Danny DeVito

Danny DeVito, born November 17, 1944, in Neptune Township, New Jersey, is one of the most distinctive and beloved figures in American film and television. Despite his diminutive stature—standing just under 5 feet tall—DeVito has built a towering career through a unique blend of charisma, comic timing, and emotional depth.

With a career spanning over five decades as an actor, director, and producer, DeVito has established himself as a cultural icon, seamlessly moving between offbeat comedy, heartfelt drama, and high-profile ensemble work. Few performers have left such an indelible mark on both mainstream entertainment and independent film.

Early Life and Education

Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. was born to Italian-American parents and grew up in a working-class family in Asbury Park, New Jersey. He attended Oratory Preparatory School and initially trained to become a hairdresser, even working in his sister’s beauty salon. However, a growing interest in performance led him to enroll at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, where he graduated in 1966.

DeVito’s early years as an actor were spent on the stage, including time at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. His initial screen roles were modest, but he consistently displayed an innate ability to inhabit unusual or eccentric characters with humanity and humour.

Breakthrough Role: Taxi (1978–1983)

DeVito's breakthrough came when he was cast as Louie De Palma in the hit TV series Taxi—a show that remains one of the most critically acclaimed sitcoms of all time. As the irascible, scheming dispatcher of the Sunshine Cab Company, DeVito turned what could have been a one-note antagonist into a complex, hilarious, and oddly endearing character.

His performance earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 1981 and propelled him to national fame. Louie De Palma became a cultural fixture, and DeVito’s razor-sharp delivery and willingness to portray abrasive, morally ambiguous figures became trademarks of his career.

Hollywood Success and Iconic Film Roles

The 1980s and 1990s saw DeVito transition from television success to big-screen stardom, where he carved out a niche playing eccentric, often outrageous characters, while also showing range as a dramatic actor and director.

Comedic Stardom

One of DeVito’s biggest box-office successes came in Romancing the Stone (1984) and its sequel The Jewel of the Nile (1985), where he played Ralph, a bumbling criminal opposite Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. His performance added comic relief and bite, cementing his status as a master of supporting roles.

In Ruthless People (1986), Twins (1988), and Throw Momma from the Train (1987, which he also directed), DeVito refined his comedic persona: cynical, scheming, but ultimately likable. His chemistry with Arnold Schwarzenegger in Twins was particularly memorable, and their unlikely pairing became a hallmark of 1980s comedic innovation.

Darker Roles and Batman Returns

In Tim Burton’s Batman Returns (1992), DeVito took on one of his most iconic and sinister roles as Oswald Cobblepot, a.k.a. The Penguin. His grotesque, tragicomic performance added psychological complexity to the Batman franchise and remains one of the most unique villain portrayals in superhero cinema. With this role, DeVito showed he could veer into horror and darkness while still engaging audiences.

Directorial Work and Behind-the-Scenes Influence

In addition to acting, Danny DeVito has enjoyed a successful career as a director and producer. His directorial debut, Throw Momma from the Train, was well-received, but it was The War of the Roses (1989) that showcased his directorial boldness. A jet-black comedy starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, the film explored the disintegration of a marriage with biting satire and visual flair.

DeVito also directed Hoffa (1992), a biopic starring Jack Nicholson as the controversial labor leader. Though not a massive box office hit, the film was praised for its ambition and craftsmanship.

As a producer, DeVito co-founded Jersey Films with his wife, actress Rhea Perlman. The company was behind several acclaimed films, including:

• Pulp Fiction (1994)

• Get Shorty (1995)

• Gattaca (1997)

• Erin Brockovich (2000)

  
  

Through Jersey Films, DeVito championed offbeat, character-driven cinema, helping bring a variety of creative voices into the mainstream.

Later Career: Television Renaissance and Voice Acting

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Since 2006, DeVito has starred in the long-running and wildly popular sitcom It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia as Frank Reynolds. Initially joining the cast in its second season, DeVito helped elevate the cult show into a mainstream success. His performance as the depraved, amoral, yet oddly lovable Frank has become one of his most iconic roles, introducing him to a new generation of fans.

DeVito’s fearlessness in portraying grotesque behavior with comedic abandon has made his work on Sunny legendary. He frequently subverts his own image, playing Frank with physicality and absurdity that few actors would dare.

Voice Work and Animation

DeVito has also made significant contributions to animation and family films. He voiced the Lorax in Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax (2012), the satyr Phil in Disney’s Hercules (1997), and played roles in Space Jam, My Little Pony: The Movie, and others. His voice—gravelly, expressive, unmistakable—has become a staple in animated storytelling.

Personal Life and Activism

DeVito married actress Rhea Perlman in 1982, and they have three children together. Though they separated amicably in 2012, they remain close friends and collaborators. Their marriage was one of Hollywood’s longest and most enduring partnerships, both personally and professionally.

A committed progressive, DeVito has supported various social and political causes, including labor rights, environmental sustainability, and public education. He is known for his outspoken support of Bernie Sanders and for using his platform to advocate for justice and fairness.

Legacy and Influence

Danny DeVito’s influence on modern entertainment is vast and multifaceted. He has been a crucial figure in both comedic and dramatic cinema, a champion of independent film, a pioneering television star, and a unique voice in animation. More importantly, he has built a career that thrives on defying expectations.

DeVito’s success challenges conventional notions of what a Hollywood leading man must look or act like. Through sheer talent, commitment, and authenticity, he has become an icon who resonates across generations and genres. His legacy includes not only unforgettable characters and acclaimed films, but also a broader contribution to American cultural storytelling—one that celebrates the outsider, the misfit, and the underdog.

Conclusion: A Giant in Every Way That Matters

Danny DeVito’s career is a testament to the power of character over convention. While his physical appearance may have made him an unlikely star by Hollywood standards, his immense talent, humour, and humanity have made him one of the most cherished and versatile performers of his era.

From Louie De Palma to Frank Reynolds, from Twins to Hoffa, from producing Pulp Fiction to directing The War of the Roses, DeVito has done it all—with integrity, daring, and heart. He remains a beloved figure not because he fit the mold, but because he broke it—and made it better.