Danny DeVito

Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. is an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker. He is widely recognized for his energetic comedy roles, short stature, raspy voice, and distinct accent. He gained early fame for his portrayal of taxi dispatcher Louie De Palma on the television series Taxi, a role that earned him both a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy Award. Since 2006, he has starred as Frank Reynolds on the sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

DeVito was born on November 17, 1944, in Neptune Township, New Jersey, to Daniel DeVito Sr. and Julia DeVito. He grew up in Asbury Park, New Jersey, in a Catholic family of five with two older sisters. He attended Oratory Preparatory School, graduating in 1962. After working as a beautician at his sister's salon, his search for a makeup instructor led him to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where he graduated in 1966. He subsequently performed in theater productions, including off-Broadway plays such as Shoot Anything With Hair That Moves and The Man with the Flower in His Mouth.

DeVito made his feature film debut in Dreams of Glass (1970). In 1975, he reprised his off-Broadway stage role as Martini in the film adaptation of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. After his breakthrough on Taxi in 1978, he expanded his film career, appearing in Terms of Endearment (1983), Romancing the Stone (1984), The Jewel of the Nile (1985), Ruthless People (1986), Twins (1988), Batman Returns (1992), Get Shorty (1995), Space Jam (1996), L.A. Confidential (1997), Big Fish (2003), Wiener-Dog (2016), and Jumanji: The Next Level (2019). He has also voiced characters in animated projects including Hercules (1997), The Lorax (2012), Smallfoot (2018), and Migration (2023).

Beyond acting, DeVito made his feature directorial debut with Throw Momma from the Train (1987). He went on to direct and star in films such as The War of the Roses (1989), Hoffa (1992), and Matilda (1996). In 1991, he co-founded the production company Jersey Films, which produced films such as Pulp Fiction (1994), Garden State (2004), and Freedom Writers (2007). He was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture as a producer for Erin Brockovich (2000). He later created Jersey Television, which produced the series Reno 911!, as well as Jersey Films 2nd Avenue alongside his children, Lucy and Jake.

In theater, DeVito appeared in a West End revival of Neil Simon's The Sunshine Boys from 2012 to 2013. He made his Broadway debut in a 2017 revival of Arthur Miller's The Price, earning a Tony Award nomination for his performance. He returned to Broadway in 2023 to star in the Theresa Rebeck play I Need That. Throughout his career, his work in television was recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011.