Danny DeVito

Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. (born November 17, 1944) is an American actor and filmmaker. He gained prominence for his portrayal of the taxi dispatcher Louie De Palma in the television series '' Taxi'' (1978–1983), which won him a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy Award. He plays Frank Reynolds on the FXX sitcom ''It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia'' (2006–present).

DeVito is known for his film roles in '' One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'' (1975), '' Terms of Endearment'' (1983), '' Head Office'' (1985), '' Ruthless People'' (1986), '' Throw Momma from the Train'' (1987), '' Twins'' (1988), '' The War of the Roses'' (1989), '' Batman Returns'' (1992), '' Jack the Bear'' (1993), '' Junior'' (1994), '' Matilda'' (1996), '' L.A. Confidential'' (1997), '' The Big Kahuna'' (1999), '' Big Fish'' (2003), '' Deck the Halls'' (2006), '' When in Rome'' (2010), '' Wiener-Dog'' (2016) and '' Jumanji: The Next Level'' (2019). He has voiced roles in such films as '' Hercules'' (1997), '' The Lorax'' (2012), '' Smallfoot'' (2018) and '' Migration'' (2023).

DeVito and Michael Shamberg founded Jersey Films. Soon afterwards, Stacey Sher became an equal partner. The production company is known for films such as '' Pulp Fiction'' (1994), '' Garden State'' (2004) and '' Freedom Writers'' (2007). DeVito also owned Jersey Television, which produced the Comedy Central series '' Reno 911!'' DeVito and wife Rhea Perlman starred together in his 1996 film '' Matilda'', based on Roald Dahl's children's novel. DeVito was also one of the producers nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture for '' Erin Brockovich'' (2000).

From 2012 to 2013, DeVito played Willie Clark in the West End revival of Neil Simon's '' The Sunshine Boys''. He made his Broadway debut as Gregory Solomon in the revival of Arthur Miller's '' The Price'' (2017), earning a Tony Award nomination for his performance. He returned to Broadway in the Theresa Rebeck play ''I Need That'' (2023).

Early life and education

DeVito was born at Raleigh Fitkin-Paul Morgan Memorial Hospital in Neptune Township, New Jersey, the son of Daniel DeVito Sr., a small business owner and Julia DeVito ( Moccello). He grew up in a family of five, with his parents and two older sisters. He is of Italo-Albanian descent; his family is originally from San Fele, Basilicata, as well as from the Arbëresh Albanian community of Calabria. He was raised in Asbury Park, New Jersey. He lived a few miles away from the original Jersey Mike's location and would eat there frequently, which would inspire him to become the sub shop's first celebrity spokesman in a line of commercials that began to air in September 2022.

DeVito was raised as a Catholic. When he was 14, he persuaded his father to send him to boarding school to "keep him out of trouble", and graduated from Oratory Preparatory School in Summit, New Jersey, in 1962. While working as a beautician at his sister's salon, his search for a professional makeup instructor led him to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where he graduated in 1966. In his early theater days, he performed with the Colonnades Theater Lab at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut. Along with his future wife Rhea Perlman, he appeared in plays produced by the Westbeth Playwrights Feminist Collective.

Career

Acting

DeVito started his career acting off-Broadway in the plays ''Shoot Anything With Hair That Moves'' and '' The Man with the Flower in His Mouth'' both in 1969. DeVito played Martini in the 1975 film '' One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'' directed by Milos Forman, reprising his role from the 1971 off-Broadway play of the same title. He had his feature film debut in the drama '' Dreams of Glass'' (1970). Early film roles include '' Lady Liberty'' (1971), '' Hurry Up, or I'll Be 30'' (1973) and '' Deadly Hero'' (1975).

In 1977, DeVito played the role of John "John John the Apple" DeAppoliso in the '' Starsky & Hutch'' episode "The Collector". DeVito gained fame in 1978 playing Louie De Palma, the short but domineering dispatcher for the fictional Sunshine Cab Company, on the hit TV show '' Taxi''. For his performance he received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film. He got the role by astonishing the show’s creators during the audition when asking them “Who wrote this shit?” then throwing the script on the table.

After his breakthrough on the sitcom '' Taxi'', DeVito devoted more effort to a growing successful film career. He took a supporting role as Vernon Dalhart in the James L. Brooks directed comedy-drama '' Terms of Endearment'' (1983) acting alongside Shirley MacLaine, Debra Winger and Jack Nicholson. The film earned critical acclaim as well as the Academy Award for Best Picture.

The following year he acted in the crime comedy '' Johnny Dangerously'' (1984) and took the role as the comic rogue Ralph in the romantic adventure '' Romancing the Stone'' (1984), starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner; and its sequel, '' The Jewel of the Nile'' (1985). In 1986, DeVito starred in '' Ruthless People'' with Bette Midler and Judge Reinhold and also voiced the character Grundle King in '' My Little Pony: The Movie''. In 1987 he acted in director Barry Levinson's '' Tin Men'' (1987), as a rival salesman to Richard Dreyfuss' character.

In 1990, he and Rhea Perlman played the couple Vic & Paula, commenting on the state of the environment in '' The Earth Day Special''. The following year he acted in '' Other People's Money'' (1991) with Gregory Peck. In 1991 and 1992, DeVito voiced Herb Powell in ''The Simpsons'' episodes " Brother, Can You Spare Two Dimes?" and " Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?". In 1992 he portrayed the villain Oswald Cobblepot / The Penguin in director Tim Burton's '' Batman Returns'' (1992) acting opposite Michael Keaton, Michelle Pfeiffer and Christopher Walken. That same year he directed and produced the biographical drama film '' Hoffa'' (1992) starring Jack Nicholson. He also acted in the film portraying Bobby Ciaro. DeVito also acted opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in the comedies '' Twins'' (1988) and '' Junior'' (1994).

In 1995, DeVito appeared in the gangster comedy '' Get Shorty''. In 1996, he took supporting roles as Swackhammer in the Looney Tunes live-action / animated sports comedy '' Space Jam'' and reunited with Tim Burton's science fiction comedy '' Mars Attacks!'' starring Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Annette Bening, Pierce Brosnan, Martin Short and Natalie Portman.

In 1997, he played Deck Shifflet in the legal thriller '' The Rainmaker'' starring Matt Damon and Claire Danes as well as Sid Hudgens, editor of a sleazy tabloid called ''Hush-Hush'', who gets tips ahead of time of celebrity arrests in the neo-noir thriller '' L.A. Confidential'' with Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce and Kevin Spacey, the latter of which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. That same year he also voiced Phil in the Walt Disney Animated film '' Hercules'' (1997). Leonard Klady of '' Variety'' praised the voice performances writing, "As in '' Aladdin'', the melding of character animation with the screen personae of the actors voicing the roles provides forceful and amusing entertainment, particularly in DeVito's turn as a physical trainer and the acid wit James Woods brings to his villainous role."

He starred in ''Living Out Loud'' (1998) alongside Helen Hunt and Queen Latifah, reunited with Kevin Spacey in '' The Big Kahuna'' (1999) and hosted the last ''Saturday Night Live'' episode before the year 2000. In 1999, he produced and co-starred in the biographical drama film '' Man on the Moon'', a film about the unusual life of his former ''Taxi'' co-star Andy Kaufman, played in the film by Jim Carrey. He also played Dr. Hornicker in the Sofia Coppola directed '' The Virgin Suicides'' (1999) starring Kirsten Dunst. He continued to take roles in comedy films such as '' Drowning Mona'' (2000), '' Screwed'' (2000), '' What's the Worst That Could Happen?'' (2001), '' Austin Powers in Goldmember'' (2002), '' Anything Else'' (2003) and '' Be Cool'' (2005). He also acted in the drama films '' Heist'' (2001) and '' Big Fish'' (2004). He earned a 2004 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series nomination for his role of a stripper in the NBC sitcom ''Friends'',

In 2006, he joined the cast of the FX / FXX sitcom ''It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia'' as Frank Reynolds. DeVito stars opposite Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney, Kaitlin Olson and Charlie Day. The character of Frank Reynolds is introduced at the beginning of Season 2. He received a nomination for the Satellite Award for Best Actor – Musical or Comedy Series. DeVito said of the show "I loved it. It was fucking outrageous just the way they are. I immediately said, 'Yeah, this is an amazing show. Also in 2006 he starred opposite Matthew Broderick in the Christmas comedy film '' Deck the Halls''.

DeVito has an interest in documentaries. In 2006 he began a partnership with Morgan Freeman's company ClickStar, for whom he hosts the documentary channel Jersey Docs. He was also interviewed in the documentary '' Revenge of the Electric Car,'' discussing his interest in and ownership of electric vehicles. DeVito has directed eight short films between 1973 and 2016, five of which were released across 2010 and 2011. These are ''The Sound Sleeper'' (1973), ''Minestrone'' (1975), ''Oh Those Lips'' (2010), ''Evil Eye'' (2010), ''Poison Tongue'' (2011), ''Skin Deep'' (2011), ''Nest of Vipers'' (2011) and ''Curmudgeons'' (2016). In 2011, DeVito received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in television. In 2012, he voiced the title character in the animated version of Dr. Seuss' '' The Lorax''. He appeared in the '' Angry Birds Friends'' "Champions for Earth" tournament advertisement in September 2015. Following the Japanese release of the Nintendo 3DS game '' Detective Pikachu'', dedicated '' Pokémon'' fans submitted a 40,000-signature petition requesting that DeVito be the English voice actor for the title character. However, he declined to audition for the role, commenting that he was unfamiliar with the franchise.

In April 2012, DeVito made his West End acting debut in a revival of the Neil Simon play '' The Sunshine Boys'' as Willie Clark, alongside Richard Griffiths. It previewed at the Savoy Theatre in London from April 27, 2012, opened on May 17 and played a limited 12-week season until July 28. DeVito played a fictional version of himself in the music video of One Direction's song " Steal My Girl" (2014). He also appeared in the short film '' Curmudgeons'', which he also produced and directed. In 2013, he would voice Herb for a third time in the episode " The Changing of the Guardian". DeVito made his Broadway debut in a Roundabout Theatre Company revival of the Arthur Miller play '' The Price'' as Gregory Solomon. He acted opposite Mark Ruffalo and Tony Shalhoub. Marilyn Stasio of '' Variety'' praised DeVito's performance writing, "DeVito, who holds the audience in the palm of his hand, tends to favor the comic side, making an extended meal out of an egg-eating visual gag. But he also draws on down-to-earth Jewish wisdom to keep family hostilities from boiling over and spoiling the financial negotiations". He went on to be nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play. The production began preview performances at the American Airlines Theatre on February 16, 2017 and opened on March 16 for a limited run-through on May 7.

In 2018 he had a guest starring role in the Netflix comedy series '' The Kominsky Method'' acting opposite Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin. He also voiced Dorgle in the Warner Bros. animated film '' Smallfoot'' (2018). The following year in 2019 he reunited with Tim Burton playing Max Medici in the live action Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures '' Dumbo'', a remake of the 1941 animated film. He acted alongside Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton and Eva Green. He also played Eddie Gilpin in the action comedy film '' Jumanji: The Next Level'' starring Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan. The film was a box office and critical success. In 2020 he voiced Bob, a stray dog in '' The One and Only Ivan''. In 2021 he played Charlie Goldman the biographical HBO drama film '' The Survivor''. That same year DeVito wrote a 12-page story centered on the Penguin and Catwoman for the anthology comic ''Gotham City Villains''. In 2023 he acted in the Disney horror comedy '' Haunted Mansion'', Chris Pine's directorial film debut '' Poolman'' and the Illumination animated film '' Migration''. Also in 2023 he returned to Broadway in the Theresa Rebeck play '' I Need That''.

Directing

DeVito made his directorial debut in 1984 with '' The Ratings Game''. In 1986, he directed and starred in the black comedy "The Wedding Ring", a season 2 episode of Steven Spielberg's anthology series ''Amazing Stories'', where his character acquires an engagement ring for his wife (played by DeVito's real-life wife, actress Rhea Perlman). When the ring is slipped on his wife's finger, she is possessed by the ring's former owner, a murderous black widow. In 1987 he made his feature-directing debut with the dark comedy '' Throw Momma from the Train'', in which he starred with Billy Crystal and Anne Ramsey. For his performance he earned a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy nomination.

DeVito reunited with '' Jewel of the Nile'' co-stars Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner in 1989 when he directed and starred alongside them in '' The War of the Roses''. In 1996 he directed '' Matilda'' (1996), a film adaptation of Roald Dahl's 1988 classic children's novel of the same name. Critic Roger Ebert of ''The Chicago Sun-Times'' wrote, "There is never a moment (except toward the happy ending) that we sense DeVito is anything other than quite serious about this material. He goes with Dahl's macabre vision." He also served as the Narrator and played the villainous used-car dealer father Harry Wormwood opposite his wife Rhea Perlman. The following year, he was in talks to direct the crime drama '' The Little Things'' with Robert De Niro at that time set to star, and '' The Crowded Room'' with Leonardo DiCaprio. Both projects were eventually realized in the 2020s, but without DeVito's involvement.

In 1997, DeVito was in talks for a $13-million deal to both star in and direct '' Mystery Men'', but negotiations broke down over who would produce the soundtrack. "It was a big deal for me," DeVito said. "I really wanted it, so I walked away from the project."

In 1998, he committed to star in and direct both the sci-fi film ''Barthe'' for TriStar, about an alien who falls in love, and a remake of '' The Man Who Came to Dinner'' for DreamWorks. In 1999, DeVito was attached to star, direct and produce Jason Keller's spec script ''Sugar's Sweet Science of Bruising'' for New Line Cinema.

For the next two years, DeVito was attached to film Michael Petroni's ''Revelations'', a "supernatural religious thriller" that was to have starred George Clooney. The project was delayed due to rewrites however. DeVito was also at one time attached to direct '' How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days''. He instead resurfaced with '' Death to Smoochy'' (2002) and '' Duplex'' (2003), which were made back-to-back. Before the release of the latter, DeVito agreed to direct a remake of 1942's '' I Married a Witch'' for Tom Cruise and Columbia Pictures, announcing to '' Variety'' that he hoped to begin production by the end of the year.

Instead of ''I Married a Witch'', he sought to make ''Trump vs. Wynn'' as his next directorial project after receiving an offer from HBO. Written by Rick Cleveland, the script chronicles business tycoons Donald Trump and Steve Wynn's competition to build a casino in Atlantic City. DeVito was expected to direct, produce and star in an unspecified role, but he dropped out after meeting with both figures, who protested the film's production.

He directed the pilot episode for a proposed 2005 Imagine TV sitcom ''Queen B'', which was not picked up by the network for series.

In 2009, it was reported that DeVito would direct and produce the biopic ''Crazy Eddie'', based on the life of consumer electronics king Eddie Antar, from a script by Peter Steinfeld. However the film could not be made due to a life rights deal that was made with Antar. Instead, he pivoted to making the apocalyptic horror thriller ''St. Sebastian'', which completed post-production in 2012 but to this day has not been released. DeVito also worked on the independently financed ''Honeymoon with Dad'', a comedy which never went into production.

DeVito has written a film adaptation of and been, since 2008, attached to direct '' The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle'' with Morgan Freeman, Pierce Brosnan and Saoirse Ronan starring. The production was halted when Freeman was seriously injured in a car accident two weeks before filming was scheduled to commence. DeVito returned to the subject in February 2013, saying he was looking for another young actress to star in the title role and scouting movie locations in Ireland. Production was expected to restart in July 2014. The release date is still classified as "TBD" without any new information as to whether it will be shot.

Producing

DeVito founded Jersey Films in 1991, producing films like '' Pulp Fiction'' (1994), '' Get Shorty'' (1995), '' Erin Brockovich'' (2000) (for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture), '' Gattaca'' (1997) and '' Garden State'' (2004).

DeVito also produced the Comedy Central series '' Reno 911!'', the film spin-off '' Reno 911!: Miami'' and the revival on Quibi.

In 2019, his company Jersey Films optioned the screen rights to make a film of ''Toms River: A Story of Science and Salvation'', by Dan Fagin.

Personal life

DeVito stands tall. His short stature is the result of multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (Fairbank's disease), a rare genetic disorder that affects bone growth.

On January 17, 1971, DeVito met Rhea Perlman when she went to see a friend in the single performance of the play ''The Shrinking Bride'', which featured DeVito. They moved in together two weeks later and married on January 28, 1982. They have three children: Lucy Chet DeVito (born March 11, 1983), Grace Fan DeVito (born March 1985) and Jacob Daniel DeVito (born October 1987).

Perlman and DeVito have acted alongside each other several times, including in the television show '' Taxi'' and the feature film '' Matilda'' (where they played Matilda's parents). They separated in October 2012, after 30 years of marriage and over 40 years together, then reconciled in March 2013. They separated for a second time in March 2017, but remained on amicable terms and Perlman stated they had no intent of filing for divorce. In 2019, Perlman told interviewer Andy Cohen that she and DeVito have become closer friends after their separation than they were in their final years as a couple.

DeVito and Perlman resided in a 14,579-square-foot (1,354 m²) house in Beverly Hills, California, that they purchased in 1994, until selling it for US$24 million in April 2015. They also own a bungalow near Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and a multi-residence compound on Broad Beach in Malibu. They also frequented a home they owned in Interlaken, New Jersey, to get away from Los Angeles.

DeVito has mentioned being a big fan of singer Mike Patton's various musical projects, being introduced to his work though his son Jacob in 2005. DeVito collaborated with Patton on a music video and has attended several of his concerts, with Perlman contributing an introductory voiceover to an album by Mr. Bungle, one of Patton's bands. In 2016, DeVito also included music from Patton's band Faith No More on ''It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.''

Acting credits and accolades

DeVito has an extensive film career, dating back to the early 1970s.

Selected work:

References

External links

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Danny DeVito's Guest DJ Set on KCRW

Danny DeVito interviewed by KVUE's Roy Faires in 1971 about "Throw Momma From The Train"
from Texas Archive of the Moving Image

{{DEFAULTSORT:DeVito, Danny
1944 births
Living people
20th-century American comedians
20th-century American male actors
21st-century American comedians
21st-century American male actors
Actors with dwarfism
American Academy of Dramatic Arts alumni
American people of Italian descent
American male comedians
American male film actors
American male stage actors
American male television actors
American male voice actors
American people of Arbëreshë descent
American people of Albanian descent
American social democrats
Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe (television) winners
Comedians from Monmouth County, New Jersey
American comedy film directors
Film directors from New Jersey
Film producers from New Jersey
Male actors from New Jersey
Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Primetime Emmy Award winners
People from Asbury Park, New Jersey
People from Interlaken, New Jersey
People from Neptune Township, New Jersey
Television producers from New Jersey
Actors from Monmouth County, New Jersey