Ted Danson stated this week that he wishes to "apologize forever" for his use of blackface during a roast of Whoopi Goldberg in 1993. In an interview on W. Kamau Bell's podcast, Danson expressed his regret, saying, "I have no problem talking about this, but I need to and want to apologize for the rest of my life because somebody today can go on the internet... and feel betrayed and angry."
Danson described feeling intimidated about roasting Goldberg, whom he referred to as one of the most "outrageous, funny Black women in the world at that point." He explained that he believed he could address the tabloids' negative portrayal of their interracial relationship through performance, leading him to the decision to use blackface.
He acknowledged that his performance was misguided, stating, "I thought I could pull this off... that this White guy could have something valuable to say about race and race relations was so stupid and entitled." Danson noted that he received mixed reactions from the audience, with only a portion understanding his intent.
Reflecting on the incident, he mentioned that it resurfaced during the Black Lives Matter movement, resulting in lost corporate sponsorships and personal distress. Danson concluded, "Your intentions do not matter. The impact you have on people is what matters," emphasizing his ongoing regret and desire to take responsibility for his actions.
