Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen were honored with the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award at the 77th Emmy Awards on September 14, 2025. The award, bestowed by the Television Academy, recognizes individuals in the media and entertainment industry whose humanitarian work has made a profound impact, embodying the spirit of Bob Hope's philanthropy. This marks the first time the award has been given to a couple.
Kristen Bell and Michael Schur, colleagues from "The Good Place," presented the award to Danson and Steenburgen during the live telecast. Schur created “The Good Place,” which Danson starred in alongside Bell from 2016-20.
In accepting the award, Danson expressed the significance of the honor, stating, "There's no honor that would mean more to Mary and me than this one, and the fact that it's been given to both of us means the world". Steenburgen added, "If it's true that life is made up of two emotions, love and fear, the world's a little out of balance right now...We don't want to live in fear, so we make ourselves useful working for organizations that move the scale away from fear and put us smack dab in the middle of love".
The couple thanked their parents for setting an example for how to live. Danson reflected on a lesson from his father, stating, "This life is not just about us. A lot of people have come before us, and a lot of people will come after us. It's about our stewardship of what we have been given". Steenburgen added, "Together we have a sacred assignment to remind the world of its dreams, its failures, its laughter, its courage and, most especially, its hope".
Ted Danson, known for his roles in "Cheers," "The Good Place," and "A Man on the Inside," has been a long-time environmentalist and ocean conservation activist. In 1987, he co-founded the American Oceans Campaign (AOC) to raise awareness about the threats of oil spills, offshore development, toxic waste, and sewage pollution. The AOC merged with Oceana in 2001, and Danson has served on its board of directors since, even testifying before the House Committee on National Resources. He has also supported organizations such as the ASPCA, Climate U.S. PAC, the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Malaria No More, and Young Storytellers.
Mary Steenburgen, an Academy Award and Golden Globe winner, has worked with Artists for a Free South Africa, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Heifer International, and No Kid Hungry. She is also an advocate for increasing funding for arts in American schools, serving as a keynote speaker at the 2024 Ohio School Boards Assn. Capital Conference.
Together, Danson and Steenburgen co-founded the non-profit Angels at Risk in 2007 with activist Susie Spain. The organization aims to address drug and alcohol abuse among children, teenagers, and their families by promoting early prevention education and encouraging communication between teens and parents. They also received the Nancy Pelosi Equality Ally Award at the 2024 Equality PAC National Pride Gala for their support of the LGBTQ+ community.
Cris Abrego, chair of the Television Academy, stated, "Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen have long used their voices — and their hearts — to champion causes that uplift the planet and its people...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".
The Bob Hope Humanitarian Award is not presented annually. Past recipients include Oprah Winfrey, Danny Thomas (posthumously), George Clooney, and Sean Penn. The 77th Emmy Awards, hosted by Nate Bargatze, were broadcast live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
