At 4 feet 10 inches tall, Danny DeVito turned what Hollywood called a limitation into his greatest asset. Born Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. on November 17, 1944, in Neptune Township, New Jersey, he built a career that spans Emmy-winning television roles, acclaimed directing work, and blockbuster films.
The 80-year-old actor, director, and producer has accumulated an estimated net worth of $80 million as of 2025. From playing the unforgettable Louie DePalma in Taxi to voicing beloved animated characters and starring in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, DeVito remains one of entertainment’s most recognizable figures.
Danny DeVito Bio/Wiki
| Facts | Details |
| Full Name | Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. |
| Date of Birth | November 17, 1944 |
| Age | 80 years old (as of November 2025) |
| Birthplace | Neptune Township, New Jersey, USA |
| Height | 4’10” (147 cm) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Italo-Albanian (Arbëresh descent) |
| Religion | Raised Catholic |
| Occupation | Actor, Director, Producer, Voice Actor |
| Years Active | 1970–present |
| Spouse | Rhea Perlman (m. 1982, separated 2017, not divorced) |
| Children | Lucy Chet DeVito, Grace Fan DeVito, Jacob Daniel DeVito |
| Grandchildren | Sinclair Lucille DeVito, Carmine DeVito |
| Net Worth | $80 million (as of 2025) |
| Notable Awards | Emmy Award (1981), Golden Globe, Tony nomination |
Early Life: Growing Up in Asbury Park
Danny DeVito grew up in Asbury Park, New Jersey, in a tight-knit family of five with his parents and two older sisters. His family roots trace back to San Fele in Basilicata, Italy, and the Arbëresh Albanian community of Calabria.
Raised in a Catholic household, DeVito convinced his father to send him to boarding school at age 14. He later graduated from Oratory Preparatory School in Summit, New Jersey, in 1962.
His childhood wasn’t easy. As DeVito recalled in interviews, “I was plagued; I couldn’t slow-dance with the girls I wanted to because my face would be in a spot where I might be thought of as moving too fast.”
Neighborhood bullies made him a target, though he credits loyal friends who “helped me and looked out for me.” The coastal New Jersey town shaped his worldview. “Asbury Park is just the greatest place in the world to spend your childhood,” DeVito told interviewers years later.
Danny DeVito Medical Reality: Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia
DeVito’s 4’10” stature results from multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED), also called Fairbank’s disease—a rare genetic disorder affecting bone and cartilage development (NPR). According to medical sources, MED stunts bone growth and can lead to premature arthritis and joint problems.
When asked if he felt pressure to compensate for his height with personality, DeVito’s response was telling: it never crossed his mind. This philosophy became his secret weapon in Hollywood.
His own height statements have varied over the years. DeVito once joked, “On a really good day, I’m five feet short,” while Arnold Schwarzenegger described him as “4ft 9.” Medical records consistently list him at 4’10” (147 cm).
From Beautician to Actor: An Accidental Career Path
DeVito’s entry into acting was completely unplanned. While working as a beautician at his sister’s salon, he searched for professional makeup instruction and stumbled upon the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
He applied to take makeup classes in 1966 but received unexpected encouragement after his audition monologue—so he pursued acting instead. His early theater work included performances with the Colonnades Theater Lab at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut.
There, he performed alongside Rhea Perlman, who would become his wife. He also connected with Michael Douglas, beginning a friendship and professional partnership that would span decades. “I just wanted to learn makeup,” he’s said. “Acting found me—I didn’t find it.”
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Breakthrough: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Taxi
DeVito’s first major film role came in 1975 when director Milos Forman and Michael Douglas asked him to reprise his off-Broadway role of Martini in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. The film swept the five major Academy Awards in 1976 and starred Jack Nicholson.
Everything changed in 1978 with Taxi. Before his audition for the ABC sitcom, DeVito famously slammed down the script and demanded, “Who wrote this sh**?”
The producers recognized that exact attitude was perfect for taxi dispatcher Louie DePalma—and cast him on the spot. His portrayal earned him a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1981, according to Emmy.com records. The show ran for five years (1978-1983), with Louie DePalma becoming one of television’s most memorable characters.
Danny DeVito Film Career: Owning the “Nasty Little Guy” Role
DeVito embraced his typecasting with remarkable self-awareness. “I don’t play a good victim so I’m always the nasty little guy,” he told interviewers.
His 1980s and 1990s filmography became legendary: Terms of Endearment (1983), Romancing the Stone (1984), Ruthless People (1986), and Throw Momma from the Train (1987). He starred opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in Twins (1988), creating one of cinema’s most memorable odd-couple pairings.
His turn as The Penguin in Tim Burton’s Batman Returns (1992) earned him an MTV Movie Award nomination for Best Villain. In a interview, director Tim Burton praised DeVito’s commitment, saying, “He disappeared into that character completely.”
DeVito also directed and starred in the beloved Matilda (1996), reportedly earning $5 million for the role according to industry sources. What makes his career trajectory fascinating is how he converted physical distinctiveness into instant recognizability—in an era before social media, audiences knew him immediately. This brand power gave him leverage few character actors ever achieved.
Behind the Camera: Jersey Films Success
DeVito co-founded Jersey Films with Michael Shamberg, later bringing in Stacey Sher as an equal partner. The production company became a Hollywood powerhouse known for edgy, quality films.
As reported by IMDb, Jersey Films produced Pulp Fiction (1994), Get Shorty (1995), and Man on the Moon (1999). DeVito received an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture as producer of Erin Brockovich (2000), which starred Julia Roberts.
The company also produced Garden State (2004) and Freedom Writers (2007). Jersey Films owned Jersey Television, which produced Comedy Central’s Reno 911!
As a director, DeVito showed a preference for dark comedy. His directorial credits include Throw Momma from the Train (1987), The War of the Roses (1989), and Hoffa (1992). Critics noted his willingness to explore morally complex characters and uncomfortable humor.
Danny DeVito Voice Acting: Expanding His Range
DeVito built an impressive voice acting portfolio that introduced him to new generations. He voiced Philoctetes, the satyr trainer, in Disney’s Hercules (1997)—a role that showcased his comedic timing without his physical presence.
He provided the voice for Homer Simpson’s long-lost brother Herb in The Simpsons, creating a memorable multi-episode arc. DeVito voiced the title character in The Lorax (2012), Dr. Seuss’s environmental fable.
In an interview with Animation Magazine (2012), DeVito said voice acting allowed him to “play characters I could never physically embody.” His more recent voice work includes Smallfoot (2018) and Migration (2023). Voice acting proved financially rewarding, with major animated films paying top-tier talent substantial fees.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: A Second Act
DeVito joined It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia in 2006 as Frank Reynolds, a morally bankrupt father figure. The FXX sitcom became one of the longest-running live-action comedies in television history.
The role introduced DeVito to millennial and Gen-Z audiences who hadn’t grown up with Taxi. Frank Reynolds pushes boundaries far beyond anything DeVito had done before—often playing grotesque, outrageous scenarios for dark comedy.
In a 2019 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, DeVito said, “I get to do stuff I’d never get away with in the ’80s.” At the 75th Emmy Awards presentation, DeVito joked with his castmates about never receiving Emmy nominations for Sunny, despite winning for Taxi. The moment went viral, showing his continued relevance and self-deprecating humor.
Broadway Return: Tony Nomination at 72
DeVito made his Broadway debut in 2017 at age 72, playing Gregory Solomon in Arthur Miller’s The Price. His performance earned him a Tony Award nomination, according to Tony Awards official records.
He returned to Broadway in 2023 for Theresa Rebeck’s I Need That, starring alongside his daughter Lucy. Lucy told The New York Times the play explored “loneliness and love, and the hardships you experience with your family while getting older.”
From 2012 to 2013, DeVito played Willie Clark in the West End revival of Neil Simon’s The Sunshine Boys. His stage work demonstrated his range extended far beyond screen comedy. Theater critics consistently praised his timing, emotional depth, and ability to inhabit complex characters.
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Danny DeVito Personal Life: The Rhea Perlman Partnership
Danny DeVito met Rhea Perlman on January 17, 1971, when she attended a single performance of The Shrinking Bride. They moved in together two weeks later.
After eleven years together, they married on January 28, 1982. They have three children: Lucy Chet DeVito (born March 11, 1983), Grace Fan DeVito (born March 1985), and Jacob Daniel DeVito (born October 1987).
The couple separated in October 2012 after 30 years of marriage, reconciled in March 2013, then separated again in March 2017. According to multiple interviews, they remain on amicable terms with no divorce filed.
Perlman clarified their unique situation on Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Wiser Than Me podcast in 2023: “We are still very good friends and we see each other a lot.” She added, “It was very difficult at first,” but they’ve reached “a pretty decent understanding.” DeVito told PEOPLE in 2019, “We’re friends. We’re happy. Everybody’s happy.”
Raising Children Without Religious Pressure
With Perlman being Jewish and DeVito raised Catholic, they took an unconventional approach to their children’s religious education. Perlman told the Los Angeles Times they raised their children without imposing organized religion.
“Our kids are not Jewish, and they’re not Catholic. They’re not Episcopalian. They’re not Buddhist. They’re not anything,” she explained. The couple celebrated holidays from both traditions “to keep the traditions and the culture going.”
Perlman emphasized, “I feel like I’m bringing them up to be good people, and that’s what it’s about.” Jake DeVito told The Associated Press, “They were really good about keeping our home really solid and safe” despite media attention. This approach reflected their desire to let their children choose their own paths without dogma.
Three Creative Children: Different Paths
All three DeVito children pursued creative careers with varying degrees of public visibility.
Lucy Chet DeVito (41 as of 2025) followed most directly in her parents’ footsteps. She attended Brown University for theater, then returned to Hollywood for acting roles.
Lucy appeared on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Melissa & Joey, and starred with her father in Jumanji: The Next Level (2019). In 2022, Lucy and Danny teamed for Little Demon, an adult animated series where Danny played Satan and Lucy his daughter, the anti-Christ.
In June 2024, Lucy married (her husband’s identity remains private), and in July 2024 welcomed a son named Carmine. Grace Fan DeVito (39 as of 2025) chose a different path from her family.
After getting her MFA from CalArts in 2012, she pursued visual art, also studying at The New York Studio School. Grace works as a performance artist and painter in Los Angeles, married to fellow painter Andy Giannakakis since 2019.
In an interview with Cultured magazine, Grace said, “There was no pressure whatsoever” to follow her parents’ careers. She welcomed a daughter named Sinclair Lucille DeVito in April-May 2023.
Jacob Daniel DeVito (37 as of 2025) works behind the scenes as a producer and director. Jake served as executive producer on Little Demon with Lucy and worked on short film Curmudgeons with his father. Jake told media outlets he and his father have “always stayed really close. We’ve had a very tight, warm relationship.”
Grandparenthood: “Tamper Me Down in the Joy Department”
DeVito became a grandfather in 2023 when Grace had daughter Sinclair, followed by Lucy’s son Carmine in July 2024. At PaleyLive’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia 20th Anniversary Celebration on July 1, 2024, DeVito gushed about his new role.
“In two years, my daughters have had a baby each, and since these babies have been born, you gotta tamper me down in the joy department,” he told AARP. “I’m just like, you know, busting,” he continued.
DeVito offered parenting advice rooted in patience: “There’s that saying, a watched pot never boils. So I apply that to my kids.” He explained, “I look at them all the time, because I don’t want them to boil. I want them to take their time and grow.”
“No matter what happens in your life, the main thing is that you’ve got family and friends,” DeVito shared. “That’s all we have, basically: reliable people in our lives who we can talk to and we can open up to.” His approach to grandparenting mirrors his laid-back parenting style—present without hovering, supportive without controlling.
Lucy’s Wedding: A Family Celebration
Lucy DeVito married on June 28, 2024, in a ceremony DeVito described as “amazing, wonderful.” Speaking at the PaleyLive event days later, he shared, “You make the speech and the whole thing. It was very emotional and really cool.”
DeVito praised his sons-in-law enthusiastically. “Both my daughters married these really spectacular guys,” he said.
About son Jake’s relationship status, DeVito joked, “Jake is an outrigger. We don’t know what’s going to happen with him.” He added with characteristic humor, “He’s got a girlfriend. Maybe I get a hat-trick!”
Danny DeVito Net Worth and Financial Success
Danny DeVito has an estimated net worth of $80 million as of 2025, according to Celebrity Net Worth. His wealth stems from his multifaceted career spanning acting, directing, producing, and voice work.
DeVito reportedly made $5 million for his role as Harry Wormwood in Matilda (1996), according to industry reports. Jersey Films productions, including the Oscar-winning Erin Brockovich, added significantly to his wealth through producer profits.
His long-running role on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia provides steady income. In 2022, DeVito became Jersey Mike’s first-ever celebrity partner, likely earning at least several hundred thousand dollars for commercials. His childhood connection to the original Jersey Mike’s location made the partnership authentic.
Real Estate Portfolio
Before their separation, Danny DeVito and Perlman owned impressive real estate. They purchased a 14,579-square-foot house in Beverly Hills, California, in 1994, later selling the property for $24 million in April 2015 according to real estate records.
The couple still owns a bungalow near Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. They also maintain a multi-residence compound on Broad Beach in Malibu, one of California’s most exclusive coastal areas.
They previously owned a home in Interlaken, New Jersey, used as an East Coast retreat. Holding properties in prime locations allowed wealth appreciation beyond his entertainment earnings. The decision to maintain some shared properties post-separation reflects their unique relationship dynamic.
Cultural Connections: Music, Comedy, Jersey Roots
DeVito has mentioned being a fan of singer Mike Patton’s various musical projects since 2005, when son Jacob introduced him. He collaborated with Patton on a music video and has attended several concerts.
In 2016, DeVito included music from Patton’s band Faith No More on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. His comedy influences shaped his career choices.
“I used to love Benny Hill because he’s nuts. And Monty Python,” DeVito told interviewers. “I’ll watch Ricky Gervais in anything he does. The guy’s hilarious.”
His New Jersey roots remain central to his identity. “Jersey is always with me,” DeVito has said repeatedly. The Jersey Mike’s partnership in 2022 circled back to his youth, when he’d eat at the original location near his childhood home.
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Career Longevity: Still Working at 80
At 80 years old (as of November 17, 2024), DeVito shows no signs of slowing down. He continues starring on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, which aired its 16th season in 2023-2024.
On January 8, 2025, he appeared in a crossover episode with ABC’s Abbott Elementary, bringing his comedy to new audiences. Recent film work includes Tim Burton’s Dumbo (2019), Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024), and A Sudden Case of Christmas (2024).
DeVito’s work ethic remains impressive. “It’s fun to be on the edge,” he told interviewers about his approach. “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.”
The Kindergarten Cop Near-Miss
DeVito was considered for the lead role in Kindergarten Cop (1990) before Arnold Schwarzenegger got the part. Director Ivan Reitman decided not to move forward with DeVito because of his height, according to entertainment industry source (including Fandom Wire).
The role went to Schwarzenegger and became a massive hit. Schwarzenegger later stated Kindergarten Cop was his favorite movie of his career.
The near-miss shows how Hollywood’s height bias shaped casting decisions. Yet DeVito’s career trajectory ultimately proved more versatile and enduring than many conventional leading men. His collaboration with Schwarzenegger in Twins created comedy gold that a straight Kindergarten Cop casting might not have matched.
Danny DeVito Awards and Recognition
Emmy Award (1981): Best Supporting Actor for Taxi, according to Emmy.com official records.
Golden Globe Award: For Taxi performance, with three additional Emmy nominations.
Tony Award nomination (2017): For The Price Broadway performance.
MTV Movie Award nomination: Best Villain for Batman Returns (1992).
Academy Award nomination: Producer for Best Picture for Erin Brockovich (2000).
His awards reflect both his comedic brilliance and his behind-the-scenes production skills. The Emmy win for Taxi launched him as a serious actor. The Tony nomination at age 72 proved his range extended beyond screen work into prestigious stage performances.
Hollywood Philosophy: Navigating the Jungle
DeVito’s perspective on Hollywood reveals hard-won wisdom. “Hollywood is a jungle. It’s full of quicksand, vermin and flesh-eating beasts,” he told interviewers.
Yet he thrives in this environment. “Fighting a battle and winning is fun, and this business is fun. I love it,” DeVito explained.
On overcoming Hollywood’s height bias, DeVito reflected: “In school, other kids would often tease me and make jokes about my height.” “But in my acting career, I’ve learned that size doesn’t really make any difference as long as it’s a good role.”
He added, “One of my problems was to make people in my profession understand there are parts for short actors.” This advocacy opened doors not just for himself but for other actors who didn’t fit conventional physical standards. His success proved casting directors could look beyond measurements to find authentic talent.
Legacy: Redefining Hollywood’s Mold
Danny DeVito’s career offers a master class in turning perceived limitations into distinctive advantages. From his breakout as Louie DePalma to his terrifying Penguin, from Jersey Films’ Oscar-nominated productions to his millennium-spanning TV sitcom success, he built an empire on authenticity.
At 80, his legacy extends far beyond the inches he was told would limit him. He proved that personality, talent, and resilience outshine physical measurements every single time.
DeVito didn’t break Hollywood’s mold for leading men. He proved the mold was irrelevant all along. His story resonates with anyone who’s been told they don’t fit—a lesson that size, background, or unconventional paths can’t stop true talent.
FAQ’s About Danny DeVito
How tall is Danny DeVito?
Danny DeVito is 4 feet 10 inches (147 cm) tall due to multiple epiphyseal dysplasia, a genetic bone growth disorder.
What is Danny DeVito’s net worth in 2025?
Danny DeVito’s estimated net worth is $80 million as of 2025, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Is Danny DeVito still married to Rhea Perlman?
Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman separated in 2017 but remain legally married, maintaining a close friendship.
How many grandchildren does Danny DeVito have?
Danny DeVito has two grandchildren: Sinclair Lucille DeVito (born 2023) and Carmine DeVito (born July 2024).
What is Danny DeVito’s most famous role?
His most famous roles include Louie DePalma in Taxi (1978-1983) and Frank Reynolds in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2006-present).
Did Danny DeVito win an Oscar?
No, but he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture as producer of Erin Brockovich (2000).
How old is Danny DeVito?
Danny DeVito is 80 years old, born on November 17, 1944.
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