Danny DeVito

Born November 17, 1944 in Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA    Birth NameDaniel Michael DeVito Jr. Height  4' 10" (1.47 m)    Danny DeVito has amassed a formidable and versatile body of work as an actor, producer and director that spans the stage, television and film.

Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. was born on November 17, 1944, in Neptune, New Jersey, to Italian-American parents. His mother, Julia (Moccello), was a homemaker. His father, Daniel, Sr., was a small business owner whose ventures included a dry cleaning shop, a dairy outlet, a diner, and a pool hall.

While growing up in Asbury Park, his parents sent him to private schools. He attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel grammar school and Oratory Prep School. Following graduation in 1962, he took a job as a cosmetician at his sister's beauty salon. A year later, he enrolled at New York's American Academy of Dramatic Arts so he could learn more about cosmetology. While at the academy, he fell in love with acting and decided to further pursue an acting career. During this time, he met another aspiring actor Michael Douglas at the National Playwrights Conference in Waterford, Connecticut. The two would later go on to collaborate on numerous projects. Soon after he also met an actress named Rhea Perlman. The two fell in love and moved in together. They were married in 1982 and had three children together.

In 1968, Danny landed his first part in a movie when he appeared as a thug in the obscure Dreams of Glass (1970). Despite this minor triumph, Danny became discouraged with the film industry and decided to focus on stage productions. He made his Off-Broadway debut in 1969 in "The Man With the Flower in His Mouth." He followed this up with stage roles in "The Shrinking Bride," and "Lady Liberty." In 1975, he was approached by director Milos Forman and Michael Douglas about appearing in the film version of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), which would star Jack Nicholson in the leading role. With box office success almost guaranteed and a chance for national exposure, Danny agreed to the role. The movie became a huge hit, both critically and financially, and still ranks today as one the greatest movies of all time. Unfortunately, the movie did very little to help Danny's career. In the years following, he was relegated to small movie roles and guest appearances on television shows. His big break came in 1978 when he auditioned for a role on an ABC sitcom pilot called Taxi (1978), which centered around taxi cab drivers at a New York City garage. Danny auditioned for the role of dispatcher Louie DePalma. At the audition, the producers told Danny that he needed to show more attitude in order to get the part. He then slammed down the script and yelled, "Who wrote this sh**?" The producers, realizing he was perfect for the part, brought him on board. The show was a huge success, running from 1978 to 1983.

Louie DePalma, played flawlessly by Danny, became one of the most memorable (and reviled) characters in television history. While he was universally hated by TV viewers, he was well-praised by critics, winning an Emmy award and being nominated three other times. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Danny maintained his status as a great character actor with memorable roles in movies like Romancing the Stone (1984), Ruthless People (1986), Throw Momma from the Train (1987) and Twins (1988). He also had a great deal of success behind the camera, directing movies like The War of the Roses (1989) and Hoffa (1992). In 1992, Danny was introduced to a new generation of moviegoers when he was given the role of The Penguin/Oswald Cobblepot in Tim Burton's highly successful Batman Returns (1992). This earned him a nomination for Best Villain at the MTV Movie Awards. That same year, along with his then-wife Rhea Perlman, Danny co-founded Jersey Films, which has produced many popular films and TV shows, including Pulp Fiction (1994), Get Shorty (1995), Man on the Moon (1999) and Erin Brockovich (2000). DeVito has many directing credits to his name as well, including Throw Momma from the Train (1987), The War of the Roses (1989), Hoffa (1992), Death to Smoochy (2002) and the upcoming St. Sebastian.

In 2006, he returned to series television in the FX comedy series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005). With a prominent role in a hit series, Devito's comic talents were now on display for a new generation of television viewers. In 2012, he provided the title voice role in Dr. Seuss' The Lorax (2012).

These days, he continues to work with many of today's top talents as an actor, director and producer.

Trade Mark (4)
Often directs and produces mean-spirited dark comedies with elements of crime in them.

Often portrays ruthless and sinister people in the movies he is in

Deep raspy voice

Short stature

Trivia (47)
Went to Oratory Prepatory School in Summit, NJ.

Italian-American

Before he became an actor he was a qualified hairdresser (stylist)

Son-in-law of Philip Perlman.

Ex-Brother-in-law of Heide Perlman.

In his New Jersey hometown, one of his relatives ran a hair salon with the relatives of another actor from his neighborhood, Jack Nicholson.

Was considered for the role of Sallah in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) but could not do it due to his TV commitments. The role went to John Rhys-Davies instead.

Brought a bag of carrots to munch on during the 73rd Annual Academy Awards. Host Steve Martin presented him with an impromptu bowl of ranch dip in the middle of the ceremony.

Has three children with his estranged wife Rhea Perlman Daughters: Lucy DeVito (born 1983), Gracie DeVito (born March 1985), son: Jake DeVito (Jake Daniel DeVito) (born October 1987).

Often appears in Tim Burton movies.

In 1975, under a grant from the American Film Institute, he and Rhea Perlman wrote and produced Minestrone (1975), which was screened at the Cannes Film Festival and has been translated into five languages.

Often portrays sinister people in the movies he is in. He played the Penguin, a mutant crime boss, in Batman Returns (1992), a cynical gambler in Space Jam (1996) and Mars Attacks! (1996), a sleazy talent agent in Death to Smoochy (2002) and ruthless and greedy businessmen in Ruthless People (1986), What's the Worst That Could Happen? (2001), Matilda (1996) and Other People's Money (1991).

Graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA) in Hollywood, CA, in 1966.

Attended the final Phish concert with his son and 75,000 others in Coventry, VT, on August 16, 2004.

Has appeared alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in three films, two of which were directed and produced by Ivan Reitman--Twins (1988) and Junior (1994); the third was Last Action Hero (1993), playing a minor role, as the voice of Detective Whiskers. Both have played Batman villains, DeVito as The Penguin in Batman Returns (1992), Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze in Batman & Robin (1997).

Was considered for the role of Detective John Kimble in Kindergarten Cop (1990), but could not secure it due to his small stature. The role went to Arnold Schwarzenegger instead.

Was originally set to play Mario in Super Mario Bros. (1993) but backed out and was replaced by Bob Hoskins.

Is a huge fan of musician Mike Patton and his bands Fantomas and Peeping Tom, and asked to be in the video clip for the Peeping Tom single "Mojo". He was given a cameo.

Was considered for the role of George Costanza in Seinfeld (1989), which went to Jason Alexander.

Provides the voice of Herbert Powell, Homer Simpson's half-brother.

Cousin of filmmaker Jonathan M. Parisen.

Frequently appears in films with Jack Nicholson, including Goin' South (1978), One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), Terms of Endearment (1983), Hoffa (1992), and Mars Attacks! (1996). They have also both played Batman villains: The Joker in Batman (1989) and The Penguin in Batman Returns (1992).

Lives in Beverly Hills, CA, and attended the Beverly Hills Film Festival in 2008.

A staunch supporter of the Democratic Party.

Has been nominated for the Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actor three different times in three different decade--in the 1980s for Going Ape! (1981), in the 1990s for Batman Returns (1992) and in the 2000s for Deck the Halls (2006). He has never won.

First connection with Michael Douglas happened when he starred in a New York stage production of "Down the Morning Line" in 1969, directed by Douglas and written by Martin Sheen.

He was inducted into the 2010 New Jersey Hall of Fame for his services and contributions to Arts and Entertainment.

Close friends with Lucy Liu, Judd Hirsch, and Kristin Chenoweth.

Co-owner of a restaurant, called DeVito South Beach, in Miami, FL.

Has part of his family living in New Canaan, CT.

Has a vacation home in Interlaken, NJ.

Lives in Los Angeles and Malibu, CA.

In Romancing the Stone (1984), he makes a Batman-related joke, when he corners Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner in the cave ("Move it, before Batman comes home!"). Eight years later, he played "the Penguin" in Batman Returns (1992).

Drives a Nissan Leaf 100% electric car.

The launch of his and wife Rhea Perlman's production company, "Jersey Films", kicked off with the release of Hoffa (1992).

In the late 1960s he shared a New York apartment with fellow actor Michael Douglas at 338 West 89th Street in Manhattan where the rent was $75 each per month.

Co-starred with Michael Douglas in Romancing the Stone (1984), The Jewel of the Nile (1985), The War of the Roses (1989) and Solitary Man (2009). DeVito also starred in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), which Douglas produced.

He and estranged wife Rhea Perlman met when she went to see him appearing in the off-Broadway play "The Shrinking Bride" in 1971.

Directed one Oscar-nominated performance: Anne Ramsey in Throw Momma from the Train (1987).

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6906 Hollywood Blvd. on August 18, 2011.

Of all actors from the Tim Burton / Joel Schumacher Batman films, DeVito (as actor, producer or director) has had the most affiliation with other actors from the films. He has worked with Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Tracey Walter, Kim Basinger, Christopher Walken, Vincent Schiavelli, George Clooney, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Uma Thurman and more.

He has worked with 5 directors who have won a Best Director Oscar: Milos Forman, James L. Brooks, Robert Zemeckis, Barry Levinson, and Francis Ford Coppola.

As of 2014, has appeared in three films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), Terms of Endearment (1983) and L.A. Confidential (1997). Only the latter isn't a winner in the category. As a producer, he produced two films that Best Picture Oscar nominees: Pulp Fiction (1994) and Erin Brockovich (2000).

During his acting school years he lived with Michael Douglas. They remain great friends to this day.

Born on the same date as Lorne Michaels.

In addition to his multiple films with Jack Nicholson (The Joker in Batman (1989)), he has acted alongside every actor to play a villain in the original Batman film franchise with the exceptions of Tommy Lee Jones (Two-Face in Batman Forever (1995)) and Jeep Swenson (Bane in Batman & Robin (1997)): with Arnold Schwarzenegger (Mr. Freeze in Batman & Robin) in Twins (1988), Last Action Hero (1993), and Junior (1994); Jim Carrey (The Riddler in Batman Forever) in Man on the Moon (1999); and Uma Thurman (Poison Ivy in Batman Forever) in Be Cool (2005). Furthermore, he produced A Walk Among the Tombstones (2014), starring Liam Neeson (Ra's Al Ghul in Batman Begins (2005) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012)), and starred in Solitary Man (2009) alongside Jesse Eisenberg (Lex Luthor in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)).

Supported Bernie Sanders in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election.

Personal Quotes (7)
It's fun to be on the edge. I think you do your best work when you take chances, when you're not safe, when you're not in the middle of the road, at least for me, anyway.

Jersey is always with me. I was one of the lucky ones. Asbury Park is just the greatest place in the world to spend your childhood.

I used to love Benny Hill because he's nuts. And Monty Python [Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969)].

I'll watch Ricky Gervais in anything he does. The guy's hilarious.

Rhea loves Downton Abbey (2010). The costumes are great, let's put it that way.

I enjoy watching Piers Morgan over here. He also took to task a couple of people who needed it during the gun-control debate. Piers is OK by me.

I never missed Homeland (2011) when it was on. Or Deadwood (2004). I watch Jon Stewart a lot, too - I'm a big leftie. And a lot of news.