“He’s got a wicked sense of humor,” she revealed, “but he’s far better than people think. And he’s not paying me. He’s an amazing dad and grandfather.”

In fact, more than a decade after appearing on CSI—amid his run as D.B. Russell—she may be ready to return to the small screen opposite him. Because him playing coy, she emphasized how great of a leader he is when the cameras stop rolling.

“Oh, he’s the best,” Kate emphasized. And when Ted—also dad to Katrina Danson, 40, and stepkids Lilly Walton, 45, and Charlie McDowell, 42—started playing coy she added, “No, I’m sorry. I have to say it: People would say how amazing you were. And it was like, you think you might have someone in your air going, ‘your dad’s kind of a’—everyone said how incredible you were.”

As for when their onscreen reunion may be, well, that remains to be seen. Until then, Ted and Kate will be celebrating with their peers—and sending their love to Mary back home. To see all the stars who stepped out for the Actor Awards, keep reading…