Sam Malone

SAM MALONE

Nicknamed "Mayday" in his hayday, Sam Malone was a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball, where he met friend and "Cheers" employee Coach Ernie Pantusso. Sam spent his entire career with the Boston Red Sox. At the beginning of the series, Sam's past career in baseball is spoken of as though he had been a very good pitcher who might have become a truly great pitcher had he not been derailed by his alcoholism. Even a particularly obnoxious New York Yankees fan, despite being strongly biased — because of the acrimonious Red Sox – Yankees rivalry — nonetheless acknowledges that Sam "didn't stink", recalling specifically that Sam "had a darn good hard slider." In the later years of the series, however, the derision of Sam's baseball career became a frequent source of comedy for the show's writers. As such, most latterly references to his performance with the Red Sox became decidedly derogatory. By the time of "Indoor Fun with Sam and Robby," an episode from the series' eighth season, even one of Sam's best friends now had a markedly different take on the quality of Sam's slider. In that episode, Carla Tortelli first touts Sam's ability to remain calm under pressure, recalling how, during his baseball career, when the game hung in the balance with two runners on base and the opposition's best hitter up to bat, the Red Sox would turn to "'Mayday' Malone with his 'Slider of Death'". But when asked what would happen next, Norm Peterson replies that Sam would "usually give up a three-run homer ... It was Sam's teammates who called it the 'Slider of Death'." Sam buys "Cheers," as his playing days are winding down. To counteract the suggestion that a show set in a bar might encourage alcohol abuse, the writers depicted Sam as a recovering alcoholic. The backstory was that Sam had bought a bar during his bout with alcoholism. Then, after he achieved sobriety, he decided to continue to own and operate the bar for "sentimental reasons." Considered physically attractive by women (and not especially modest about it), Sam was once married to a woman named Deborah, but his marriage did not last long. Continuing to be a prodigious womanizer (he confesses to Diane after their first kiss that he has been with 400 women)—as he was during his baseball career, Sam allows Norm Peterson, Cliff Clavin, and other male bar patrons to live vicariously through his numerous sexual conquests. Shortly before the end of the series, Sam realizes that he is a sex addict and begins to seek professional counseling. During the series, Sam is romantically involved with Diane Chambers and later with Rebecca Howe, and the romances are the basis of the plots of many episodes. At one point during the series, Sam briefly relapses and began drinking again, spurred by the collapse of his romance with Diane. With the help of Diane and Dr. Frasier Crane, Sam regains his sobriety. Aside from this fleeting episode, Sam never drinks alcohol over the course of the series. A second failed relationship with Diane prompted Sam to sell the bar in an attempt to escape his painful memories. Sam soon regrets that decision and returns to the bar to work there as an employee, under the management of new manager Rebecca Howe. He later succeeds in his quest to reclaim ownership of the bar. Sam was both the first and the last character to be seen on the show, as the first and last episodes were bookended. In the opening episode of the series, "Give Me a Ring Sometime", the first scene is that of Sam strolling out of the bar's backroom to open "Cheers" for the day. In the last episode, "One for the Road," the final scene depicts Sam closing "Cheers" for the night — telling a potential patron outside (and, in effect, also telling the show's viewers), "Sorry ... we're closed" — and then strolling back into the backroom.

TED DANSON

Edward Bridge “Ted” Danson (III) was born in San Diego, California. Ted, the son of Jessica Danson and Edward Bridge Danson, Jr., an archaeologist and museum director, was raised in Flagstaff, Arizona. He became interested in drama while attending Stanford University. He transferred to the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now known as Carnegie Mellon University) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in drama. Danson began his television career as a contract player on the daytime soap opera, "Somerset," playing the role of "Tom Conway." He was also in a number of commercials, most recognizably as the "Aramis man." He made a number of guest appearances in episodic television, including spots on "Laverne and Shirley," "B.J. and the Bear," "Family," "Benson," "Taxi," "Magnum, P.I.," and "Tucker's Witch." Danson was cast in his most recognizable role, as ex-baseball player and bartender Sam Malone on the hit sitcom "Cheers." The show had a run of 11 seasons and its finale was watched by 80 million people, becoming the second most watched finale in television history, behind M*A*S*H which was watched by 126 million people. Danson received 11 consecutive Emmy nominations for "Outstaning Lead Actor in a Comedy Series", although he had only won two Emmys. For the role of Sam, Danson also received nine Golden Globe nominations, also winning only two of the Awards. Although he was best known for his work in comedy, he also appeared in an acclaimed drama, "Something About Amelia," about a family devastated by the repercussions of incest, which co-starred his future "Damages" co-star, Glenn Close. For his "Something About Amelia" role, Danson won a Golden Globe Award for "Best Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie" and was also nominated for an Emmy. After "Cheers concluded, Danson starred in the short-lived CBS sitcom "Ink" with his real-life wife Mary Steenburgen. In the same year, they starred as Lemuel Gulliver and his wife in an acclaimed television miniseries of "Gulliver's Travels." Danson went on to star in the successful CBS sitcom, "Becker." Ted played Dr. John Becker, a Harvard Medical School graduate, who happened to be a good doctor, but had a not-so-good attitude. Danson returned to series television, playing a psychiatrist, in the ABC sitcom "Help Me Help You," which was canceled in midseason due to low ratings. Danson also had the honor of receiving a star on the "Hollywood Walk of Fame." Danson also starred in the HBO comedy series, "Bored to Death," playing George. Critics have often praised Danson as being the highlight of the program, calling his character a "scene-stealer." Although he has had major success in television, Danson has also been featured in numerous films. His most notable film appearances were in "Three Men and a Baby" (with Tom Selleck and Steve Guttenberg), its sequel "Three Men and a Little Lady," and "Cousins" (with Isabella Rossellini). He also appeared in "The Onion Field" (his first film, as the bagpiper), "Creepshow," "Body Heat," "Just Between Friends," "A Fine Mess," "Made in America," "Getting Even with Dad," and "Saving Private Ryan." Danson and his marriages to his first wife, (Randy Gosch, now professionally known as Randy Danson), and second wife (Casey Coates) both ended in divorce. Danson's marriage to Coates ended after reports surfaced that pointed to Danson having an affair with actress/Academy Award Winner, Whoopi Goldberg. Danson's divorce cost him 30 million dollars and his affair with Goldberg soon became even more public. Danson experienced substantial negative press attention after his appearance at a Friar's Club comedy roast in honor of, then-girlfriend, Goldberg. Guests were said to be angered by the monologue he delivered, which included many offensive references. Goldberg later admitted to writing the skit with him. Shortly after Danson and Goldberg broke up, Danson married actress Mary Steenburgen. His Birthday is December 29th.