Danny DeVito

Danny DeVito – Life, Career, and Memorable Insights

Dive into the life of Danny DeVito — American actor, comedian, director, and producer. This deep biography covers his humble roots, iconic roles, directorial ventures, personal values, famous quotes, and enduring legacy.

Introduction

Danny DeVito (born November 17, 1944) is one of Hollywood’s most beloved and versatile figures. Despite a stature that defies conventional leading-man norms, he has built a career of remarkable range—comedy, drama, animation, directing, producing—with a distinctive presence and a fierce commitment to his craft. From his breakthrough in Taxi to his continued work in television, film, and theater, DeVito’s story is as much about resilience and individuality as it is about success.

Early Life and Background

Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. was born on November 17, 1944, in Neptune Township, New Jersey. He was raised in Asbury Park, New Jersey, in a working-class family. His father, Daniel DeVito Sr., ran several businesses over time (dry cleaning, a diner, a pool hall, etc.), and his mother, Julia (Moccello), was a homemaker. He is of Italian and Italo-Albanian (Arbëresh) descent; his family roots trace to southern Italy and the Arbëresh community in Calabria.

As a child, he was relatively short due to a genetic bone growth disorder (multiple epiphyseal dysplasia, also known as Fairbank’s disease). He persuaded his father to send him to boarding school “to keep him out of trouble,” and he graduated from Oratory Preparatory School in Summit, New Jersey, circa 1962.

After high school, DeVito attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, graduating around 1966, and began working in theater and off-Broadway productions. In his early days, he also worked in his sister’s salon as a beautician, and even did hair for deceased clients at times (a morgue role), which has often been mentioned as a quirky, formative job.

Career and Achievements

Breakthrough: Taxi and Early Film Work

His breakthrough came when he won the role of Louie De Palma, the derisive, pithy dispatcher on the sitcom Taxi (1978–1983). For this role, he won a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy Award.

Even his audition for Taxi has become legendary: reportedly, he flung the script and asked the casting team “Who wrote this shit?”, a bold move that instead of harming his chances actually helped cement his edge for the role.

Parallel to Taxi, DeVito began accumulating film roles. He appeared in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) in a supporting role.

Film Stardom and Genre Flexibility

Over the years, DeVito has taken on a broad variety of roles:

• Terms of Endearment (1983) – supporting role in a major drama

• Romancing the Stone (1984) & The Jewel of the Nile (1985) – adventurous/comedic roles

• Ruthless People (1986), Throw Momma from the Train (1987)

• Twins (1988) and Junior (1994), both with Arnold Schwarzenegger

• He portrayed The Penguin / Oswald Cobblepot in Batman Returns (1992)

• Films like Get Shorty, Big Fish, Matilda (which he directed and starred in), Dumbo, Jumanji: The Next Level, and more

In Matilda (1996), DeVito played the villainous father Harry Wormwood, directed the film, and starred alongside his then-wife Rhea Perlman.

Producer & Filmmaker

DeVito co-founded Jersey Films (with Michael Shamberg and later Stacey Sher), a production company behind acclaimed films such as Pulp Fiction, Garden State, and Erin Brockovich (for which he earned a Best Picture nomination). He also owned Jersey Television, which produced Reno 911! among other projects.

As a director, DeVito’s credits include Throw Momma from the Train, The War of the Roses, Matilda, Death to Smoochy, Duplex, and others.

Television & Theatre

Later, he became well known for his role as Frank Reynolds on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (joined in season 2, around 2006) — a role that reinvigorated his television relevance.

In theatre, he made his West End debut as Willie Clark in The Sunshine Boys (2012–13) He then made his Broadway debut in The Price (2017), earning a Tony Award nomination. In 2023, he returned to Broadway in Theresa Rebeck’s play I Need That.

Personality, Style & Creative Ethos

DeVito has spoken about embracing the roles that lean toward the flawed, quirky, or even dark — he often seeks redemptive qualities in characters he portrays. He has said he doesn’t want to play one-dimensional villains; he prefers nuance, even in comedic or oddball roles. He also maintains a grounded view of fame, using humor and self-awareness to navigate public perception.

Another recurring theme is control over his creative output — from directing to producing, DeVito has often sought to shape projects from multiple angles.

He has also expressed gratitude and contentment, reflecting that life “worked out” for him in many unexpected ways.

Memorable Quotes

While DeVito isn’t primarily known as a quotable philosopher, several lines capture his spirit:

“I usually try to find the redemptive qualities in the guys I play so that I can have a good sleep at night.” “It all worked out for me. Life is good.”

He’s also known for his bold audition remark (throwing the script, calling it “that shit”) for Taxi, which reflects his willingness to take risk.

Personal Life & Values

DeVito met Rhea Perlman in 1971 while she saw him perform in a play. They married on January 28, 1982. They have three children:

• Lucy Chet DeVito (born March 11, 1983)

• Grace Fan DeVito (born March 1985)

• Jacob Daniel DeVito (born October 1987)

DeVito and Perlman separated in October 2012, reconciled briefly in early 2013, separated again in 2017, but have remained amicable and did not divorce.

He owns or owned homes in Beverly Hills and Malibu, and also has properties in New Jersey.

Though short in stature, DeVito does not let that define him; instead, he leverages distinctive presence.

Legacy & Influence

• Defying conventional norms: DeVito’s success challenges Hollywood’s often rigid ideas about leading appearance and “type.”

• Genre agility: His ability to move between comedy, drama, animation, and directing underscores his versatility.

• Behind-the-scenes impact: Through Jersey Films and other ventures, he has influenced production in Hollywood, supporting bold films like Pulp Fiction and Erin Brockovich.

• Television resurgence: His role in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia reintroduced him to new generations and demonstrated his longevity.

• Respect among peers: Many respect him for maintaining authenticity, creative control, and a willingness to take risks rather than settle.

Lessons from Danny DeVito’s Journey

1. Embrace your uniqueness: DeVito shows that you don’t have to fit conventional molds to thrive in art.

2. Risk is essential: His bold audition and choices reveal that daring can open doors.

3. Diversify creatively: Acting, directing, producing, and theater—all contributed to a sustainable, evolving career.

4. Seek depth, not just laughs: Even in comedic parts, he looks for trace of humanity or redemption.

5. Maintain integrity in partnerships: His marriage and partnership with Rhea Perlman, and their continued cordiality post-separation, suggest values of respect and collaboration.

Recent news about Danny DeVito