Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Danny DeVito
Discover the career path of Danny DeVito, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Danny DeVito is an American actor and filmmaker best known for his role as Louie De Palma in the TV series *Taxi*, for which he won a Golden Globe and an Emmy. He also stars as Frank Reynolds in the long-running sitcom *It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia*. DeVito's career spans decades, and he remains a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
1984: Directorial Debut with The Ratings Game
In 1984, Danny DeVito made his directorial debut with The Ratings Game.
1986: Directing and Starring in "The Wedding Ring" episode of Amazing Stories
In 1986, Danny DeVito directed and starred in the black comedy "The Wedding Ring", a season 2 episode of Steven Spielberg's anthology series Amazing Stories, where his character acquires an engagement ring for his wife.
1987: Feature-Directing Debut with Throw Momma from the Train
In 1987, Danny DeVito made his feature-directing debut with the dark comedy Throw Momma from the Train, in which he starred with Billy Crystal and Anne Ramsey. He also earned a Golden Globe Award nomination for his performance.
1989: Directing and Starring in The War of the Roses
In 1989, Danny DeVito reunited with Jewel of the Nile co-stars Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner when he directed and starred alongside them in The War of the Roses.
1991: Founding of Jersey Films
In 1991, Danny DeVito founded Jersey Films, a production company.
1994: Production of Pulp Fiction by Jersey Films
In 1994, Jersey Films, founded by Danny DeVito, produced the critically acclaimed film Pulp Fiction.
1995: Production of Get Shorty by Jersey Films
In 1995, Jersey Films, founded by Danny DeVito, produced the film Get Shorty.
1996: Directing Matilda
In 1996, Danny DeVito directed Matilda, a film adaptation of Roald Dahl's 1988 classic children's novel of the same name. He also narrated the film and played Harry Wormwood, Matilda's father.
1997: Negotiations Break Down for Mystery Men
In 1997, Danny DeVito was in talks for a $13-million deal to both star in and direct Mystery Men, but negotiations broke down over who would produce the soundtrack, leading him to walk away from the project.
1997: Production of Gattaca by Jersey Films
In 1997, Jersey Films, founded by Danny DeVito, produced the science fiction film Gattaca.
1998: Committing to Barthe and The Man Who Came to Dinner Remake
In 1998, Danny DeVito committed to star in and direct both the sci-fi film Barthe for TriStar, about an alien who falls in love, and a remake of The Man Who Came to Dinner for DreamWorks.
1999: Attached to Sugar's Sweet Science of Bruising
In 1999, Danny DeVito was attached to star, direct and produce Jason Keller's spec script Sugar's Sweet Science of Bruising for New Line Cinema.
2000: Academy Award Nomination for Erin Brockovich
In 2000, Danny DeVito received an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture for producing Erin Brockovich through Jersey Films.
2002: Release of Death to Smoochy
In 2002, Danny DeVito resurfaced with the release of Death to Smoochy.
2003: Release of Duplex
In 2003, Danny DeVito released the film Duplex, which was made back-to-back with Death to Smoochy.
2004: Production of Garden State by Jersey Films
In 2004, Jersey Films, founded by Danny DeVito, produced the film Garden State.
2005: Directing the Pilot Episode for Queen B
In 2005, Danny DeVito directed the pilot episode for a proposed Imagine TV sitcom Queen B, which was not picked up by the network for series.
2008: Attachment to The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
In 2008, Danny DeVito was attached to direct The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, a film adaptation, with Morgan Freeman, Pierce Brosnan, and Saoirse Ronan set to star.
2009: Plans for Crazy Eddie Biopic and St. Sebastian
In 2009, Danny DeVito planned to direct and produce the biopic Crazy Eddie, based on the life of consumer electronics king Eddie Antar, but the film could not be made due to a life rights deal. He then pivoted to making the apocalyptic horror thriller St. Sebastian.
2012: Post-Production Completion of St. Sebastian
In 2012, post-production was completed for Danny DeVito's apocalyptic horror thriller St. Sebastian, but the film has not been released to this day.
February 2013: DeVito's Continued Involvement in The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
In February 2013, Danny DeVito returned to the subject of The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, stating that he was looking for another young actress to star in the title role and was scouting movie locations in Ireland.
July 2014: Expected Restart of Production for The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
In July 2014, production for The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, directed by Danny DeVito, was expected to restart, but the release date is still classified as TBD.
2016: Inclusion of Faith No More Music in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
In 2016, Danny DeVito included music from Mike Patton's band Faith No More on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
2018: Guest role in The Kominsky Method and Voice role in Smallfoot
In 2018, Danny DeVito had a guest starring role in the Netflix comedy series The Kominsky Method, acting opposite Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin. He also voiced Dorgle in the Warner Bros. animated film Smallfoot.
2019: Reunion with Tim Burton in Dumbo and Role in Jumanji: The Next Level
In 2019, Danny DeVito reunited with Tim Burton, playing Max Medici in the live-action Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures' Dumbo, a remake of the 1941 animated film. He also played Eddie Gilpin in the action-comedy film Jumanji: The Next Level.
2019: Jersey Films Options Toms River Screen Rights
In 2019, Danny DeVito's company Jersey Films optioned the screen rights to make a film of Toms River: A Story of Science and Salvation, by Dan Fagin.
2020: Voice Role in The One and Only Ivan
In 2020, Danny DeVito voiced Bob, a stray dog in The One and Only Ivan.
2021: Role in The Survivor and Writing for Gotham City Villains
In 2021, Danny DeVito played Charlie Goldman in the biographical HBO drama film The Survivor. Additionally, that same year, DeVito wrote a 12-page story centered on the Penguin and Catwoman for the anthology comic Gotham City Villains.
2023: Acting roles in Haunted Mansion, Poolman, Migration and return to Broadway in I Need That
In 2023, Danny DeVito acted in the Disney horror-comedy Haunted Mansion, Chris Pine's directorial debut Poolman, and the Illumination animated film Migration. He also returned to Broadway in the Theresa Rebeck play I Need That in 2023.
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