Director, Screenwriter Biography
Full
Name: Daniel Michael DeVito Jr.
Date of
Birth: November 17, 1944
Place of
Birth: Neptune Township, New Jersey, U.S.
Nationality: American
Occupation: Actor,
Producer, Director, Screenwriter
Height: 4 feet
10 inches (1.47 meters)
Years
Active: 1970–present
Net Worth
(2024): Estimated $80 million
Early
Life and Education
Danny DeVito was
born Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. on November 17, 1944, in Neptune Township, New
Jersey, and grew up in the nearby Asbury Park area. He is the son of Daniel
DeVito Sr., a small business owner who operated a dry cleaning business, and
Julia DeVito, a homemaker. Of Italian descent, DeVito was raised in a Catholic
household with two older sisters. His upbringing in a close-knit, working-class
family would later influence the down-to-earth characters he often portrayed.
DeVito attended Oratory Preparatory School, a Catholic
boarding school in Summit, New Jersey. After graduating in 1962, he initially
worked at his sister’s beauty salon before deciding to pursue acting. This led
him to enroll at the American Academy of
Dramatic Arts in New York City, where he graduated in 1966. His training at
the Academy helped him develop his unique performance style and sparked his
interest in theater and film.
Physical
Characteristics
Danny DeVito is
notably short in stature, standing at 4
feet 10 inches (1.47 meters). His height is due to a rare genetic condition
called multiple epiphyseal dysplasia,
also known as Fairbank’s disease. Rather than hindering his career, DeVito's
distinctive look and energetic personality became assets that helped him stand
out in Hollywood. Over the years, his size has become a hallmark of his
on-screen presence, often contributing to the comedic or ironic appeal of his
roles.
Family
and Personal Life
Danny DeVito
married actress Rhea Perlman in 1982. The two met in 1971 when Perlman saw
DeVito perform in a stage production of The Shrinking Bride. They moved in
together shortly after and remained one of Hollywood's most enduring couples
for decades. Although they separated in 2012 and again in 2017, they have never
officially divorced and maintain a close friendship.
The couple has three children together:
Lucy DeVito (born 1983) – an actress
Grace Fan DeVito (born 1985)
Jacob Daniel DeVito (born 1987)
Despite their
separation, Danny and Rhea have often spoken about the importance of their
family and mutual respect. They continue to co-parent and occasionally
collaborate professionally.
Career
Highlights
Early
Career and Breakthrough
DeVito began his
career on stage, performing in off-Broadway productions and eventually appearing
in small film roles in the late 1960s and early 1970s. His early film work
included a part in Dreams of Glass (1970) and a role in One Flew Over the
Cuckoo’s Nest (1975), where he reprised his stage role as Martini from the 1971
off-Broadway adaptation.
His big break came
in 1978 when he was cast as Louie De
Palma, the irascible dispatcher in the hit television sitcom Taxi. The show
ran until 1983 and earned DeVito both an Emmy
Award and a Golden Globe for
Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. His portrayal of Louie remains one of
the most iconic roles in TV history.
Film
Stardom in the 1980s and 1990s
Following Taxi,
DeVito transitioned smoothly into a film career, appearing in and directing
numerous hits. Some of his most memorable performances include:
Ralph in Romancing the Stone (1984) and its sequel The Jewel of the Nile
(1985)
Vernon in Ruthless People (1986)
Owen in Throw Momma from the Train (1987) (which he also directed)
The Penguin/Oswald Cobblepot in Batman
Returns (1992) – a darker,
critically acclaimed performance
Harry Wormwood in Matilda (1996) – another project he directed and
co-starred in with Rhea Perlman
Throughout the
1980s and 1990s, DeVito was a staple in both comedies and dramas, bringing his
uniquely gritty and energetic charm to every role.
In addition to
acting, DeVito has been a prolific producer and director. In 1992, he
co-founded Jersey Films, a production company responsible for several major
films, including:
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Get Shorty (1995)
Erin Brockovich (2000)
Man on the Moon (1999)
He also directed a number of successful films, such as:
The War of the Roses (1989)
Hoffa (1992)
Death to Smoochy (2002)
“It’s
Always Sunny in Philadelphia”
In 2006, DeVito
joined the cast of the dark comedy TV series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, playing the unhinged and morally
bankrupt Frank Reynolds. His role
reinvigorated his career with a new generation of fans and became one of his
most beloved performances. DeVito has remained a core cast member since Season
2, with the show becoming one of the longest-running live-action sitcoms in
U.S. television history.
DeVito has lent
his voice to several animated features, including:
Philoctetes (Phil) in Hercules (1997)
The Lorax in Dr. Seuss' The Lorax (2012)
Mini-Mech in The One and Only Ivan (2020)
In 2019, he
appeared in Disney's Dumbo directed by Tim Burton, reuniting with the director
for another fantastical tale.
DeVito also
appeared in Haunted Mansion (2023) and continues to act in film and television,
as well as produce and direct.
Danny DeVito is
celebrated as one of Hollywood’s most enduring and beloved figures. His
versatility, from slapstick comedy to dark satire, and his contributions behind
the camera have cemented his place as a significant force in the entertainment
industry.
Beyond his comedic
timing and distinct persona, DeVito is admired for his advocacy for workers'
rights, progressive politics, and his environmental activism. He’s also known
for championing smaller and independent films and giving new talent a platform
through his production company.
As of 2024, Danny
DeVito's estimated net worth is around
$80 million. His wealth comes from:
Danny DeVito’s
life and career are a testament to talent, perseverance, and individuality.
From his humble beginnings in New Jersey to his status as a Hollywood icon,
DeVito has consistently defied expectations. Whether through his unforgettable
roles, innovative directing, or producing game-changing films, DeVito’s
influence spans generations
