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5 Shocking Reasons Why Danny DeVito And Rhea Perlman Are Still Married After Separating Over A Decade Ago

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The enduring, yet unconventional, relationship between Hollywood legends Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman continues to be one of the most fascinating stories in show business. As of the current date in late 2025, the couple—who first met in 1971—remains legally married despite separating over a decade ago. Their unique arrangement defies the standard celebrity narrative, sparking endless curiosity about the reasons they have chosen to forego a formal divorce and maintain their bond as a "tight family."

This deep dive explores the latest updates on their status, outlines the full timeline of their decades-long romance, and reveals the core principles that have kept the *Taxi* and *Cheers* stars connected. Far from an amicable split, their separation was followed by a conscious, mutual decision to redefine their partnership, prioritizing their three children and a lifetime of shared history over legal finality.

Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman: Complete Biography and Professional Profile

The foundation of their relationship is rooted in a shared passion for acting and comedy, having met early in their respective careers. Their individual achievements are monumental, but their combined legacy as a Hollywood power couple, particularly through their production company, Jersey Films, is equally significant.

Danny DeVito (Daniel Michael DeVito Jr.)

  • Date of Birth: November 17, 1944 (Age 81 as of 2025)
  • Place of Birth: Neptune Township, New Jersey, U.S.
  • Height: 4 ft 10 in (1.47 m)
  • Key Roles: Louie De Palma in *Taxi* (Emmy Award winner), The Penguin in *Batman Returns*, Frank Reynolds in *It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia*, and The Narrator/Producer in *Matilda*.
  • Career Highlights: Academy Award nomination (Producer) for *Erin Brockovich*, Golden Globe Award winner, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Rhea Perlman (Rhea Jo Perlman)

  • Date of Birth: March 31, 1948 (Age 77 as of 2025)
  • Place of Birth: Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
  • Key Roles: Carla Tortelli in *Cheers* (Four-time Emmy Award winner), Zinnia Wormwood in *Matilda*, and Ruth Handler in *Barbie* (2023).
  • Career Highlights: Eleven-time Emmy Award nominee, with four wins for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for *Cheers*.

The DeVito-Perlman Family

  • First Meeting: 1971, after Perlman saw DeVito perform in the off-Broadway play *The Shrinking Bride*.
  • Marriage Date: January 28, 1982
  • Separations: First in October 2012 (reconciled in March 2013); second, and final, separation around 2017.
  • Children: Lucy DeVito (b. 1983), Grace DeVito (b. 1985), and Jake DeVito (b. 1987). All three children have followed their parents into the entertainment industry.

The Timeline of an Unconventional Celebrity Romance

The history of Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman is a testament to the idea that love and partnership can evolve outside of traditional constraints. Their relationship spans over five decades, beginning with a whirlwind connection that saw them move in together just two weeks after meeting in 1971.

For 30 years, they were one of Hollywood’s most stable and beloved couples, often working together on projects like the 1996 family classic *Matilda*, where DeVito directed and starred as Harry Wormwood, and Perlman played his wife, Zinnia Wormwood. Their creative and personal lives were deeply intertwined, sharing the joys of raising their three children.

The first public crack in their seemingly perfect façade came in October 2012 when they announced their separation. While they briefly reconciled in 2013, the pressures of their busy lives and the natural evolution of their partnership led to a second, more definitive separation around 2017.

However, the key difference in their story is the lack of a divorce filing. Despite living apart for over a decade, they have consistently maintained that they are still legally married and have no intention of changing that status. This unique, enduring connection is what makes their relationship a constant topic of discussion and curiosity.

The 5 Surprising Pillars of Their 'Separated But Married' Status

The world often assumes a celebrity separation must end in a dramatic, legal battle. DeVito and Perlman have proven this assumption wrong. Their decision to remain legally married is built on several deeply personal and practical reasons, which they have shared in various interviews, including Perlman's appearance on the *Wiser Than Me* podcast and DeVito's recent updates to Fox News Digital.

1. The Unbreakable Family Unit

For both Danny and Rhea, the primary motivation is their family. They view themselves as a single, cohesive unit, regardless of their romantic status. DeVito has stated that they are "very much still a family" and "a tight family." They regularly attend family gatherings, celebrate holidays, and support their children's careers together. Lucy, Grace, and Jake DeVito are all in the entertainment industry, making their parents' continued collaboration on family matters a practical necessity and a source of comfort.

2. The Absence of a Financial Need for Divorce

As two highly successful, independently wealthy actors and producers, the financial incentive for a complex, high-profile divorce is minimal. They have built a life and a production empire together, and a legal separation would likely only serve to complicate their shared assets and business interests unnecessarily. By remaining married, they simplify financial and estate planning matters.

3. A Deep, Enduring Love and Affection

Rhea Perlman has clarified that while the romantic element of their relationship changed, the love never disappeared. "I don't know why it's difficult for other people, but Danny and I have always loved each other," she told Andy Cohen. Their bond is described as a deep, platonic, and familial connection that they simply don't want to sever with a legal document. They participate in conversation daily and maintain a close friendship.

4. The Comfort of Their Current Living Arrangement

The "separated but married" status is simply what works best for their current lifestyle. They live in close proximity in Malibu, California, allowing them to maintain a strong presence in each other's lives and the lives of their children and grandchildren without the pressures of cohabitation. DeVito has noted that "living apart in their current setup has been working pretty good."

5. The Principle: Why Bother with the Legal Hassle?

In the end, their decision boils down to a pragmatic question: why go through the emotional and legal turmoil of a divorce when the current, unconventional arrangement serves all their needs? They have established a new normal that respects their history, their children, and their enduring friendship. As Perlman said during a 2023 interview on the *Wiser Than Me* podcast, they are "still married."

Danny and Rhea's Lasting Legacy and Current Work

Despite the unique nature of their personal lives, both Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman continue to be forces in Hollywood. DeVito is still a fan-favorite on *It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia*, a role that has introduced him to a new generation of fans. His production company, Jersey Films, remains active, often collaborating with his children.

Rhea Perlman enjoyed a massive career resurgence with her acclaimed role in the 2023 blockbuster *Barbie*, proving her enduring talent and relevance. She has also been open about her life on various talk shows, providing rare and candid insights into her partnership with DeVito, which has only amplified the public's fascination with their story.

Their story offers a powerful lesson: relationships don't have to follow a prescribed path. For Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman, being separated hasn't meant being apart. It has simply meant redefining what it means to be partners, friends, and, above all, family. Their "unconventional marriage" is a modern Hollywood fairy tale, proving that some bonds are truly unbreakable.

danny devito and rhea perlman
danny devito and rhea perlman

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