Ted Danson Recalls Clinton's Question on Steenburgen Intentions

Actor Ted Danson recounted a memorable early encounter with former President Bill Clinton during a panel discussion at the History Talks event in Philadelphia on Saturday, where Clinton questioned him about his intentions toward Danson's future wife, actress Mary Steenburgen.

Danson, 78, moderated the conversation alongside Bill and Hillary Clinton. He described how Steenburgen, a longtime friend of the Clintons, introduced him to the couple at the White House shortly after they met in 1993 on the set of the film Pontiac Moon. "One of the first things she did was take me to meet her dear friends in the White House," Danson said. "Bill, Mr. President, took me around the corner, and there were three Secret Service agents behind him, all of them looking at me. The president asked me what my intentions were."

Turning to Clinton during the panel, Danson asked, "My first question is to you, Mr. President: Do you think that was fair?" Clinton replied, "No, but it was effective. And I didn't think I had to be fair. As it turned out, you became the best thing that ever happened to her."

The exchange highlighted the close bond Steenburgen, 73, shared with the Clintons, adding a layer of...