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 renowned for his comedic roles. He rose to fame as Louie De Palma in the TV series *Taxi*, earning a Golden Globe and an Emmy. Currently, he stars as Frank Reynolds in the long-running sitcom *It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia*. DeVito's career spans decades, marked by his distinctive voice, comedic timing, and memorable characters across television and film.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1984: Directorial Debut with 'The Ratings Game'

In 1984, Danny DeVito made his directorial debut with the film "The Ratings Game", marking a new phase in his career.

1986: Directing and Starring in 'The Wedding Ring'

In 1986, Danny DeVito directed and starred in "The Wedding Ring", which was a season 2 episode of Steven Spielberg's series Amazing Stories. He played a character who bought an engagement ring for his wife, played by Rhea Perlman, who became possessed when she put it on.

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", starring alongside Billy Crystal and Anne Ramsey. His performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination.

1989: Directing and Starring in 'The War of the Roses'

In 1989, Danny DeVito directed and starred in "The War of the Roses", reuniting with Jewel of the Nile co-stars Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner.

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 film "Pulp Fiction".

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1995: Production of 'Get Shorty' by Jersey Films

In 1995, Jersey Films, founded by Danny DeVito, produced the film "Get Shorty".

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1996: Directing 'Matilda'

In 1996, Danny DeVito directed "Matilda", a film adaptation of Roald Dahl's children's novel. He also narrated and played Harry Wormwood.

Matilda

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1997: Negotiations for 'Mystery Men' Break Down

In 1997, Danny DeVito was in talks for a $13 million deal to star in and direct "Mystery Men", but negotiations broke down over who would produce the soundtrack, causing him to walk away from the project.

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1997: Production of 'Gattaca' by Jersey Films

In 1997, Jersey Films, founded by Danny DeVito, produced the film "Gattaca".

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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 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: Production of 'Erin Brockovich'

In 2000, Jersey Films produced "Erin Brockovich", which earned Danny DeVito an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.

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2002: Release of 'Death to Smoochy'

In 2002, Danny DeVito resurfaced with the film "Death to Smoochy".

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2003: Release of 'Duplex'

In 2003, Danny DeVito's film "Duplex" was released.

2004: Production of 'Garden State' by Jersey Films

In 2004, Jersey Films, founded by Danny DeVito, produced the film "Garden State".

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2005: Directing 'Queen B' Pilot

In 2005, Danny DeVito directed the pilot episode for a proposed Imagine TV sitcom called "Queen B", but the show was not picked up by the network.

2008: Attached to Direct 'The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle'

Since 2008, Danny DeVito has been attached to direct "The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle", but production was halted due to an injury.

2009: Plans for 'Crazy Eddie' Biopic Announced

In 2009, it was reported that Danny DeVito would direct and produce a biopic, "Crazy Eddie", about Eddie Antar, but the film was never made.

2012: 'St. Sebastian' Completes Post-Production

In 2012, "St. Sebastian", an apocalyptic horror thriller directed by Danny DeVito, completed post-production, but has not been released to this day.

February 2013: Restarting 'The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle' Production

In February 2013, Danny DeVito mentioned he was looking for a new actress for "The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle" and was scouting locations in Ireland for the film.

July 2014: Expected Restart of 'The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle' Production

Production of "The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle", which Danny DeVito was set to direct, was expected to restart in July 2014, but the release date remains unconfirmed.

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, in an episode of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia".

2019: Jersey Films Options 'Toms River'

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.