The $30 million price of a lifelong apology

Ted Danson has publicly apologized for performing in blackface during a 1993 Friars Club roast of Whoopi Goldberg,calling it an arrogant and stupid decision that he will regret for the rest of his life.

The incident, which resurfaced in public discussions, involved Danson, who was dating Goldberg at the time, using dark makeup and making offensive jokes.

Speaking on his SiriusXM podcast "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" with guest Kelsey Grammer, Danson explained the context: his relationship with Goldberg was ending, and both had tried to back out of the event but felt obligated to participate.

Lacking a background in stand-up comedy, Danson struggled with how to approach the roast.

After reflecting on the material, which he acknowledged was inherently comedic, he decided to pursue a "performance theater" route, leading to the disastrous decision to use blackface.

He ran the concept by Goldberg beforehand, specullating that she may not have wanted to stifle his creativity.

The performance was met with immediate backlash, and the fallout has haunted him ever since.

Danson expressed deep remorse for the pain he caused and for the repeated burden placed on Goldberg to defend him over the years.

He also apologized to Kelsey Grammer for a separate, unreelated argument they had on the set of "Cheers," though the primary focus was the blackface incident.

Whoopi Goldberg has consistently defended Danson, describing her actions as sweet and graceful, but Danson recognizes that she should never have been put in that position.

He now fully understands the arrogance and stupidity of his actions, admitting that he mistakenly thought he could pull it off.

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The apology underscores a lifelong reckoning with a profoundly hurtful and racist act.

The incident has left a lasting stain on his conscience, and Danson's apology serves as a reminder of the enduring harm of racist performance.

As Danson reflects on the material, he acknowledges that he lacked the comedic background to navigate the roast appropriately.

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The incident has resurfaced in public discussions, with many calling for greater accountability in the entertainment industry.

Danson's apology serves as a reminder of the importance of self-reflection and personal accountability .

The incident has also sparked a wider conversation about the impact of racist performance on marginalized communities.

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The apology has been met with a mixed response, with some praising Danson's willingness to confront his past mistakes and others criticizing the timing and sincerity of the apology.

As the conversation around the incident continues to unfold, one thing is clear: Danson's apology marks a significant step towards reckoning with a painful and racist past.