Ted Danson recalls Bill Clinton intimidating him before his date with Mary Steenburgen
Ted Danson Was Interrogated by Bill Clinton Over His Intentions Toward Then-Date Mary Steenburgen — With Secret Service Watching
Ted Danson’s romance with his now-wife, Mary Steenburgen, was not easy because he had to prove his intentions toward her to then-President Bill Clinton. The veteran actor recalled the tense situation from back in the day, stating that his wife had used him to test his character.
Interestingly, this was no ordinary conversation, because Danson mentioned that he had to clarify his intentions about his date, and with Secret Service agents standing nearby. The 42nd President gave a witty reply as they recalled the incident.
‘I Didn’t Think I Had To Be Fair’
Ted Danson recalls a hilarious incident involving Bill Clinton during a date with Mary Steenburgen.
According to Variety, Ted Danson was moderating a panel with Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton at History Talks. During the event, Danson told the audience that his wife, Steenburgen, had always shared a close bond with the Clintons “since the early days.”
He continued that she had always used her powerful friends to test the character of the men she dated. Danson recalled facing the same vetting process early in their courtship. He said, “One of the first things she did was take me to meet her dear friends in the White House.”
The actor continued that Clinton, who was the then-President, took him around the corner. Danson added, “There were three Secret Service agents behind him, all of them looking at me. The president asked me what my intentions were.” He then turned to the 42nd President, asked him, “Do you think that was fair?”
Bill Clinton answered, “No, but it was effective. And I didn’t think I had to be fair.” Following a moment of silence, Clinton continued, “As it turned out, you became the best thing that ever happened to her.”
Ted Danson Couldn’t Imagine His Life Without Mary Steenburgen
The couple met in 1993 on the set of the film Pontiac Man, and instantly became one of the most beloved couples. They married in 1995 and have been madly in love with each other.
Interestingly, the actor had always been in love with Steenburgen. During an exclusive interview with PEOPLE magazine, the actor explained that he had to propose to her because he could not “imagine not being with her at all times.”
He continued that even after being with her for so many years, he would gladly sign up for “100 more lifetimes” to be with her. Likewise, his wife shared a similar sentiment, saying that he makes her a better person and his actions make him a “truly beautiful human being” and have a big soul.
She added, “I love how he sees the world and how he cares about people, and he’s deeply hilarious, which is super, super s--- to me, and he smells really nice.” Later, in the interview, the couple said they had each privately repeated a phrase before production began on Pontiac Man, that is, “We cannot be in a relationship.”
Danson added that he couldn’t be in a relationship because he would ruin things, and Steenburgen shared a similar sentiment. However, they started off as friends, and she started feeling Ted Danson’s absence and gradually fell in love with him.