Edward Bridge "Ted" Danson III (born December 29, 1947) is an American actor, author, and producer, well known for his role as lead character Sam Malone in the sitcom Cheers, and his role as Dr. John Becker on the sitcom Becker. He also starred in the CBS dramas and as D.B. Russell. He also plays a recurring role on Larry David's HBO sitcom Curb Your Enthusiasm, starred alongside Glenn Close in legal drama Damages and was a regular on the HBO comedy series Bored to Death.