Ted Danson’s Controversial Moment: Why Apologies Aren’t Enough

Back in 1993, the world was reminded in a rather jarring way that blackface has never been acceptable, a lesson that was painfully highlighted by actor Ted Danson’s ill-fated appearance at a New York Friars Club roast. His misguided attempt to tackle racial issues through the controversial use of blackface and racial slurs drew swift and significant backlash. Notably, leading the charge was David Dinkins, New York City’s first Black mayor. At the time, Danson was in a relationship with Whoopi Goldberg, which he mistakenly believed gave him a platform to comment on race, with the blackface lending a false sense of legitimacy. Realizing the gravity of his error, Danson remains committed to apologizing for this misstep.

Reflecting on the episode, Danson initially tried to reconcile his actions by insisting there was no malicious intention. However, he soon learned a vital lesson: in matters of race, intentions are meaningless in comparison to the impact one’s actions have. Speaking on the “Who’s With Me? with W. Kamau Bell” podcast in June 2026, he acknowledged this hard truth. Although many years have passed, Danson is resolute in his ongoing apologies. “I need to and want to apologize for the rest of my life,” he said, recognizing that new generations may encounter the offensive materials online and feel disappointed. His continuous apologies are a way to express his deep regret and to assure that he’s ashamed of it.

During the controversy, Goldberg defended Danson, arguing that the performance was meant to be shocking rather than offensive. She asserted in The New York Times in 1993 that it had unfairly victimized Danson, who did not deserve the backlash. Goldberg even disclosed that she had approved the act, adding, “If they knew me, they would know that Whoopi has never been about political correctness.” Despite Goldberg’s support, Danson recognized the misjudgment of his acts and has consistently acknowledged the harm they caused.

The repercussions of the roast extended beyond societal backlash. Just a month after the incident, Danson and Goldberg’s celebrated relationship came to an end. Although Goldberg had staunchly defended Danson, the controversy likely contributed to their split. Upon announcing their breakup, representatives pointed to the relentless public scrutiny their interracial romance faced as a significant factor. “In some ways, they seem so different as people. And I can’t believe that whole Friars Club thing helped,” a studio source reportedly told Variety in November 1993, as noted by the Eugene Register-Guard.

Yet, the blackface scandal wasn’t the only dramatic chapter in Danson and Goldberg’s relationship. Their romance sparked during the filming of “Made in America” in 1992, while Danson was still married to Casey Coates. The affair eventually led to a highly publicized divorce when Coates filed in June 1993. Media frenzy over their relationship was relentless, driven by the affair’s revelation and the mixed-race dynamic. “News were going after us, you know, mixed race and affair,” Danson remarked during the “Who’s With Me? with W. Kamau Bell” interview, summarizing the intense public interest that swirled around their high-profile relationship.

Because they were seen as an odd couple, the tabloids continuously came up with theories to justify their unlikely pairing. “It had to be just pure sex. That’s the only reason for a relationship like this. And there was a lot of mean,” Danson told Kamau Bell. By the time the blackface fiasco happened, their relationship was already on the rocks. “Whoopi and I had had an affair. And it was ending,” he said.