Danny DeVito

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12 Feb 2024

Danny DeVito

Daniel Michael DeVito Jr., born on November 17, 1944, is a prominent American actor and filmmaker. He rose to fame for his portrayal of the cantankerous taxi dispatcher Louie De Palma in the hit television series "Taxi" (1978–1983), a role that earned him both a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy Award. Currently, DeVito is widely recognized for his portrayal of the eccentric character Frank Reynolds in the FX and FXX sitcom "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" (2006–present).

Throughout his career, DeVito has delivered memorable performances in a diverse range of films, including "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975), "Terms of Endearment" (1983), "Ruthless People" (1986), "Throw Momma from the Train" (1987), "Twins" (1988), "Batman Returns" (1992), "Matilda" (1996), "L.A. Confidential" (1997), "Big Fish" (2003), and "Jumanji: The Next Level" (2019). He has also lent his distinctive voice to characters in animated films such as "Hercules" (1997), "The Lorax" (2012), and "Smallfoot" (2018).

DeVito is not only known for his acting prowess but also for his contributions as a filmmaker and producer. He co-founded Jersey Films with Michael Shamberg, and later Stacey Sher joined as an equal partner. Jersey Films has produced notable movies such as "Pulp Fiction" (1994), "Garden State" (2004), and "Freedom Writers" (2007). DeVito also owned Jersey Television, responsible for producing the Comedy Central series "Reno 911!" Furthermore, DeVito and his wife Rhea Perlman starred together in the 1996 film "Matilda," based on Roald Dahl's beloved children's novel.

In addition to his achievements in film and television, DeVito has showcased his talent on the stage. He portrayed Willie Clark in the West End revival of Neil Simon's "The Sunshine Boys" from 2012 to 2013. DeVito made his Broadway debut as Gregory Solomon in the revival of Arthur Miller's "The Price" in 2017, earning a Tony Award nomination for his performance. He returned to Broadway in 2023 in the Theresa Rebeck play "I Need That."

Danny DeVito was born at Raleigh Fitkin-Paul Morgan Memorial Hospital in Neptune Township, New Jersey, to Daniel DeVito Sr., a small business owner, and Julia DeVito (née Moccello). He grew up in a family of five, including his parents and two older sisters. DeVito's ancestry is Italo-Albanian, with his family originating from San Fele, Basilicata, as well as from the Arbëresh Albanian community of Calabria. He spent his formative years in Asbury Park, New Jersey, where he lived just a few miles away from the original Jersey Mike's location. DeVito frequently dined there, which later inspired him to become the sub shop's first celebrity spokesman in a series of commercials that began airing in September 2022.

Raised as a Catholic, DeVito's parents sent him to boarding school at the age of 14 to keep him out of trouble. He graduated from Oratory Preparatory School in Summit, New Jersey, in 1962. While initially working as a beautician at his sister's salon, DeVito's pursuit of a professional makeup instructor led him to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, from which he graduated in 1966. During his early theater career, DeVito performed with the Colonnades Theater Lab at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut. He also appeared in plays produced by the Westbeth Playwrights Feminist Collective, alongside his future wife, Rhea Perlman.

Danny DeVito began his acting career off-Broadway in 1969, appearing in the plays "Shoot Anything With Hair That Moves" and "The Man with the Flower in His Mouth." He made his feature film debut in the 1970 drama "Dreams of Glass." DeVito's breakthrough role came in 1975 when he played Martini in the film adaptation of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," directed by Milos Forman, reprising his role from the 1971 off-Broadway play of the same name.
Throughout the early 1970s, DeVito appeared in various films, including "Lady Liberty" (1971), "Hurry Up, or I'll Be 30" (1973), and "Deadly Hero" (1975). In 1977, he had a guest role as John "John John the Apple" DeAppoliso in an episode of "Starsky & Hutch" titled "The Collector."
DeVito rose to fame in 1978 with his portrayal of Louie De Palma, the short but domineering dispatcher for the Sunshine Cab Company, in the hit TV show "Taxi." His performance earned him critical acclaim, as well as a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries, or Television Film.

After concluding his role on the Taxi series, Danny DeVito shifted his focus towards his burgeoning film career. He made his directorial debut in 1984 with "The Ratings Game." In 1986, he directed and starred in the black comedy "The Wedding Ring," an episode of Steven Spielberg's anthology series "Amazing Stories," featuring his real-life wife, Rhea Perlman. That same year, DeVito voiced the Grundle King in "My Little Pony: The Movie." He also appeared in James L. Brooks' comedy-drama "Terms of Endearment" (1983), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

In 1984, DeVito acted in the crime comedy "Johnny Dangerously" and portrayed the comic rogue Ralph in "Romancing the Stone" (1984) and its sequel, "The Jewel of the Nile" (1985), alongside Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. In 1986, he starred in "Ruthless People" with Bette Midler and Judge Reinhold, and made his feature-directing debut with the dark comedy "Throw Momma from the Train" (1987), earning a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.

DeVito continued his success throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s. He appeared in Barry Levinson's "Tin Men" (1987) and reunited with Douglas and Turner in "The War of the Roses" (1989), which he also directed. In 1992, DeVito portrayed the villain Oswald Cobblepot / The Penguin in Tim Burton's "Batman Returns," and directed and produced the biographical drama "Hoffa" (1992), in which he also acted. Additionally, DeVito starred alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in the comedies "Twins" (1988) and "Junior" (1994).