy Award for her acting.

She didn’t share her diagnosis until 2025, when she revealed on Instagram that she had been privately struggling with it for over ten years.

She explained that growing up, many girls are told to expect pain with their periods, and to accept it as a normal part of womanhood. This often leaves people dealing with a common issue in silence and feeling isolated.

 

In July 2025, the actress from Daisy Jones & The Six revealed she’d been hospitalized for a hernia. This happened because she’d been wearing pants that were too tight, which caused a gap to form in her abdominal muscles.

I saw this hilarious message from a friend on X, the platform we used to know as Twitter, and it really got me thinking! She playfully called me out for being quiet online, and then dropped this amazing story! Apparently, she’s been dealing with a hernia – caused by a pair of very tight pants six months ago! – and has been too embarrassed to mention it. It’s a funny reminder that you never really know what someone else is going through, and sometimes the most unexpected things are happening behind the scenes. It just proves that a little humor can get you through anything, even a pants-related medical issue!

The former star of Beverly Hills, 90210 shared in April 2025 that he was recovering from surgery to fix a nearly burst appendix.

Brian shared in an Instagram video that he recently experienced stomach pain which led him to the emergency room. He explained he had a perforated appendix – it hadn’t fully burst, but was very close to doing so.

He added, “I’m on the road to recovery. It’s not an easy process. This is my first major surgery.”

A Racing Louisville soccer player fell to the ground early in the team’s game against Seattle Reign on September 14th at Lumen Field in Seattle.

According to Reuters, the U.S. Women’s National Team player was seen slowly sitting down on the field with a teammate supporting her, just before she collapsed. Trainers were immediately called to assess her condition.

I was so relieved to hear that Savannah got immediate medical attention right on the field. The NWSL posted later that night that she was taken to a local hospital to be checked out further, but thankfully, she’s stable and alert. It was scary, but I’m breathing a little easier knowing she’s doing okay.

Adam Devine revealed that injuries from being hit by a cement truck at age 11 continue to cause him problems even now.

“It’s been incredibly difficult,” Devine shared on the In Depth With Graham Bensinger podcast in 2025. “I’ve been experiencing spasms all over my body, and doctors recently told me I was facing a life-threatening situation—within the last year, actually.”

He explained that his pain is intermittent, saying, “My body has a few quirks and isn’t quite perfect.”

A former contestant on The Bachelor went to the hospital because of severe back pain. He said he was in so much pain he had to crawl to get help, and the pain got worse during a road trip with a friend.

He described a strange tingling sensation in his knees and toes during a March 2025 episode of his podcast, Trading Secrets. He explained that just a few weeks prior, he was able to squat 295 pounds, but now he can’t even do a single squat or stand on one leg without falling. He compared the feeling to having a stroke.

But with the help of a back specialist and some steroids, he added, “We’re on the mend.”

Gina Kirschenheiter, from The Real Housewives of Orange County, revealed that her ex-husband, Matt Kirschenheiter, had a heart attack in March 2025, but he is recovering well.

In March 2025, the actor from 30 Rock experienced a medical issue at a New York Knicks game and had to be taken out of Madison Square Garden in a wheelchair.

Okay, so I totally freaked out when I heard he was sick! But then, thankfully, he posted an update! It turned out it wasn’t anything serious, just food poisoning. He said he was already feeling better, which was SUCH a relief. I seriously couldn’t breathe until I knew he was okay!

In February 2025, the former Even Stevens star revealed she was shot in the face during a birthday celebration for her husband, Brendan Rooney. They were on a clay pigeon shooting trip when the incident occurred.

In an Instagram post, she explained that she was accidentally shot in the face by someone at a party who fired a gun unsafely. Thankfully, @thebrendanrooney quickly helped her, evaluated her injuries, and drove her to the hospital. She was hit five times, and one bullet came dangerously close to her right eye – less than an inch away.

The Kim Possible actress explained that a small piece of something got stuck behind her eye. Doctors have advised against removing it with surgery right now, and they’ll continue to watch her condition, as her vision is currently normal.

The actress expressed immense gratitude for surviving. She shared her deep love for her daughters, husband, family, and friends, explaining that experiencing a near-death moment made her realize how quickly life can change. She urged everyone to cherish their loved ones and hug them whenever possible.

Amy Schumer is grateful for the internet, despite its downsides, because it helped her discover a health issue. After noticing she looked “puffier” and receiving critical comments online, doctors began commenting on interviews, suggesting she might have Cushing syndrome, a condition often linked to high cortisol levels or steroid injections. This prompted Amy to realize she’d received steroid injections after a breast reduction and C-section. She later learned she had a form of Cushing syndrome that would resolve on its own, and was incredibly relieved to receive a good prognosis. As she shared, finding out she was healthy was “the greatest news imaginable.”

During a December 2024 game, an AHL player was accidentally cut in the face by another player’s skate and needed 25 stitches to close the wound. After his son made a full recovery, New Jersey Devils General Manager Tom Fitzgerald shared with ESPN how relieved they were, saying, “We feel very fortunate, and I wouldn’t want any parent to go through that.”

In March 2022, Hailey Bieber experienced a frightening health scare while having breakfast with her husband, Justin. She suddenly started having stroke-like symptoms, and couldn’t speak or control the right side of her face. Although her symptoms briefly stopped, she went to the hospital to get checked out. Doctors discovered she had a small blood clot in her brain, which they identified as a TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack). Further testing at UCLA revealed Hailey had a hole in her heart called a patent foramen ovale (PFO). This hole allowed the blood clot to travel to her brain, causing the TIA. Hailey has since had a successful procedure to close the hole in her heart and is now doing well.

The same year Hailey faced a health issue, Justin also went through a difficult time. In June 2022, he revealed he had been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which caused temporary paralysis on one side of his face. This forced him to cancel the remaining dates of his Justice World Tour.

In a video posted to Instagram, Justin explained that the virus affected the nerves in his ear and face, preventing him from blinking, smiling, or moving his nostril on the affected side. He also shared that it had become increasingly difficult for him to eat.

Fortunately, the paralysis eventually went away. Hailey shared on Good Morning America that Justin was recovering well and feeling much better, adding that they were grateful he was going to be okay. It had been a frightening and unexpected situation, but he was expected to make a full recovery.

Jamie Foxx recently shared details about the serious health scare he experienced in April 2023, which he had initially kept private. In his 2024 Netflix special, What Had Happened Was…, he explained that he was suffering from a severe headache when he suddenly collapsed. He doesn’t remember the next twenty days.

Initially, a doctor gave him a cortisone shot and sent him home, but his sister, Deidra Dixon, was worried and took him to the hospital. There, doctors discovered he’d had a brain bleed that led to a stroke.

Twenty days after surgery, on May 4th, Jamie woke up in a wheelchair unable to walk. He then traveled to Chicago for rehabilitation and therapy. He expressed deep gratitude for the prayers he received, saying, “I needed every prayer.”

The reality TV star shared that she briefly stopped breathing while running a mile during the first challenge on the NBC show.

She shared on the show Fit for TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser that her memory of the event was fragmented. She recalled hearing a helicopter, feeling like she was floating, and then seeing her grandfather. After that, she remembered only darkness, followed by light, leading her to realize she had died that day.

She explained that her organs were failing. She hadn’t known she had rhabdomyolysis, a condition where the body essentially starts to shut down.

Emilia Clarke, known for her role in Game of Thrones, revealed a harrowing health battle in a 2019 essay for The New Yorker. While filming the series, she experienced a severe headache while at the gym, quickly followed by intense pain and vomiting. She realized something was seriously wrong, suspecting brain damage.

A hospital scan revealed she’d suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a life-threatening stroke caused by a ruptured aneurysm. She underwent immediate surgery to repair it, but the pain was excruciating. During her recovery, she temporarily lost her ability to speak, often muttering incoherently.

Though she left the hospital after a month, a 2013 scan revealed the aneurysm had grown, requiring a second surgery. This procedure failed, causing a major bleed, and doctors warned her survival was at risk. They had to perform a more invasive surgery, accessing her brain directly through her skull.

Fortunately, Emilia reports she has now made a full recovery and is doing well.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m always inspired by stories of resilience, and Cori Broadus, Snoop Dogg’s daughter, is a perfect example. She recently shared her health journey with me, and it’s truly moving. Back in January 2024, Cori suffered a pretty severe stroke, and she immediately reached out to her family. She told TopMob News that they all rushed to be there for her, and she’s so grateful for their support. Unfortunately, her hospital stay ended up being longer than expected because she was also dealing with some lupus and kidney issues. But the good news is, Cori is now doing great! She’s been working on regaining some motor skills, and she’s feeling much better overall. It just goes to show you the power of family and a positive attitude when facing health challenges.

Shailene Woodley struggled with her health throughout her early twenties. In a September 2024 podcast interview, she explained that she experienced hearing loss, extreme fatigue, and digestive issues. She saw many doctors who offered different diagnoses, leaving her feeling confused.

Drawing on her background in holistic medicine and herbalism, Shailene sought answers by combining traditional medical care with alternative healing methods. This search for well-being spanned a decade.

She explained that the physical discomfort led to emotional challenges, including fear of food and struggles with body image and identity. Ultimately, after years of focusing on both her physical and mental health, Shailene has fully recovered and is now very healthy. She’s grateful to be in such a good place.

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2026-05-07 01:22