Mary Steenburgen’s Biggest Career Regret Is Secret, Like That Time You Ghosted Tinder
KEY POINTS
- •Mary Steenburgen, 73, revealed on The Daily Beast’s podcast that she skipped a role she 'probably should have done.'
- •She refuses to name the role out of respect but says missing it led her to marry Ted Danson in 1995 and their blended family.
- •Steenburgen encourages actors to avoid jealousy over lost roles, calling acting a cooperative craft, and celebrates both hits and 'turkeys.'
At 73, Mary Steenburgen confessed on The Daily Beast’s 'Obsessed' podcast that she made 'one big mistake' by passing on a role she 'probably should have done'—but in true celebrity mystery mode, she guards it like it’s the plot twist in a Nolanesque thriller, refusing to reveal who snagged the gig instead. She credits this ghosted role for leading her straight into marrying Ted Danson in 1995, thereby gaining two stepdaughters named Kate and Alexis—as if missing a part turned into a cosmic Tinder match. Steenburgen says her 'weird spirituality' assures her that embarrassment would have been worse than the awkward family Thanksgiving invites she now enjoys. She also encourages fellow actors to stop treating Hollywood like the Hunger Games, calling acting 'not a competitive sport,' while bragging about making 'epically good turkeys.' Meanwhile, her Hollywood pals Anne Hathaway and Cillian Murphy share their own 'missed connections,' proving that starry-eyed regrets are as common as awkward stubble on a Batman casting call.
Share the Story
(1 of 3)Mary Steenburgen passed on a role but gained a husband and stepkids, proving the real Hollywood power move is accidental family building, not Oscar snubs.
Some actors stalk roles; Mary Steenburgen ghosts them respectfully and scores a Ted Danson sequel instead.
Skipping a movie role so you can collect two stepdaughters from other marriages? Mary Steenburgen plays 4D chess while the rest just play audition hopscotch.
Source: Businessinsider | Published: 7/20/2026 | Author: Amanda Goh
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