Danson and Steenburgen Make Emmy History with Humanitarian Award

Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen became the first couple to jointly accept the Television Academy’s Bob Hope Humanitarian Award at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday for their lifelong philanthropy and activism.
The award recognizes “a lasting impact on communities” and celebrates the pair’s dedication to environmental conservation, children’s education and global relief efforts, underscoring the power of celebrity advocacy in today’s social landscape.
Historic Honor
Kristen Bell and Michael Schur presented the award during the live telecast at the Peacock Theater. Danson and Steenburgen accepted amid applause, marking the first time in the award’s 23-year history that it has been bestowed on a married couple.
Championing Causes
- Ocean Conservation: Danson co-founded the American Oceans Campaign in 1987 (now merged with Oceana) and has testified before Congress on marine pollution.
- Substance-Abuse Prevention: The duo co-founded Angels at Risk in 2007, promoting early drug and alcohol education in schools and fostering family communication.
- Arts and Education: Steenburgen advocates for arts funding in public schools, delivering keynote addresses to highlight creative programs’ role in student achievement.
Voices of Impact
“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,” Danson said onstage. Steenburgen added, “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”.
Award Legacy and Significance
Established in 2002, the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award is bestowed irregularly to industry figures whose altruism echoes Bob Hope’s lifetime of service. Previous honorees include Oprah Winfrey, Danny Thomas and George Clooney. Danson and Steenburgen join this select group as pioneers of joint recognition, highlighting the growing trend of collaborative celebrity activism on a global stage.
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