Humor, intensity and good examples

“My lessons didn't come at my father's knee. Like all good lessons, they were learned from example.” – Ted Danson

Born on this date in 1947, Danson is not only an award winning actor but also an author and producer.  He has starred in numerous television series and movies and is a leading environmentalist and activist for ocean conservation.   His first book was written on the subject:  Oceana: Our Endangered Oceans and What We Can Do to Save Them, co-authored with Michael D'Orso.

A native Californian, his activism toward clean oceans and the environment began when he would walk the beaches with his kids and find himself “unable to explain why the water was so polluted that they couldn’t go swimming.”

Nominated for numerous Emmys, Golden Globes and People’s Choice Awards, he has won several in each category – primarily for his comedic roles, especially on the long-running series “Cheers.”  While he has taken on more serious acting roles and the serious efforts on behalf of our world’s oceans – including continued writing on the topic – he said humor still is important in his own life and for the world.  
                                  “When people are in the midst of really heavy stuff and still have a sense of humor, I admire that,” he said.  “Humor can bring people under the tent. And a good joke can deflect some of the intensity surrounding a serious subject.”

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