History of Danny DeVito in Timeline

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

1942: Original 'I Married a Witch' Release

The original film, "I Married a Witch" was released in 1942, which Danny DeVito considered remaking in 2003.

January 17, 1971: Meeting Rhea Perlman

On January 17, 1971, Danny DeVito met Rhea Perlman after she attended a performance of the play The Shrinking Bride, which he was in. They moved in together two weeks later.

January 28, 1982: Marriage to Rhea Perlman

On January 28, 1982, Danny DeVito married Rhea Perlman.

March 11, 1983: Birth of Daughter Lucy Chet DeVito

On March 11, 1983, Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman's first child, Lucy Chet DeVito, was born.

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.

March 1985: Birth of Daughter Grace Fan DeVito

In March 1985, Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman's daughter, Grace Fan DeVito, was born.

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.

October 1987: Birth of Son Jacob Daniel DeVito

In October 1987, Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman's son, Jacob Daniel DeVito, was born.

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.

1988: Publication of Roald Dahl's Matilda

In 1988, Roald Dahl's classic children's novel "Matilda" was published, which Danny DeVito would later adapt into a film in 1996.

Matilda

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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: Purchase of Beverly Hills House

In 1994, Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman purchased a 14,579-square-foot house in Beverly Hills, California, where they resided until 2015.

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".

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.

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.

2005: Discovering Mike Patton's Music

In 2005, Danny DeVito discovered the music of singer Mike Patton through his son Jacob and became a big fan of his various musical projects.

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.

October 2012: First Separation from Rhea Perlman

In October 2012, Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman separated after 30 years of marriage and over 40 years together.

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.

March 2013: Reconciliation with Rhea Perlman

In March 2013, Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman reconciled after their separation.

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.

April 2015: Selling Beverly Hills House

In April 2015, Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman sold their 14,579-square-foot house in Beverly Hills, California, for US$24 million.

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".

March 2017: Second Separation from Rhea Perlman

In March 2017, Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman separated for a second time, but remained on amicable terms.

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.

Toms River: A Story of Science and Salvation

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2019: Closer Friendship with Rhea Perlman

In 2019, Rhea Perlman stated that she and Danny DeVito had become closer friends after their separation than they were in their final years as a couple.