American actor Danny DeVito first gained fame on the TV show “Taxi.” He later starred in films such as “Twins” and “Ruthless People,” and on the TV show “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”
Who Is Danny DeVito?
Danny DeVito had his big break with “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” in 1975. He rose to fame on the sitcom “Taxi” (1978-1983), winning a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy. DeVito later produced and directed many films, including “Matilda” (1996), with his wife, actress Rhea Perlman. Since 2006, he has starred in the TV series “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”
Early Life
DeVito was born Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. on November 17, 1944, in Neptune, New Jersey. He was raised by his mother, Julia, and his father, Danny Sr., a small business owner. DeVito attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel Grammar School and Oratory Prep High School in Summit, New Jersey. There, he tried acting, starring in school productions of “St. Francis of Assisi” and “The Billion Dollar Saint.”
DeVito, who is 4 feet 10 inches tall, longed to be taller as a youth. He recalls, “I couldn’t slow-dance with the girls I wanted to because my face would be in a spot where I might be thought of as moving too fast.” His height made him a target for neighborhood bullies, but he had friends who helped him.
After graduating in 1962, DeVito didn’t consider acting a viable career. “I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after high school,” he says. His sister suggested he work as a hairdresser at her salon. He thought, “Well, I’m not doing anything else, and I could meet a lot of girls there.”
Breaking into Acting
After 18 months at his sister’s salon, DeVito switched to the cosmetics profession. He applied to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. After his monologue received positive feedback, he decided to take acting classes. He quickly realized acting was his true calling.
DeVito graduated from the American Academy in 1966 and worked briefly at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut. There, he met fellow actor Michael Douglas. Inspired by an advertisement for Hollywood auditions for “In Cold Blood,” DeVito moved to Los Angeles. He did not land a part in the film, but he did find work as a car parker while trying to break into acting. Eventually, he moved back to New York and landed parts in several off-Broadway plays.
Height
DeVito is 4 feet 10 inches tall due to Fairbank’s disease, a genetic bone growth disorder.
Movies and TV Shows
“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”
In 1971, DeVito landed the role of Martini in an off-Broadway production of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” This led to his big break when Douglas produced the film version in 1975 and asked DeVito to revive his role. The film swept the five major Academy Awards in 1976, catapulting DeVito into the national spotlight.
“Taxi”
In 1978, DeVito auditioned for the TV series “Taxi.” His display of wit during the audition landed him the part of Louie DePalma. The show ran from 1978 to 1983, and DeVito won an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1981.
Other Films
DeVito starred in many films in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. He appeared in “Terms of Endearment” (1983), “Twins” (1988), and “Batman Returns” (1992). Other notable films include “Romancing the Stone” (1984), “Ruthless People” (1986), “Throw Momma from the Train” (1987), “The War of the Roses” (1989), “L.A. Confidential” (1997), and “Big Fish” (2003).
“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”
In 2005, DeVito returned to TV with the FX series “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” He plays a morally challenged father on this edgy sitcom.
Recent Work
DeVito has continued to make films. He appeared in “Solitary Man” (2009) and “When in Rome” (2010). In 2012, he voiced the title character in “The Lorax.” More recently, he starred in Tim Burton’s live-action adaptation of “Dumbo” (2019).
Director and Producer
DeVito directed several episodes of “Taxi” and made his feature film directorial debut with “Throw Momma from the Train.” He owns a production company, Jersey Films, earning producer credits on films such as “Pulp Fiction” (1994) and “Erin Brockovich” (2000).
With more than four decades in Hollywood, DeVito has seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of the film industry. He says, “Hollywood is a jungle… but I love it. It’s the greatest business in the world.”
Wife
While acting in a 1970 off-Broadway production, DeVito met actress Rhea Perlman. They moved in together two weeks after meeting and married in 1982. They had three children before announcing their split in 2012. The couple reunited in 2013 after months of separation.
