Danny DeVito as Louie in Taxi.

Danny DeVito (born November 17, 1944) is an American actor, director and producer.

Born Daniel Michael DeVito in Neptune, New Jersey, DeVito became famous in the United States for his portrayal of "Louie De Palma" on the popular ABC and NBC TV series, Taxi (1978–1983). Because this sitcom was not widely distributed abroad, he is known primarily for his movie work in most other countries.

He married actress Rhea Perlman on January 28, 1982. The couple met while both were working on Taxi. They have three children, Lucy Chet DeVito (born March 1983), Grace Fan DeVito (born March 1985) and Jake Daniel DeVito (born October 1987).

He voiced the animated character Herb Powell on two episodes of The Simpsons.

Although he came to be thought of as a predictable light-comedy actor, DeVito fought against this, bringing highly respected performances in such movies as L.A. Confidential (1997), The Big Kahuna (1999) and Heist (2001).

In 1999, Devito produced and co-starred in Man On The Moon, a movie about the unusual life of his former Taxi co-star, Andy Kaufman.

In addition to acting, DeVito has become a major film and television producer. Through his production company, Jersey Films, he has produced many movies, including Gattaca, Get Shorty, Erin Brockovich, and Garden State.

Selected filmography

• One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) ... Martini
• Throw Momma from the Train (1987) ... Owen Lift
• Tin Men (1987) ... Ernest Tilley
• Twins (1988) ... Vincent Benedict
• Batman Returns (1992) ... The Penguin
• Hoffa (1992) (producer)
• Reality Bites (1994) (producer)
• Pulp Fiction (1994) (executive producer)
• Renaissance Man (1994) ... Bill Rago
• Get Shorty (1995) ... Martin Weir
• Mars Attacks! (1996) ... Rude Gambler
• Matilda (1996) (director) ... Harry Wormwood
• L.A. Confidential (1997) ... Sid Hudgens
• Man On The Moon (1999) (producer) ... George Shapiro
• The Virgin Suicides (1999) ... Dr Hornicker
• Erin Brockovich (2000) (producer)
• Screwed (2000) ... Grover Cleaver
• Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002) ... Himself
• Big Fish The Ringmaster

External link