Danny DeVito Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Danny DeVito’s Net Worth and Salary?

With a net worth of $80 million, Danny DeVito is a prestigious American actor, comedian, film director, and producer. He first attracted attention through his role as taxi dispatcher Louie De Palma in the television series “Taxi,” a performance that earned him a Golden Globe and an Emmy. Following that, he soared as a prominent film star in projects such as “Throw Momma from the Train,” “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “Terms of Endearment,” “Romancing the Stone,” “Twins,” “Batman Returns,” “Get Shorty,” and “L.A. Confidential.” Since 2006, he has also been a cast member of the FX/FXX comedy series “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”

Early Life

Born Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. on November 17, 1944, in Neptune Township, New Jersey, he deals with multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (Fairbank’s disease), a rare genetic disorder impacting bone growth, which contributes to his height of 4 feet, 10 inches. Growing up in Asbury Park, New Jersey, he was raised in a Catholic household and has two older sisters. He is of Italian descent.

Career Beginnings

DeVito attended a boarding school, completing his studies at Oratory Preparatory School in Summit, New Jersey, in 1962. He began his acting journey there, participating in school performances of “St. Francis of Assisi” and “The Billion Dollar Saint.” After high school, he took a job at his sister’s salon, a move he considered effective in meeting girls. After 18 months, he decided to transition into the cosmetics field for better income. While on the lookout for a professional makeup instructor, he discovered the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, leading him to apply. Part of his application required him to perform a monologue, which garnered positive feedback and prompted him to focus on acting instead, graduating from the academy in 1966.

During his early acting career, DeVito collaborated with the Colonnades Theater Lab at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut, while also appearing in productions from the Westbeth Playwrights Feminist Collective.

Acting Career

Transitioning from theater to screen, DeVito took on a role in the 1975 film “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” His journey began with an off-Broadway production of the story in 1971, which secured him a place in the film adaptation. The 1975 movie achieved immense success, capturing five major Academy Awards in 1976 (Best Picture, Actor, Actress, Director, and Screenplay). This role propelled DeVito into fame, and he solidified his standing in the industry with his portrayal of Louie De Palma on the television series “Taxi” (1978–1983). His performance earned him both a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1981. Following the conclusion of “Taxi,” he returned to film, featuring in titles such as “Terms of Endearment” (1983), “Romancing the Stone” (1984), “Ruthless People” (1986), “Twins” (1988) alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger, “Other People’s Money” (1991), and Tim Burton’s “Batman Returns” (1992).

Danny returned

DeVito made his transition to television in 2006 by joining the cast of the popular FX sitcom “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” In the latter part of his career, he has worked on films such as “Solitary Man” (2009), featuring Susan Sarandon and his long-time friend Michael Douglas, “When in Rome” (2010) alongside Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel, and Tim Burton’s live-action adaptation of “Dumbo” released in 2019.

While DeVito is predominantly recognized as a comic actor, he has also taken on various dramatic roles throughout his career. These include performances in “The Rainmaker” (1997), “Jack the Bear” (1993), “L.A. Confidential” (1997), “The Big Kahuna” (1999), and “Heist” (2001). Furthermore, he boasts an impressive array of voiceover projects, having lent his voice to characters in “My Little Pony: The Movie” (1986), “Hercules” (1997), “Space Jam” (1996), “The Lorax” (2012), and even in several episodes of “The Simpsons” as Herb Powell. Additionally, he has featured in commercials for QuickBooks and m&m’s, and portrayed a fictionalized version of himself in One Direction’s “Steal My Girl” music video.

DeVito received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play in 2017 for his role in the Broadway revival of “The Price.” He voiced Dorgle in “Smallfoot” (2018), and in 2019, he plays Eddie Gilpin in “Jumanji: The Next Level.” Most recently, in 2023, he portrayed Bruce in “Haunted Mansion” and voiced Merv Stampington in an episode titled “Long Goodbye” in “Big City Greens.”

In honor of his contributions to television, DeVito was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011.

Production Ventures and Directing

In 1984, DeVito made his directorial debut with “The Ratings Game,” subsequently directing a range of films such as “Throw Momma from the Train” (1987), “The War of the Roses” (1989), “Hoffa” (1992), “Death to Smoochy” (2002), and “Duplex” (2003). He has also directed eight short films between 1973 and 2016.

Together with partner Michael Shamberg, he founded the production company Jersey Films in 1991, and Stacey Sher later joined them as an equal partner. The company has produced numerous films, including “Man on the Moon” (1999), “Pulp Fiction” (1994), “Garden State” (2004), and “Freedom Writers” (2007). Additionally, they were the driving force behind the Comedy Central series “Reno 911!” (2003-2009). DeVito co-produced, directed, and starred in “Matilda” (1996), and for “Erin Brockovich” (2000), he, Shamberg, and Sher received an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.

Personal Life

Danny DeVito’s height of 4 feet 10 is due to Fairbank’s disease (multiple epiphyseal dysplasia), a rare genetic disorder affecting bone growth.

DeVito encountered actress Rhea Perlman on January 17, 1971, during a performance of “The Shrinking Bride,” in which they both starred. Just two weeks later, they moved in together and eventually married on January 28, 1982. They are parents to three children, and after three decades of marriage,

They reconciled in March 2013 after initially separating in October 2012. In March 2017, they parted ways amicably for a second time; however, they have both expressed no intent to pursue a divorce.

Throughout their careers, DeVito and Perlman have collaborated on numerous projects, including the television series “Taxi” and the movie “Matilda.”

In a visit to his former neighborhood in 2023, Danny made a generous donation of $500,000 to the Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

Real Estate

Danny and Rhea resided for many years in a 14,579-square-foot residence located in Beverly Hills, California. They bought the property in 1994 and ultimately sold it in April 2015 for $24 million, after having initially listed it off-market for over $30 million a few years before.

They still co-own a house situated in the Point Dume area of Malibu.

In 2022, the duo put their Mt. Washington retreat in Los Angeles on the market for $1.55 million.