Danny DeVito has spent more than five decades building a career that reaches across television, film, theater, directing, and producing. Known for his distinctive comic timing and memorable character performances, he has remained a familiar face to audiences of different generations.

For readers searching for Danny DeVito age, the answer is straightforward: Danny DeVito was born on November 17, 1944, in Neptune, New Jersey. As of September 2026, he is 81 years old. He will turn 82 on November 17, 2026. His long career makes his age particularly interesting because he has continued working across entertainment for decades.

But DeVito’s story is about much more than a number. From his early days in theater to his breakthrough on Taxi, major film roles, directing work, and later success on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, his career has developed through several distinct eras.

BIO

Danny DeVito Age and Birth Date

Danny DeVito was born Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. on November 17, 1944, in Neptune, New Jersey. He grew up in Asbury Park and attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel Grammar School before going to Oratory Prep School in Summit, New Jersey.

Because his birthday falls in November, his age changes toward the end of each calendar year. In September 2026, DeVito is 81. On November 17, 2026, he will celebrate his 82nd birthday.

His career has lasted long enough that he has worked across several generations of Hollywood. He became widely known during the late 1970s, established himself as a major film actor during the 1980s and 1990s, and then found another generation of viewers through television in the 2000s.

That longevity is one of the most notable parts of his professional story.

Danny DeVito’s Early Life

DeVito was raised in New Jersey in a family with strong connections to small business and community life. His father, Daniel Sr., operated several businesses over the years, including a dry-cleaning business, luncheonette, dairy outlet, and pool hall. His mother was Julia DeVito.

Acting was not initially an obvious career choice for DeVito. He participated in school productions while growing up, but after finishing high school in 1962, he did not immediately pursue acting as a profession.

Instead, he worked at his older sister’s beauty salon. His path toward acting changed when he became interested in learning professional makeup techniques and eventually enrolled at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.

That experience introduced him more seriously to performance and helped turn an early interest into a professional ambition. In a 2026 interview with AARP, DeVito recalled that he initially entered the academy for practical reasons but gradually became increasingly interested in acting.

How Danny DeVito Started His Acting Career

DeVito’s professional career began on stage. According to AARP’s 2026 profile, his first paying role was in the play The Contrast in 1965. His early theater work gave him valuable experience before he moved into larger screen roles.

One of the important early turning points came with One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. DeVito appeared in the stage production before reprising the role of Martini in the 1975 film adaptation.

The movie became a major success and helped bring DeVito wider recognition. Although he was not yet the household name audiences would later know, the role demonstrated that he could make a strong impression in a major motion picture.

His career soon moved into an even more important phase when he joined the cast of Taxi.

Danny DeVito’s Breakthrough With Taxi

For many viewers, Taxi was the project that transformed Danny DeVito from a working actor into a widely recognized television star.

The sitcom premiered in 1978, and DeVito played Louie De Palma, the sharp-tempered dispatcher at the center of the show’s garage. The character was often difficult and selfish, but DeVito’s performance gave Louie a distinctive comic personality.

His work on Taxi earned major industry recognition. He won both an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for the role, helping establish him as one of television’s memorable character performers.

The series ran from 1978 to 1983 and gave DeVito a national platform. It also introduced audiences to his particular style of comedy, which combined physical performance, timing, sarcasm, and a strong ability to create memorable characters.

The success of Taxi became the foundation for his increasingly successful film career.

Danny DeVito’s Biggest Movie Roles

After Taxi, DeVito became a regular presence in Hollywood movies. During the 1980s and 1990s, he appeared in a wide variety of projects and developed a reputation as a dependable character actor who could bring personality to supporting and leading roles.

One of his notable films was Romancing the Stone in 1984, followed by Ruthless People in 1986 and Throw Momma from the Train in 1987. He also starred opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in Twins in 1988.

These movies showed his range within comedy. Rather than playing exactly the same type of character, DeVito adapted his performance to the tone and story of each production.

Another major role arrived in 1992 when he played The Penguin, also known as Oswald Cobblepot, in Tim Burton’s Batman Returns. The dark comic-book film gave DeVito an opportunity to play a more unusual and visually distinctive character.

His film work continued with movies such as Get Shorty, Matilda, Man on the Moon, and Jumanji: The Next Level. His ability to move between comedy, drama, family entertainment, and darker material has been an important part of his career.

Danny DeVito and Matilda

One of DeVito’s most recognizable projects for family audiences is Matilda, released in 1996.

The film was based on Roald Dahl’s popular children’s novel. DeVito directed the movie and also played Harry Wormwood, Matilda’s dishonest and dismissive father.

The project was especially significant because it brought together several aspects of DeVito’s career. He was not simply acting; he was also working behind the camera as director and producer.

Over the years, Matilda developed a lasting audience and became one of the films most closely associated with DeVito’s work for younger viewers.

Danny DeVito as a Director and Producer

Acting is only one part of Danny DeVito’s professional story. He has also worked extensively as a director and producer.

His directing credits include Throw Momma from the Train, The War of the Roses, Hoffa, Matilda, and Death to Smoochy.

The War of the Roses, released in 1989, reunited DeVito with Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. Hoffa, released in 1992, gave him another opportunity to work on a serious dramatic project.

Behind the scenes, DeVito also became involved in producing films through Jersey Films, a company he co-founded with Rhea Perlman. The company’s credits include important movies such as Pulp Fiction, Get Shorty, Man on the Moon, and Erin Brockovich.

This side of his career demonstrates why reducing DeVito’s legacy to acting alone would leave out a significant part of his contribution to the entertainment industry.

Danny DeVito’s Return to Television

In 2006, DeVito joined the cast of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, taking on the role of Frank Reynolds.

The series had already developed a following, but DeVito’s arrival added a recognizable veteran performer to the ensemble. His character became an important part of the show’s identity.

The role also introduced DeVito to viewers who may not have grown up watching Taxi or his earlier movies.

This helped extend his career into another generation. His ability to remain part of popular television while continuing to appear in films has been an important feature of his later career.

Danny DeVito’s Recent Work

Being 81 in 2026 does not mean DeVito has stepped away from entertainment. He continues to work as an actor, producer, and creative professional.

His recent work has included projects such as A Sudden Case of Christmas, while his production company has remained involved in newer projects. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s biography of DeVito also notes his involvement with his children Lucy DeVito and Jake DeVito through Jersey Films 2nd Avenue.

In 2026, AARP profiled DeVito as an 81-year-old actor, director, and producer and discussed his five-decade career and the importance of family and friendships in his life.

His continued activity is notable because his career has never been limited to one era of entertainment.

Danny DeVito’s Personal Life and Family

Danny DeVito was married to actress Rhea Perlman, whom he met in the 1970s. They have three children: Lucy, Grace, and Jacob.

DeVito and Perlman also worked together professionally, including their involvement with Jersey Films and the production of Matilda.

Their family has also developed connections to the entertainment industry. Lucy and Jake DeVito have worked in film and television, and DeVito has collaborated professionally with his children in more recent years.

Family has remained an important theme in discussions of DeVito’s life. In his 2026 AARP interview, he spoke about the importance of family and long-standing friendships to his personal and professional journey.

How Danny DeVito Has Maintained a Long Career

One reason DeVito has remained relevant for so long is his versatility.

He has worked in television, movies, theater, directing, producing, and voice acting. That range has allowed him to move between different forms of entertainment rather than depending on one particular type of role.

His distinctive personality has also helped him create characters that audiences remember. Louie De Palma from Taxi, the Penguin from Batman Returns, Harry Wormwood from Matilda, and Frank Reynolds from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia are very different characters, yet each became strongly associated with DeVito’s performance.

His career also demonstrates the value of adapting to changing audiences. He became famous during the era of network television, established himself in major Hollywood films, and later became part of a long-running modern comedy series.

That ability to move between generations has helped make his career unusually durable.

Danny DeVito Age: Career Milestones

Looking at DeVito’s age alongside his career provides an interesting picture of how long he has been working.

In the 1960s, he began developing his professional acting career through theater.

In the 1970s, his role in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest gave him important film exposure, while Taxi became his major television breakthrough.

In the 1980s, he became a major film presence through projects such as Romancing the Stone, Ruthless People, Throw Momma from the Train, and Twins.

In the 1990s, he expanded his work as a director and producer while appearing in films such as Batman Returns and Matilda.

In the 2000s, he became part of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, introducing his work to a newer television audience.

In the 2010s and 2020s, he continued acting and producing while appearing in both established and newer projects.

As of 2026, Danny DeVito is 81 years old, and his career remains active.

Danny DeVito’s Legacy in Hollywood

Danny DeVito’s legacy comes from more than his recognizable appearance or comic style. His career demonstrates how a performer can build a lasting place in entertainment by developing different skills over time.

He has been an actor, director, producer, and voice performer. He has worked in television sitcoms, major studio films, independent productions, family movies, and darker dramatic projects.

His recognition for Taxi established him as a television performer, while his movie career expanded his reputation internationally. His directing and producing work gave him influence beyond the roles he played in front of the camera.

The New Jersey Hall of Fame inducted DeVito in its 2010 Arts & Entertainment class, recognizing his contribution to entertainment and his long career in show business.

His career also illustrates how memorable character actors can become major stars in their own right. Rather than fitting into only one category, DeVito developed a style that audiences could immediately recognize while continuing to take on very different kinds of projects.

Frequently Asked Questions About Danny DeVito

How old is Danny DeVito?

Danny DeVito is 81 years old as of September 2026. He was born on November 17, 1944, and will turn 82 on November 17, 2026.

When was Danny DeVito born?

Danny DeVito was born on November 17, 1944, in Neptune, New Jersey. He grew up in the Asbury Park area.

What is Danny DeVito best known for?

DeVito is widely known for playing Louie De Palma on Taxi, the Penguin in Batman Returns, Harry Wormwood in Matilda, and Frank Reynolds on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

What was Danny DeVito’s breakthrough role?

His performance as Louie De Palma on Taxi was the role that brought him widespread television fame. He received both an Emmy and a Golden Globe for the performance.

Is Danny DeVito still acting?

Yes. DeVito continues to work in entertainment as an actor, director, and producer. Recent biographies and profiles from 2026 document his continued professional activity.

What movies has Danny DeVito directed?

His directing credits include Throw Momma from the Train, The War of the Roses, Hoffa, Matilda, and Death to Smoochy, among others.

Conclusion

The answer to Danny DeVito age is 81 years old as of September 2026. Born on November 17, 1944, DeVito has built an entertainment career spanning more than five decades.

From his early theater work and breakthrough on Taxi to memorable movie roles, directing projects, producing work, and his long-running appearance on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, his career has continued to evolve.

What makes his story particularly interesting is not simply how old he is, but how many different stages of entertainment he has experienced. He has remained active across generations while creating characters that continue to be recognized by audiences around the world.

At 81, Danny DeVito’s career stands as a remarkable example of longevity, versatility, and a lasting connection with audiences.