Danny DeVito Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Danny DeVito
DeVito in 2013
Born	Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. (1944-11-17) November 17, 1944 (age 80) Neptune, New Jersey, U.S.
Alma mater	American Academy of Dramatic Arts
Occupation	Actor comedian filmmaker
Years active	1969–present
Works	Full list
Height	5 ft 0 in (1.52 m)
Spouse(s)	Rhea Perlman (m. 1982; sep. 2017)
Children	3, including Lucy

Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. (born November 17, 1944) is a famous American actor and filmmaker. He is known for his funny roles and unique voice. He became very popular playing Louie De Palma, a taxi dispatcher, in the TV show Taxi (1978–1983). This role won him a Golden Globe Award and an Primetime Emmy Award. Today, many people know him as Frank Reynolds on the sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2006–present).

Danny DeVito has been in many well-known movies. These include One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), Terms of Endearment (1983), and Twins (1988) with Arnold Schwarzenegger. He also played the villain The Penguin in Batman Returns (1992). Kids often remember him from Matilda (1996), which he also directed. He has lent his voice to characters in animated films like Hercules (1997), The Lorax (2012), and Smallfoot (2018). More recently, he appeared in Jumanji: The Next Level (2019).

Besides acting, DeVito is also a successful filmmaker. He co-founded Jersey Films, a production company that made popular movies like Pulp Fiction (1994) and Erin Brockovich (2000). He also directed films such as Throw Momma from the Train (1987) and The War of the Roses (1989).

Early Life and Education
Acting Career
Directing Career
Producing Career
Personal Life
Acting Credits and Awards
Images for kids
See also

Early Life and Education

Danny DeVito was born in Neptune Township, New Jersey. He grew up in a family with his parents and two older sisters. His family has roots in Italy and Albania. He was raised in Asbury Park, New Jersey. As a teenager, he often ate at the original Jersey Mike's sub shop. This later led him to become the first celebrity spokesperson for the company in 2022.

When he was 14, Danny DeVito went to boarding school to stay out of trouble. He graduated from Oratory Preparatory School in 1962. After school, he worked as a beautician in his sister's salon. His search for a makeup teacher led him to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He graduated from there in 1966. In his early acting days, he performed in plays with his future wife, Rhea Perlman.

Acting Career

Danny DeVito started acting in plays in 1969. His first movie role was in Dreams of Glass (1970). He later played Martini in the 1975 film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. This was a role he had already played in a stage version of the story.

In 1978, DeVito became famous for playing Louie De Palma in the TV show Taxi. Louie was a short but bossy taxi dispatcher. For this role, DeVito won an Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film.

After Taxi, DeVito focused more on movies. He had a supporting role in the comedy-drama Terms of Endearment (1983). He also starred in the adventure movies Romancing the Stone (1984) and its sequel, The Jewel of the Nile (1985). In 1988, he starred with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the hit comedy Twins.

In 1992, DeVito played the memorable villain The Penguin in Batman Returns. He also acted with Arnold Schwarzenegger again in Junior (1994). In 1996, he voiced Swackhammer in Space Jam. He also appeared in Mars Attacks! that same year.

A year later, in 1997, he voiced Phil in the Disney animated film Hercules. Critics praised his voice performance. He also appeared in the crime thriller L.A. Confidential, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture.

In 2006, DeVito joined the cast of the TV show It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. He plays Frank Reynolds, a main character. He said he loved the show right away. In 2011, Danny DeVito received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his TV work. In 2012, he voiced the main character in the animated movie The Lorax, based on the Dr. Seuss book.

A fun fact: Pokémon fans once signed a petition for DeVito to voice Detective Pikachu. However, he said he didn't know much about Pokémon and didn't audition.

In 2017, DeVito made his Broadway debut in a play called The Price. He earned a Tony Award nomination for his performance. He also voiced Dorgle in the animated film Smallfoot (2018). In 2019, he reunited with director Tim Burton for the live-action Dumbo. He also played Eddie Gilpin in Jumanji: The Next Level (2019). In 2023, he appeared in the Disney horror comedy Haunted Mansion and voiced a character in the animated film Migration.

Directing Career

Danny DeVito started directing in 1984 with a TV movie called The Ratings Game. His first feature film as a director was the dark comedy Throw Momma from the Train in 1987. He also starred in this movie.

In 1989, he directed and starred in The War of the Roses. This movie reunited him with his Jewel of the Nile co-stars Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner.

One of his most famous directing jobs for kids is Matilda (1996). This film is based on Roald Dahl's popular children's book. DeVito also narrated the movie and played Matilda's villainous father, Harry Wormwood. His real-life wife, Rhea Perlman, played Matilda's mother.

Producing Career

In 1991, Danny DeVito started his own production company called Jersey Films. This company has produced many successful movies. Some of these include Pulp Fiction (1994), Get Shorty (1995), and Garden State (2004).

Jersey Films also produced Erin Brockovich (2000). For this film, DeVito received an Academy Award for Best Picture nomination as a producer. He also produced the TV series Reno 911! for Comedy Central.

Personal Life

Danny DeVito is 5 feet tall. His short height is due to a rare genetic condition called multiple epiphyseal dysplasia. This condition affects bone growth.

DeVito met actress Rhea Perlman in 1971. They moved in together soon after and got married on January 28, 1982. They have three children: Lucy, Grace, and Jacob.

Perlman and DeVito have worked together many times. They both starred in the TV show Taxi. They also played the parents in the movie Matilda. They separated in 2012 but got back together in 2013. They separated again in 2017 but remain good friends. They have said they do not plan to divorce.

DeVito is a big fan of singer Mike Patton's music. His son Jacob introduced him to Patton's work. DeVito has even worked with Patton on a music video.