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Danny De Vito - Biography

Actor, director. Born on November 17, 1944, in Neptune, New Jersey, educated at Oratory Prep School. Diminutive (5') character star of the American stage, TV, and films. After training at the Wilfred Academy of Hair and Beauty Culture, he began his working life at 18 as a hairdresser at his sister's salon. Determined to act, he attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, then made his New York stage debuts in 1969 and his first film appearance the following year. Starting in bits and walk-ons, his career picked up momentum after he repeated his stage role in the screen version of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975).

He gradually evolved into a popular comic screen personality, especially in the wake of his success in the role of Louie De Palma in the hit TV series "Taxi" (1978-1983), for which he won an Emmy as Best Supporting Actor in 1981. At his best in hypertense, frenzied, sly characterizations. In the late 80's, he turned to directing. His black comedy The War of the Roses (1989) was a commercial and critical success, and made him a sought-after director in Hollywood. He married "Cheers" actress Rhea Perlman.

After a memorable turn in Ruthless People, his manic, frantic roles got bigger, as did his appetite for control. He was directing by 1987's Throw Momma From the Train, then waddling as the Penguin in Batman Returns, organizing labor in Hoffa, and getting irradiated by aliens in Mars Attacks! Today, Mr. Danny is one of the most powerful players in Hollywood. He plans to team with filmmaker Milos Forman to develop a bio-pic about the late comedian Andy Kaufman, DeVito's co-star on Taxi. Married forever to Cheers' pint-sized barmaid Rhea Perlman, DeVito and his wife have campaigned quietly for years to promote children's rights.