Ted Danson said he will spend the rest of his life apologizing for wearing blackface during a 1993 roast of Whoopi Goldberg at the New York Friars Club. The actor addressed the incident during an appearance on W. Kamau Bell's podcast, calling his decision arrogant and stupid.
Danson performed the roast while he and Goldberg were in a relationship. The performance drew immediate criticism and controversy at the time. The actor acknowledged the severity of his actions more than three decades later, expressing lasting regret for the choice.
The Cheers and The Good Place star reflected on the incident as a significant error in judgment. Blackface has a deeply racist history in American entertainment, used historically to mock and demean Black people through caricatured performances by white actors. The practice is widely recognized as offensive and harmful.
Danson's comments come during a broader cultural reckoning with past entertainment practices that perpetuated racial stereotypes. Many performers and public figures have faced renewed scrutiny for past actions involving blackface, leading to apologies and in some cases the removal of content from streaming platforms.
The actor's willingness to discuss the incident openly represents an acknowledgment of its ongoing impact. Goldberg and Danson ended their relationship in 1994. Danson has continued working in television, most recently appearing in series including A Man on the Inside and the Fargo television adaptation.