> At a Glance
> – Mary Steenburgen says she and Ted Danson stay together by avoiding separations
> – The couple, married since 1995, reunited on-screen for A Man on the Inside season 2
> – Steenburgen joined the Netflix comedy as music professor Mona Margadoff
> – Why it matters: Their formula for longevity offers a rare Hollywood love-story blueprint
After three decades of marriage, Mary Steenburgen credits one simple habit for keeping her bond with Ted Danson intact: staying in the same zip code.
The 30-Year Rule: Stay Close
Speaking at a Paley Center event in New York City, the 72-year-old actress told News Of Los Angeles that constant togetherness is their only real guideline.
> “Like a lot of actors, we try not to be separated. Especially as we get older, we really don’t want to be separated.”
Her recent eight-day shoot in Vancouver-dog in tow-proved the point. “We were dying to see each other,” she laughed.
No Rulebook, Just Kindness
Steenburgen insists they don’t need a laundry list of relationship rules.
> “I want him to have the happiest life possible, so I don’t think I need rules to help give him that, and he feels the same way about me.”
Back on Screen Together
The pair’s on-screen reunion came in A Man on the Inside season 2, now streaming after its November 20 premiere.
- Ted Danson plays retiree-turned-sleuth Charles Nieuwendyk
- Mary Steenburgen guest-stars as Mona Margadoff, a music professor
- The duo previously shared an episode of Mr. Mayor
Steenburgen’s casting call triggered instant excitement.
> “When they told me, there was a lot of screaming and jumping up and down. We were both dying because we were so excited to work together.”
Danson echoed the thrill.
> “We’re both actors. We were trained the same way. We had some really good material to work with. We’d get up every morning giggling about what we get to do.”
Key Takeaways
- Constant proximity is the couple’s mainstay for 30 years of marriage
- An eight-day separation felt unbearable, even with their dog along
- Mutual kindness trumps formal relationship rules
- Their latest collaboration keeps the spark alive professionally and personally
For Steenburgen and Danson, love means sharing the spotlight and the living room-no exceptions.
