Though probably one TV’s most famous Bostoners, thanks to 'Cheers', Danson actually grew up near the Navajo reservation in Arizona.

His father was a prominent museum director and archaeologist, and sent Ted to Kent School, Connecticut. From there, Ted moved back out west to Stanford University.

Whilst attempting to impress a female student, who was an aspiring actress, Ted found himself at his first acting audition. Loving it, he transferred his studies to the drama department at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh.

Moving to Los Angeles in 1978, Ted trained with Dan Fauci at the famous Actor’s Institute.

Ted initially only secured non-speaking roles, and moved into the world of TV commercials, with some performances which would come back to haunt him later.

It was playing a slimy villain in 'Somerset' on NBC that Danson first came to prominence. In 1978, he received his first film role, as a murdered policeman in 'The Onion Field'. This was followed by a performance in the 1981 movie, 'Body Heat', and an occasional part in the hit TV comedy, 'Taxi'.

TV producer Glen Charles had been watching Danson, and thought him perfect for the newly created role of Sam Malone, an ex-sports star barman lothario, in the new sitcom, 'Cheers'.

The series was to achieve immense success and popularity, and Danson won Emmys for the 1989-90 and 1992-93 seasons.

After having tried, during 'Cheers', to break into films, Danson finally hit the big-time, with his performance as one of the "fathers" in 'Three Men and a Baby', in 1987. Now a big-screen and small-screen star, he appeared in the sequel, ,Three Men and a Little Lady' three years later.

In 1996, Danson appeared as the lead in the TV miniseries adaptation of 'Gulliver’s Travels'. He also appeared in episodes of the 'Cheers' spin-off series, 'Frasier', and opposite his wife in the short-lived TV sitcom, 'Ink'.

Danson is currently to be found playing the lead in the medical comedy 'Becker' on Paramount.

Credit: thebiographychannel.co.uk