Ted Danson Surprises Plainfield Diageo Employees

PLAINFIELD, IL — Actor Ted Danson made a stop in Plainfield on Wednesday, surprising employees at the Diageo facility as he got an up-close look at how Smirnoff vodka is produced. The "Cheers" actor appears in recent commercials for Smirnoff. His visit to Plainfield coincided with National Vodka Day.

He stopped at the bottling facility "to meet the more than 600 hardworking employees who are personally responsible for creating America’s favorite vodka in America’s heartland," Diageo said in a news release. Danson also co-hosted a barbecue and happy hour for employees featuring "Americana-themed" food and specialty cocktails.

Danson took a behind-the-scenes tour of the 143rd Street facility and got to know several employees and their role in producing the vodka.

“The fact that we’re with Ted in Plainfield, the town that has been home to Smirnoff for almost two decades, with the people who make it possible every day, is truly special,” said Smirnoff Vice President Jay Sethi.

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Watch Danson's surprise visit on YouTube:

Photo: Danson (right) tours the Plainfield Diageo facility/Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Smirnoff