Ted Danson Admits He Was Wrong About Shelley Long Being a 'Terrible' Fit for Cheers

Published: June 18, 2025

Ted Danson has admitted that he was wrong about Shelley Long being a bad fit for the role of Diane Chambers on the popular TV show Cheers. In a recent interview on SiriusXM's "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" with co-host Andy Richter, the actor revealed that his initial reaction to Long's casting was negative, but he was proven wrong when she went on to deliver a standout performance.

Danson, 77, said that he had a reputation on the show for being wrong about his suggestions, and that if he suggested something, it would often not work out. He added that he loves being able to have an opinion and that he's okay with being wrong.

"One of my first obvious ones was Cheers casting Shelly Long," Danson said. "And I'm going, 'Oh, no, not Shelly Long. That'd be, that's all wrong. She'd be terrible for that.' And she, right out of the shoot, she became this instant, brilliant character actor doing a brilliant job."

Danson also praised Long's performance, saying that she "put us on the map" with her portrayal of Diane Chambers. He added that Long may not have known about his initial doubts about her casting, but that he meant his comments as a form of compliment.

In a previous interview, Danson had described his initial interactions with Long as "horrible," saying that they were very different and had different approaches to acting. However, he added that their differences worked well on screen, saying that Long was "brilliant" and that she would "smack him back harder" when they worked together.

Danson's admission about being wrong about Long's casting is a refreshing display of humility and a testament to the importance of giving people a chance to prove themselves.

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