I’m not writing about Danny DeVito because he’s married to Rhea Perlman, the last actress I wrote about. I don’t believe in giving equal time strictly based on marital ties. I chose to write about him, because, I find his story interesting. Like several other actors and actresses, DeVito didn’t intend to become an actor originally. It’s hard enough to break into the business if you hold the dream from the time you were able to talk. Unless you’re born into a show biz family, like Drew Barrymore, that is. With that being said, read this article and learn some little known facts about TAXI actor Danny DeVito you may find interesting as well!
Early Days
Daniel Michael DeVito Junior was born on November 17, 1944 in Neptune, New Jersey to parents Daniel Senior and mother Julia. The elder DeVito supported his family – wife, son and daughter Angela- by owning a number of small businesses. These included a dry cleaners, a restaurant and a pool hall.
His Education
Danny DeVito started his education at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Grammar School. From there he was enrolled at the Oratory Prep School in New Jersey. He graduated from the boarding school in 1961. A little known fact about TAXI actor Danny DeVito is that he attended the Wilfred Academy of Hair and Beauty Culture. He then worked as a licensed hair stylist at Angela’s shop.
Career Change
Only DeVito knows why he did it. But, after about five years of working as a stylist, the young man decided to give acting a try. After he studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, DeVito hit the stage in the off-Broadway play, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. In 1971, he played a bit part in the movie.
TAXI
Other roles followed, but DeVito’s career really took off when he got the role of “Louie De Palma” in ABC’s award-winning comedy, TAXI. The series lasted from 1979 to 1983. It earned the actor an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award for “Best Supporting Actor.
Oftentimes, when television shows are canceled, the actors and actresses find themselves frantically searching for work. This wasn’t the case with Danny DeVito. Right after TAXI was canceled, the five-foot tall actor walked onto the big screen just as big as you please. In 1983 came “Terms of Endearment”, followed by “Romancing the Stone” in 1984, and “The Jewel of the Nile” in 1985. In 1986 came “Ruthless People” with Bette Midler- read about her here.
Height of Success
Although Danny DeVito’s actual height has been debated, ranging anywhere from four-foot-eleven-inches to five-foot-one-inch tall, depending on what source you go by, his small stature has never been hindered his success. In fact, a little known fact about TAXI actor Danny DeVito is that his height- or lack of it- along with his acting talents made him a shoo-in for the role of “The Penguin” in the award-winning movie, “Batman Returns” in 1992.
Director/Producer
DeVito has since turned into a director of movies as well. Some of his works include “Throw Momma From the Train” (1987), “Death to Smoochy” (2002) and “I Married a Witch” (2004), starring Tom Cruise.
Besides directing, DeVito has moved into producing as well. “Jersey Films” is the production company he and his wife formed. They have produced such movies as “Pulp Fiction” (1994), “Get Shorty” (1995) and “Erin Brockovich” (2000). Yet, with all of this directing and producing going on, DeVito hasn’t given up acting. He produced and co-starred in the 1999 movie, “Man on the Moon”. It’s the life story of his TAXI co-star Andy Kaufman (1949 – 1984).
Other Business
A little known fact about TAXI actor Danny DeVito is that the vegetarian has broken into the restaurant business as well. He and the famous restaurant operators David Manero and Michael Brauser opened up “DeVito South Beach”, an Italian restaurant, in 2007. The menu includes antipasti, pasta, salads, Florida Lobster Tail, Kobe Flat Iron Steak, Truffle Fried Organic Eggs and much more.
Another little known fact about TAXI actor Danny DeVito is that he has created his own brand of limoncello. As a boy, he and his friends ran a lemonade stand where they sold, according to DeVito, “the best lemonade you ever tasted.” Now, he has taken that a step farther and has collaborated with Harbrew Imports Inc. of Freeport, New York to market the “best limoncello you ever tasted.”
If you’ve never heard of limoncello, it’s an Italian liqueur made from water, sugar, lemon rinds and alcohol. Just like lemons, Limoncello is yellow in color. However, since no lemon juice is used in its making, it doesn’t have a sour taste.
Family Life
Danny DeVito married actress Rhea Perlman in 1982. They have three children.
