TV Star Recalls Intimidating First Meeting With Bill Clinton

Ted Danson says the former president grilled him on his intentions with wife Mary Steenburgen.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 4:56am by

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An extreme close-up of shimmering sequins and shattered glass, captured in dramatic studio lighting to create a conceptual, abstract representation of the glamour and celebrity culture surrounding the Clintons' relationships in Hollywood.A glittering, high-fashion texture evokes the intersection of politics and celebrity that defined the Clintons' Hollywood connections.San Francisco Today

Actor Ted Danson has recalled being grilled by then-President Bill Clinton when he first started dating Danson's now-wife, Mary Steenburgen. Steenburgen had been close friends with the Clintons since the late 1970s when Clinton was governor of Arkansas, where Steenburgen grew up. Danson said Clinton took him aside and had three Secret Service agents behind him when he asked Danson about his intentions with Steenburgen.

Why it matters

The story provides a glimpse into the close personal relationship between the Clintons and Steenburgen, as well as the scrutiny that high-profile political figures can subject their friends' romantic partners to. It also highlights the Clintons' enduring influence in Hollywood, where they have maintained strong ties with celebrities like Danson and Steenburgen.

The details

Danson and Steenburgen met in 1993 while co-starring in the film Pontiac Moon. They married two years later, and Steenburgen's friendship with the Clintons dates back to the late 1970s when Clinton was governor of Arkansas, where Steenburgen grew up. Danson said that one of the first things Steenburgen did after they became serious was take him to meet the Clintons at the White House. There, Clinton pulled Danson aside with three Secret Service agents behind him and asked Danson about his intentions with Steenburgen.

  • In the 1990s, after Danson and Steenburgen became serious
  • In 1995, Clinton walked Steenburgen down the aisle at her wedding to Danson

The players

Ted Danson

An American actor best known for his role as Sam Malone on the sitcom Cheers.

Mary Steenburgen

An American actress who has been close friends with Bill and Hillary Clinton since the late 1970s when Clinton was governor of Arkansas, where Steenburgen grew up.

Bill Clinton

The 42nd President of the United States, who was close friends with Mary Steenburgen and her family.

Hillary Clinton

The former First Lady, U.S. Senator, and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, who was also close friends with Mary Steenburgen.

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What they’re saying

“Bill—Mr. President—took me around the corner, and there were three Secret Service agents behind him, all of them looking at me. The president asked me what my intentions were.”

— Ted Danson, Actor

“No, but it was effective. And I didn't think I had to be fair. As it turned out, you became the best thing that ever happened to her.”

— Bill Clinton, Former President

The takeaway

The close personal relationship between the Clintons and Mary Steenburgen, and the scrutiny that high-profile political figures can subject their friends' romantic partners to, highlights the enduring influence of the Clintons in Hollywood and the intersection of politics and celebrity.