Ted Danson: 'Cheers' Pal Kirstie Alley a 'Great Dancer'

'Dancing With the Stars' favorite Kirstie Alley has been given a vote of confidence from her old 'Cheers' co-star, Ted Danson, who tells PopEater that back when she was Rebecca Howe, the actress was known around the set as the go-to dance partner.

"She's a really good dancer," Danson reveals. "She was a great dancer on 'Cheers.' [For] wrap parties, she was the girl to go dancing with. She's great."

Eighteen years after 'Cheers' wrapped, Alley is thriving on 'Dancing,' where she's dubbed 'Hollywood's Most Outrageous Actress.' While she's fighting for 9's and 10's from Bruno and the judges, Danson has primed his focus on cleaner oceans with a new book, 'Oceana: Our Endangered Oceans and What We Can Do to Save Them.'

He tells us that he and his daughter were walking along a beach in Santa Monica some years ago when he came across a sign that said 'Beach Closed -- Water's Polluted' and "I think that started me asking questions."

In 1987 he helped create the American Oceans Campaign, which eventually became Oceana. His acting work aside -- 'Becker,' 'Saving Private Ryan,' 'Bored to Death' -- conservation has been his passion and he knows that's a slippery slope for a star.

"It's tricky to be a celebrity in front of an issue," he admits. "My job has always been to stand in front of a tent and say 'Thank you for watching Cheers. Come on in. Let me introduce you to this scientist, who has something really important to tell you about what's going on in our oceans.'"

Danson is just trying to keep people informed about the most critical threats to the oceans and how with a few changes, real progress can be achieved. "You can become a conscientious consumer," he says. "You can learn what fish are safe for you to eat."

Check out Oceana.org for more information.

Natalie Zea Genelle Frenoy Sarah Gellman Ashley Greene FSU Cowgirls