Danny DeVito, celebrating his 80th birthday, rose to fame from humble beginnings as a cosmetician in New Jersey. After studying makeup artistry in New York, he discovered his comedic talent and secured a pivotal role in ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.’ His career surged with roles in ‘Taxi,’ ‘Twins,’ and as the Penguin in ‘Batman Returns.’ DeVito’s unique stature became an asset, distinguishing him in Hollywood, where he also thrived as a director and producer.
As Danny DeVito celebrates his milestone 80th birthday, few could have predicted that he would become one of Hollywood’s most beloved comedians. His journey to stardom began long before his breakout role in Miloš Forman’s psychological drama ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ in 1975. Prior to this, DeVito spent several years working as a cosmetician at his sister’s beauty salon in New Jersey.
From Cosmetician to Actor: A Surprising Transition
In 1966, DeVito made the bold move to New York City to study makeup artistry at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. At that time, he had no intention of becoming an actor, despite his natural ability to charm and amuse clients at the beauty salon.
Years later, he shared with the ‘New York Post’ that the dynamic atmosphere at the academy inspired him to enroll in an acting class. His innate comedic talent quickly shone through, earning him laughter and applause from classmates, leading him to discover his passion for acting.
A Fortunate Roommate: Michael Douglas
Living with fellow acting student Michael Douglas proved to be a serendipitous turn of events. Years later, when Douglas produced ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’, he remembered DeVito’s quirky personality and cast him as Martini, an eccentric psychiatric patient, alongside Hollywood icon Jack Nicholson.
This role catapulted DeVito into the spotlight, and he soon gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Louie De Palma in the beloved TV series ‘Taxi’ (1978-1983). The early 1980s marked the beginning of his ascent in Hollywood with notable performances in films such as ‘Romancing the Stone’ (1984) and ‘The War of the Roses’ (1989).
Another significant achievement during this period was starring in the comedy ‘Twins’ (1988), where he played a genetically engineered brother opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Defining Role as the Penguin in ‘Batman Returns’
Tim Burton cast DeVito as the notorious Penguin in the 1992 film ‘Batman Returns’, a role that solidified his status as a cinematic icon. Throughout his illustrious career, DeVito has maintained a close collaboration with Burton, featuring in notable films such as ‘Mars Attacks!’ (1996), ‘Big Fish’ (2003), and the upcoming ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ (2024).
In addition to acting, DeVito emerged as a successful director in the early 1980s, helming quirky comedies like ‘Throw Momma from the Train!’ (1987) and ‘The War of the Roses’ (1989). As a producer, he also contributed to acclaimed projects such as the Oscar-nominated ‘Erin Brockovich’ (2000) and the stoner comedy ‘So High’ (2001).
Embracing Uniqueness: The Key to His Success
Today, as Danny DeVito reflects on his incredible journey at 80, he remains a shining star in Hollywood. He has often mentioned that his height, standing at approximately 1.5 meters, has not impeded his career; rather, it has set him apart.
In a conversation with ‘Cigar Aficionado’, he remarked, “When I began my acting career, I realized my size was my unique asset. In auditions, while there were many others vying for the same role, I knew I stood out, and perhaps that’s exactly what the director sought.”