- Title: PROFILE: Actor Danny DeVito turns 80 on November 17
- Date: 15th November 2024
- Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (FILE - APRIL 15, 2023) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** DANNY DEVITO POSING FOR PHOTOS AT THE NINTH ANNUAL BREAKTHROUGH PRIZE AWARDS NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (FILE - NOVEMBER 2, 2023) (REUTERS) DANNY DEVITO POSING FOR PHOTOS WITH DAUGHTER, ACTOR LUCY DEVITO AT THE OPENING OF THEIR NEW BROADWAY PLAY "I
- Embargoed: 29th November 2024 11:36
- Keywords: Batman's The Penguin Danny DeVito Lucy DeVito Matilda Rhea Perlman Taxi actor
- Location: VARIOUS LOCATIONS
- City: VARIOUS LOCATIONS
- Country: US
- Topics: Celebrities,Arts/Culture/Entertainment,North America
- Reuters ID: LVA002980114112024RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS MATERIAL THAT WAS ORIGINALLY 4:3
Danny DeVito, the American actor, producer and director who played the cantankerous cab dispatcher in the hit TV comedy "Taxi" and likeable scoundrels in films such as "Matilda," "Batman Returns" and "L.A. Confidential" turns 80 on Sunday (November 17).
The fast-talking New Jersey native and 1981 Emmy and Golden Globe winner for his portrayal of wise-cracking Louie DePalma in "Taxi" enters the octogenarian club.
Although barely five feet tall, the raspy voiced actor's stature looms large in Hollywood where DeVito's decades-long career spanned films and television.
DeVito excelled in playing gruff, irascible rogues from the weird son in the black comedy "Throw Momma from the Train" (1987) and an arrogant actor in "Get Shorty" (1995) to a conniving husband in "Ruthless People" (1986) and Martini, the psychiatric patient in 1975's "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," a role he reprised after starring in the Off-Broadway play.
Three decades after his 1978 breakout role in "Taxi" DeVito returned to the small screen and found a new audience as the rich, depraved Frank Reynolds in the long-running comedy series "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia."
Throughout his career DeVito has played to his strengths and never considered his height a disadvantage because he said casting directors would not forget the 5-foot guy.
Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. was born on November 17,1944 in Neptune Township, New Jersey. He was a late baby and an only son with two older sisters. His parents were small business owners.
The actor had a rare genetic disorder called Fairbanks disease, or multiple epiphyseal dysplasia, which impacts bone growth and height.
After finishing school, he worked in his sister's beauty salon in Asbury Park before studying cosmetology at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, where he discovered he preferred acting.
He began his career in theater and was working at the Eugene O’Neill Foundation in Connecticut when he met Michael Douglas. The actor became his roommate and a life-long friend.
After an unsuccessful stint in Hollywood, DeVito returned to New York and acted in Off-Broadway plays and small TV roles. He met his wife, "Cheers" actor Rhea Perlman, and made his film debut in "Dreams of Glass" in the early 1970s.
But it was the comedy series "Taxi" that showcased his talents. The show aired for five seasons and established him as a star.
Douglas once said DeVito had no fear as an actor, took chances and savored darkness. The two friends worked on several films together including "Romancing the Stone" (1984), "The Jewel of the Nile (1985)" and "War of the Roses" (1989), which DeVito directed.
DeVito has also starred with actors Bette Midler (“Ruthless People”, “Drowning Mona”) and Arnold Schwarzenegger (“Twins”, “Last Action Hero”, “Junior”) in a variety of hit movies.
Along with Perlman, DeVito founded Jersey Films. The company produced "Pulp Fiction" (1994), "Hoffa" (1992) and the 2001 best picture Oscar nominee "Erin Brockovich."
The versatile character actor played an emotional male stripper called Officer Goodbody in an episode of the final season of the TV comedy "Friends" and was nominated for a Tony award for his 2017 Broadway debut in Arthur Miller's "The Price."
DeVito and Perlman separated in 2017 but remained friends and are still married. The couple had three children. He returned to Broadway in 2023, acting opposite his daughter Lucy DeVito in the comedy "I Need That."
In 2019, the actor worked with director Tim Burton on live-action movie version of Walt Disney’s classic character “Dumbo”, and more recently on “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” in 2024, attending Burton’s Hollywood star unveiling in September 2024.
(Production: Lisa Giles-Keddie) - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2024. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None