Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen, the married actors and philanthropists, have been tapped by the board of governors of the TV Academy to receive its Bob Hope Humanitarian Award — in recognition of “a lifetime of extraordinary philanthropy, activism and unwavering commitment to global good” — during the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 14.
The award, which is “given to an individual(s) in the media industry whose deeds and actions have a lasting impact on communities and whose philanthropic efforts exemplify Bob Hope’s decades-long altruism and positive impact on society,” has been presented on an irregular basis since 2002. Past recipients include Oprah Winfrey, Danny Thomas (posthumously), George Clooney and Sean Penn. Danson and Steenburgen, who have been married since 1995, are the first couple to receive it.
“Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen have long used their voices — and their hearts — to champion causes that uplift the planet and its people,” Cris Abrego, chair of the TV Academy, said in a statement. “From environmental advocacy to humanitarian relief, they lead with grace, integrity and purpose. The Television Academy is proud to honor their extraordinary legacy of service with the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award.”
Danson is a deeply committed and longtime environmentalist and ocean conservation activist, co-founding the American Oceans Campaign (AOC) in 1987 to alert Americans to the life-threatening hazards created by oil spills, offshore developments, toxic wastes, sewage pollution and other ocean abuses. The AOC merged with Oceana in 2001. Since then, Danson has served on Oceana’s board of directors and has testified before the House Committee on National Resources on behalf of the cause. Danson has also worked with and supported several other philanthropic organizations, including the ASPCA, Climate U.S. PAC, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Malaria No More, Young Storytellers and more.
Steenburgen has collaborated with numerous organizations and foundations, including Artists for a Free South Africa, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Heifer International, No Kid Hungry and Oceana to amplify their impact. Steenburgen is also a passionate advocate for increasing funding for the arts in schools across the country. Most recently, she served as a keynote speaker at the 2024 Ohio School Board Association Capital Conference to educate administrators about the importance of the arts in public schools. Through her involvement with these various charities and nonprofit organizations, she has helped raise funds, mobilize support and effect policy change on a wide range of issues.
In 2007 Danson and Steenburgen co-founded the nonprofit organization Angels at Risk with activist Susie Spain, which addresses the crisis of children, teenagers and their families who are at risk for drug and alcohol abuse. The organization fights to add early prevention education in all schools and create educational programs and services designed to encourage communication between teens and parents.
Danson and Steenburgen are also outspoken allies of the LGTBQ community. Last year the couple was honored with the Nancy Pelosi Equality Ally Award at the 2024 Equality PAC National Pride Gala in Washington, D.C. This prestigious annual award recognizes extraordinary allies of the community who have proudly and relentlessly stood up for LGBTQ individuals and their rights.
