Key facts
- Ted Danson performed a blackface roast of Whoopi Goldberg in 1993.
- Danson described the act as 'arrogant and stupid.'
- The incident occurred during their affair and was intended to satirize media commentary.
- Danson stated he will apologize for the act for the rest of his life.
- The roast took place at the New York Friars Club.
Ted Danson has expressed profound regret for performing a blackface roast of Whoopi Goldberg in 1993, an act he described as 'arrogant and stupid.' Speaking on W. Kamau Bell's podcast 'Who's With Me?', Danson explained that the incident occurred during their affair and was an attempt to satirize the media's commentary on their interracial relationship. He admitted that his intention to address race relations through edgy performance was misguided and hurtful, realizing that 'the impact you have on people is what matters.' Danson committed to apologizing for the incident for the rest of his life, acknowledging that it resurfaced during the Black Lives Matter movement and led to lost corporate sponsorships. He noted that even his wife, Mary Steenburgen, who has a background in civil rights work, was frustrated by the stunt. Danson reflected that he thought he could 'pull this off' like Robin Williams, but quickly realized the performance was dark and angry, with a significant portion of the audience reacting negatively within seconds.