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 acclaimed American actor and filmmaker, widely recognized for his role as Louie De Palma in the television series *Taxi*, earning him both a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award. He is currently known for his portrayal of Frank Reynolds on the long-running FXX sitcom *It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia*. DeVito's career spans decades, solidifying his status as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
1984: Directorial Debut with The Ratings Game
In 1984, Danny DeVito made his directorial debut with the film 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. He acquired an engagement ring for his wife which led to her being possessed by the ring's former owner.
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 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 Jersey Films
In 1991, Danny DeVito founded Jersey Films, a production company responsible for various films.
1994: Production of Pulp Fiction
In 1994, Jersey Films produced Pulp Fiction.
1995: Production of Get Shorty
In 1995, Jersey Films produced Get Shorty.
1996: Directing and Starring in Matilda
In 1996, Danny DeVito directed Matilda, a film adaptation of Roald Dahl's 1988 novel of the same name. He also served as the Narrator and played the villainous used-car dealer father Harry Wormwood opposite his wife Rhea Perlman.
1997: Negotiations Breakdown 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.
1998: Commitment to Star in and Direct 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: Attachment 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, for which Danny DeVito received an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.
2002: Release of Death to Smoochy
Danny DeVito resurfaced with Death to Smoochy in 2002 after some projects were delayed.
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
In 2004, Jersey Films produced Garden State.
2005: Directing the Pilot Episode for Queen B
In 2005, Danny DeVito directed the pilot episode for a proposed Imagine TV sitcom called Queen B; however, the show was not picked up by the network for a series.
2008: Attachment to Direct The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
Since 2008, Danny DeVito has been attached to direct a film adaptation of The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle with Morgan Freeman, Pierce Brosnan and Saoirse Ronan starring.
2009: Reported Direction and Production of Crazy Eddie Biopic
In 2009, it was reported that Danny DeVito would direct and produce the biopic Crazy Eddie, based on the life of consumer electronics king Eddie Antar, from a script by Peter Steinfeld. This film could not be made due to a life rights deal.
2012: Post-Production Completion of St. Sebastian
In 2012, Danny DeVito's apocalyptic horror thriller St. Sebastian completed post-production, but as of the current date, it has not been released.
February 2013: Revisiting The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
In February 2013, Danny DeVito revisited the subject of directing The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, mentioning he was looking for another young actress to star in the title role and scouting movie locations in Ireland.
July 2014: Expected Restart of Production for The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
Production for Danny DeVito's project, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, was expected to restart in July 2014. However, the release date remains "TBD" without any new information.
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 Starring in The Kominsky Method and Voicing Dorgle in Smallfoot
In 2018, Danny DeVito guest starred in the Netflix comedy series The Kominsky Method, acting opposite Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin. Additionally, in 2018, he voiced the character Dorgle in the Warner Bros. animated film Smallfoot.
2019: Acting in Dumbo and Jumanji: The Next Level
In 2019, Danny DeVito reunited with Tim Burton, playing Max Medici in the live-action Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures film Dumbo, a remake of the 1941 animated film. He also played Eddie Gilpin in the action-comedy film Jumanji: The Next Level. This movie was a box office and critical success.
2019: Optioning Screen Rights to 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.
2020: Voicing Bob in The One and Only Ivan
In 2020, Danny DeVito voiced the character Bob, a stray dog, in the film The One and Only Ivan.
2021: Acting in The Survivor and Writing Gotham City Villains Comic
In 2021, Danny DeVito played Charlie Goldman in the biographical HBO drama film The Survivor. That same year, in 2021, he wrote a 12-page story centered on the Penguin and Catwoman for the anthology comic Gotham City Villains.
2023: Acting in Haunted Mansion, Poolman, Migration and I Need That
In 2023, Danny DeVito acted in the Disney horror comedy Haunted Mansion, Chris Pine's directorial film debut Poolman, and the Illumination animated film Migration. Also in 2023, he returned to Broadway in the Theresa Rebeck play I Need That.
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