7 Surprising Facts About Mary Steenburgen: Her 2025 Netflix Role, Oscar Win, And Mysterious Musical Talent

The enduring career of Mary Steenburgen continues to captivate audiences, with the acclaimed actress making headlines in late 2024 and early 2025 for a series of exciting new projects and candid interviews about her life with husband Ted Danson. An Oscar and Golden Globe winner, Steenburgen is not just a beloved Hollywood veteran but also a talented musician, a fact that often surprises even her most dedicated fans. This article provides the most current, up-to-date information on her professional life, including her upcoming Netflix collaboration and a new feature film, alongside a deep dive into her remarkable and unique biography.

As of today, December 10, 2025, Mary Steenburgen is balancing a busy schedule that includes a return to television alongside her husband, a new comedy film, and her ongoing passion for songwriting. Her ability to seamlessly transition between dramatic roles, comedy features, and a serious musical career solidifies her status as one of the industry's most versatile and fascinating figures.

Mary Steenburgen: Complete Biography and Profile

Mary Nell Steenburgen is an American actress, comedian, singer, and songwriter known for her charming demeanor and ability to portray a wide range of characters across film and television. Born in Newport, Arkansas, her journey from a small-town upbringing to an Academy Award winner is a testament to her talent and dedication. Her career is marked by a blend of critical acclaim and commercial success, making her a staple in Hollywood for over four decades.

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• Full Name: Mary Nell Steenburgen
• Date of Birth: February 8, 1953
• Place of Birth: Newport, Arkansas, U.S.
• Education: Studied at New York's Neighborhood Playhouse in the 1970s.
• Spouses: Malcolm McDowell (m. 1980; div. 1990), Ted Danson (m. 1995–present)
• Children: Two (with Malcolm McDowell): Lilly McDowell and Charlie McDowell. She is also a stepmother to Ted Danson's two daughters.
• Major Awards:
  • Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (1980) for *Melvin and Howard*.
  • Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture (1980) for *Melvin and Howard*.
  • Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Song (2018) for "Glasgow (No Place Like Home)" from the film *Wild Rose*.
• Notable Filmography Highlights: *Melvin and Howard* (1980), *Time After Time* (1979), *Parenthood* (1989), *Philadelphia* (1993), *Elf* (2003), *The Proposal* (2009), *The Help* (2011), *Book Club* (2018), *Book Club: The Next Chapter* (2023).
• Notable Television Highlights: *Gulliver's Travels* (1996), *Joan of Arcadia* (2003–2005), *The Last Man on Earth* (2015–2018), *The Good Place* (2019–2020).
• Current Residence: Santa Monica, California.

The Latest: Mary Steenburgen’s 2025 Film and TV Projects

The year 2025 is shaping up to be a busy one for Mary Steenburgen, highlighted by a major announcement that sees her once again sharing the screen with her husband, Ted Danson. After decades of marriage, the couple continues to find professional ways to collaborate, much to the delight of their fans.

Joining Ted Danson for 'A Man on the Inside' Season 2

In one of the most significant pieces of news for her fans, Netflix officially announced in March 2025 that Mary Steenburgen would be joining the cast for the second season of Ted Danson’s comedy series, *A Man on the Inside*. The show, created by Michael Schur, marks a highly anticipated reunion for the couple, who have previously worked together on projects like *The Good Place* and *Gulliver's Travels*.

However, the announcement came with a humorous anecdote revealing some behind-the-scenes tension with the show's creator. Steenburgen publicly joked about being "mad at Michael Schur" for a specific creative choice: aging up her character in the series. Schur, known for his work on shows like *Parks and Recreation* and *The Good Place*, admitted that "No one's ever been angrier at me," when discussing the actress's reaction to the decision to make her character a bit older than she is in real life. This playful public exchange highlights the strong, long-standing relationship between the actress and the creative team, promising a lively and engaging performance in the upcoming season.

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Upcoming Feature Film 'Let's Have Kids!'

Beyond her television commitments, Steenburgen is also set to return to the big screen in the feature film *Let's Have Kids!*. Directed by Adam Sztykiel, the comedy stars Karen Gillan and Zoe Chao and centers on two best friends who decide to try and get pregnant at the same time. While details about Steenburgen's role remain under wraps, her involvement suggests a return to the ensemble comedy format that proved so successful with the *Book Club* franchise, the sequel of which, *Book Club: The Next Chapter*, was released in 2023.

The Unexpected Second Career: Steenburgen's Life as a Songwriter and Accordion Player

While her acting accolades are well-documented, one of the most unique and compelling aspects of Mary Steenburgen's life is her parallel career as a serious musician. This passion for music developed later in life, following a minor surgical procedure in 2007, which she has described as a sudden, almost mystical awakening of musical talent.

The Mysterious Call to Music

Steenburgen has recounted the extraordinary story of waking up one day with an overwhelming, almost demanding urge to play music. This new, mysterious talent led her to learn to play the accordion and begin writing songs. Her husband, Ted Danson, supported this newfound obsession, even buying her first accordion on Valentine’s Day, though he admitted the sudden shift initially "freaked him out." This unexpected creative chapter has been a significant focus of her recent interviews, providing a fresh and deeply personal angle to her public persona.

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An Award-Winning Songwriter

This unexpected musical journey is not merely a hobby; it has resulted in professional success and critical recognition. Mary Steenburgen has penned numerous songs, and one, in particular, earned her a major award. She wrote the song "Glasgow (No Place Like Home)" for the 2018 musical film *Wild Rose*, which earned her the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Song. Her work is now published by Universal Music Publishing Group, showcasing that her talent is taken seriously within the music industry.

Her ability to write music and play the accordion has become a signature element of her public appearances, often discussed in interviews with friends and colleagues like Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg. It serves as a fascinating example of a celebrity embracing a completely new creative path well into an already established and successful career.

Steenburgen and Danson: A Timeless Hollywood Romance

No discussion of Mary Steenburgen is complete without mentioning her nearly three-decade-long marriage to actor Ted Danson. The couple, who met on the set of the 1994 film *Pontiac Moon*, are frequently cited as one of Hollywood's most enduring and beloved pairings. Their relationship is often a topic in current news, with both actors giving recent interviews (2024 and 2025) about their life together.

Danson and Steenburgen have been open about the secrets to their lasting marriage, which involves a deep mutual admiration and a shared sense of humor. In a recent interview, Danson gushed about his wife, highlighting their shared intellectual connection and morning ritual of reading the newspaper together. Their collaborative work on *A Man on the Inside* is just the latest chapter in a life built on mutual support, both personally and professionally. Their appearances at events like PaleyFest 2025 and the Emmy celebrations consistently draw media attention, solidifying their status as a Hollywood power couple.