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The Untold Story Of Young Danny DeVito: 7 Shocking Facts Before He Became Louie DePalma

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Few actors possess the instant, recognizable charisma of Danny DeVito. Known globally today for his iconic roles as the abrasive taxi dispatcher Louie DePalma, the criminal mastermind Penguin, and the unforgettable Frank Reynolds, his career spans over five decades of film and television brilliance. Yet, the story of the young Danny DeVito—the ambitious, 4’10” New Jersey native battling his way through the competitive New York theater scene—is a fascinating, often-overlooked chapter that sets the stage for his eventual stardom.

As of December 2025, retrospectives and new interviews continue to highlight how his unique personality and early, unconventional choices paved the way for a legendary career. From a surprising initial career path to a whirlwind romance that began backstage, the formative years of Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. are a testament to seizing opportunity and proving that big talent comes in all packages. This deep dive uncovers the pivotal moments and lesser-known facts that defined the man before he became a household name.

Danny DeVito: A Biographical Snapshot of His Formative Years

To truly appreciate the journey of the young Danny DeVito, one must first understand the foundational details of his early life and career trajectory.

  • Full Name: Daniel Michael DeVito Jr.
  • Date of Birth: November 17, 1944
  • Place of Birth: Neptune Township, New Jersey, U.S.
  • Parents: Daniel DeVito Sr. and Julia DeVito (née Moccello)
  • High School: Oratory Prep High School (Summit, New Jersey)
  • Acting School: American Academy of Dramatic Arts (New York City), graduated 1966
  • First Professional Role (Stage): The Man with the Flower in His Mouth (Off-Broadway, 1969)
  • First Professional Role (Film): Dreams of Glass (1970)
  • Breakthrough Role: Martini in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
  • Defining TV Role: Louie DePalma in Taxi (1978–1983)

1. He Started His Career as a Hairdresser

It’s a little-known fact that before the bright lights of Hollywood, young Danny DeVito was on a completely different career path: cosmetology.

His initial ambition was not to act, but to work in a beauty salon. One of his older sisters, Angela, owned a beauty parlor, and she needed help. To master the trade, DeVito enrolled in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA) in New York City, not for acting classes, but to study cosmetology.

While there, he realized his true calling lay on the stage. The exposure to the vibrant world of theater students and the sheer energy of New York’s creative scene quickly pulled him away from cutting hair and toward the footlights. He graduated from the AADA in 1966, having successfully pivoted from a future as a stylist to a budding actor.

2. His Height is Due to a Rare Medical Condition

DeVito's distinctive 4’10” stature has always been a key part of his on-screen persona, but it is not due to common forms of dwarfism.

The actor has been open about his condition, which is a rare growth disorder called multiple epiphyseal dysplasia, also known as Fairbank's disease. This condition affects the growth plates of the bones, leading to a shorter stature and often joint issues.

In his younger years, navigating the entertainment industry with this condition presented unique challenges, but DeVito consistently turned his physical appearance into an advantage, embracing roles that utilized his powerful, energetic presence and raspy voice to comedic and dramatic effect. His success is a powerful example of how he refused to let a physical limitation define his potential.

3. He Met Rhea Perlman and Moved In Two Weeks Later

The romantic life of the young actor was as fast-paced as his career. DeVito met his future wife, actress Rhea Perlman, in 1971, a pivotal year in his burgeoning Off-Broadway career.

Perlman, who would later become famous as Carla Tortelli on Cheers, went to see an Off-Broadway play called The Shrinking Bride because a friend was in the performance. DeVito was also in the show, and Perlman was immediately captivated by him. The connection was instantaneous and intense: the two moved in together just two weeks after meeting. This rapid-fire romance became one of Hollywood’s most enduring partnerships, with the couple marrying in 1982 and having three children together.

4. His True Breakthrough Was on Stage, Not Screen

While most people cite the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest as his big break, DeVito had an extensive and critical stage career in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

After graduating from AADA, he performed consistently in the New York theatre scene. He made his professional debut in the 1969 Off-Broadway production of Luigi Pirandello’s The Man with the Flower in His Mouth. His dedication to the stage led him to the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut, where he further honed his craft.

This deep grounding in theatre is what ultimately led to his first major film role. He had previously starred in a stage version of Ken Kesey’s novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, playing the character Martini. When Michael Douglas and Saul Zaentz produced the film adaptation in 1975, DeVito was the only actor from the original Off-Broadway production cast in the movie, reprising his role alongside major stars like Jack Nicholson.

5. The Unconventional Audition That Landed Him 'Taxi'

Following the success of Cuckoo's Nest, DeVito’s next major role was the one that truly cemented his stardom: Louie DePalma, the tyrannical, insult-hurling cab dispatcher on the sitcom Taxi (1978–1983).

His audition for the role is legendary and perfectly encapsulates the young actor's bold, no-holds-barred personality. Instead of a polite reading, DeVito walked into the audition room, threw the script on the table, and said, "What is this shit?" This aggressive, anti-establishment attitude was exactly the energy the producers were looking for to embody the character of Louie DePalma. His unconventional approach immediately won them over, leading to the role that would earn him a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award.

6. He Was a Prolific Actor and Director in the 1980s

While his younger years were defined by *Taxi*, the 1980s saw DeVito rapidly transition into a major film star and filmmaker, establishing his topical authority across multiple genres.

The decade was a flurry of activity, showcasing his range in dark comedies and dramas. Key early film roles that built his reputation include:

  • Terms of Endearment (1983)
  • Romancing the Stone (1984) and its sequel, The Jewel of the Nile (1985)
  • Ruthless People (1986)
  • Throw Momma from the Train (1987)
  • Twins (1988) alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger
This period also marked the beginning of his directorial career with Throw Momma from the Train, demonstrating his ambition to be more than just a character actor.

7. The Legacy of Young DeVito's Ambition: Jersey Films

The entrepreneurial spirit of the young Danny DeVito, which began with his foray into a beauty salon and then an independent stage career, culminated in the founding of his production company, Jersey Films.

Established with his then-wife Rhea Perlman, the company was a direct reflection of his early-career desire to control his own creative output. Jersey Films would go on to produce some of the most influential and critically acclaimed films of the 1990s, including Quentin Tarantino’s masterpiece Pulp Fiction (1994), Get Shorty (1995), and DeVito’s own directorial effort, Matilda (1996), which also starred Perlman. This venture proved that the scrappy, determined young actor from New Jersey had successfully transitioned into a Hollywood power player, using the grit and ambition honed in his early days to shape modern cinema.

young danny devito
young danny devito

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