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10 Shocking Facts About Young Danny DeVito: From Hairdresser To Hollywood Icon

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Few actors possess the instant recognition and enduring comedic genius of Danny DeVito, but the story of his youth is far more surprising than his on-screen persona. As of late December 2025, the legendary actor and filmmaker continues to captivate audiences, yet many fans are unaware of the unexpected path he took to Hollywood stardom, a journey that began not on a stage, but in a beauty salon.

From his early life in New Jersey to his pivotal, pre-fame years in New York City, the young Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. overcame significant personal and professional hurdles, turning what many saw as limitations—particularly his diminutive stature—into his greatest comedic and dramatic assets. This is a deep dive into the formative years and little-known facts about the man who would become Louie De Palma, The Penguin, and Frank Reynolds.

Danny DeVito: Full Biography & Profile (The Early Years)

Daniel Michael DeVito Jr.'s early life laid the foundation for his distinctive career, marked by ambition, a surprising detour into cosmetology, and a relentless pursuit of acting that began in the late 1960s.

  • Full Name: Daniel Michael DeVito Jr.
  • Date of Birth: November 17, 1944
  • Place of Birth: Neptune Township, New Jersey, U.S.
  • Height: 4 feet, 10 inches (147 cm)
  • Medical Condition: Fairbank's disease (Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia), a rare genetic disorder affecting bone growth, is the cause of his short stature.
  • Family: Son of Daniel DeVito Sr. and Julia DeVito, and the youngest of five children.
  • Education: Graduated from Oratory Preparatory School in 1962. He later attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA) in New York City.
  • First Professional Role (On-Screen): *Dreams of Glass* (1970).
  • Breakthrough Role: Louie De Palma in the TV series *Taxi* (1978–1983).
  • Spouse: Rhea Perlman (married 1982; separated 2012, 2017).

The Unexpected Pivot: From Cosmetology to 'Cuckoo's Nest'

The path of the young Danny DeVito was anything but conventional, especially for a future Hollywood star. His ambition was initially channeled into a completely different field, a detail that provides a fascinating look at his resourcefulness and willingness to embrace new opportunities.

1. He Started as a Hairdresser and Beautician

After graduating from high school in 1962, DeVito did not see acting as a viable career option. Instead, he went to work at his sister’s beauty salon in New Jersey, where he reportedly enjoyed the female attention. His initial goal was to become a professional beautician and makeup artist. This pre-fame job is a major entity in his early biography.

2. Acting Was a Mandatory Requirement for Makeup School

DeVito's true entry into acting was an accident of bureaucracy. To pursue advanced makeup training, he applied to the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA) in New York City. The catch? The school required all applicants to perform a monologue for entry, regardless of their intended major. This forced requirement led him to discover a passion and talent for performance that would redefine his life.

3. The Role That Launched His Dramatic Career Was Off-Broadway

Before his television breakthrough as Louie De Palma on *Taxi*, DeVito landed a pivotal role that cemented his dramatic chops: the mental patient Martini in the 1971 Off-Broadway stage production of Ken Kesey's novel, *One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest*. This role was crucial, as he later reprised it for the 1975 Oscar-winning film adaptation, which was co-produced by Michael Douglas, a friend and future collaborator.

4. He Lived with Michael Douglas in New York

During his time at the AADA, the young DeVito became friends with Michael Douglas, who was a few years his senior. The two later shared an apartment in New York City, a friendship that would prove instrumental when Douglas was producing the film version of *One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest*. This connection is a key entity in the narrative of his rise to fame.

The Fairbank's Disease Factor and Career Transformation

The most defining physical trait of Danny DeVito, his short stature, is not merely a quirk but the result of a rare medical condition. This fact is central to understanding his early struggles and how he ultimately transformed a personal challenge into a professional superpower.

5. His Height is Due to a Rare Bone Disorder

DeVito stands at 4 feet, 10 inches (147 cm) due to Fairbank's disease, formally known as Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia (MED). This genetic disorder affects the growth of the ends of the long bones, leading to a shorter-than-average height. He has spoken openly about longing to be taller as a youth, recalling that he "couldn't slow-dance with the girls" he wanted to.

6. He Turned a Personal Struggle into a Professional Asset

Instead of letting his height limit him, DeVito embraced it, allowing his unique physical presence to define his character acting. His ability to play intense, often volatile, or comically grotesque characters—from the tyrannical dispatcher Louie De Palma to the tragic villain The Penguin—is intrinsically tied to his stature, which he uses to amplify his energetic and raspy-voiced performances.

7. The Role of Louie De Palma Was Initially a Minor Part

When DeVito auditioned for the sitcom *Taxi* in the late 1970s, the role of Louie De Palma—the abusive, cage-dwelling dispatcher—was intended to be a minor, recurring part. However, DeVito's magnetic, high-energy performance instantly elevated the character, making him a central figure in the show and earning him a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award. This breakthrough role, which he landed in his mid-30s, launched his mainstream career.

8. He Was Already Married to His Future Wife Before *Taxi*

DeVito met his future wife, actress Rhea Perlman, in 1971 when she saw him in the Off-Broadway production of *The Man with the Flower in His Mouth*. They began living together just two weeks later and were in a relationship for over a decade before marrying in 1982, well into the run of *Taxi*. Their partnership, both personal and professional, is a significant entity in his life story.

More Entities & LSI Keywords from Young DeVito's Career

The depth of Danny DeVito's early career provides numerous entities that demonstrate his topical authority in both acting and filmmaking:

  • First Feature Film: *Dreams of Glass* (1970).
  • Early Stage Work: *The Man with the Flower in His Mouth* (1969).
  • The AADA Monologue: The required performance that accidentally launched his acting career.
  • The Jersey Kid: A popular LSI term referencing his upbringing in Neptune City, New Jersey.
  • Off-Broadway Production: The stage version of *One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest* (1971).
  • The Douglas-DeVito Connection: The lifelong friendship and collaboration with Michael Douglas.
  • Early 1970s New York: The setting for his formative years as an aspiring actor.
  • Character Actor: The type of role he was initially cast in due to his unique look and voice.
  • Louie De Palma's Cage: The iconic setting for his *Taxi* character.
  • Matilda (1996): A later, but highly relevant, entity where he showcased his talent as both an actor and director, solidifying his role as a family-friendly filmmaker after his early edgy roles.
  • The Lorax (2012): Another later entity, demonstrating his enduring voice acting career.
  • It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: His late-career resurgence as Frank Reynolds.
  • The War of the Roses (1989): A key directing entity.
  • Twins (1988): A major film comedy entity with Arnold Schwarzenegger.
  • Batman Returns (1992): His iconic role as The Penguin.
  • Terms of Endearment (1983): A dramatic film entity that earned him critical acclaim.
danny devito young
danny devito young

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