Danny DeVito made a name for himself with his star-making portrayal of Louie De Palma in the beloved sitcom “Taxi,” earning him both an Emmy and Golden Globe.
He rose to fame as an actor with a record-setting string of iconic films, from “Throw Momma From the Train” and “One Flew Over”, “The Cuckoo’s Nest”, “Romancing the Stone” and “Terms Of Endearment”.
Danny DeVito Net Worth
Danny DeVito has an estimated net worth of $80 million.
Overview Of Jay Cutler
Early Life
On November 17, 1944, Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. was born in Neptune Township, New Jersey. He stands at slightly below average height due to an uncommon genetic ailment, Fairbank’s disease. This condition directly affects bone growth, resulting in his small stature.
Growing up in Asbury Park, NJ with Italian heritage and a Catholic background, DeVito was steeped in tradition – alongside his two sisters.
Career
At fourteen, he had already earned a certificate from the prestigious Oratory Preparatory School in New Jersey. He also didn’t shy away from taking on challenging roles for his school plays, starring as ‘The Billion Dollar Saint’ and ‘St. Francis of Assisi’.
After high school, he began working at his sister’s salon in search of connections and love. After 18 months, however, something else had taken hold – the desire to pursue a more profitable profession within cosmetics that eventually led him away from the hair-styling world.
He thus filled out an entry to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts that required him to perform a monologue. He instantly changed his field of study to acting after obtaining favorable feedback for his monologue, and the academy granted him a diploma in 1966.
In his early playing career, DeVito appeared with the Colonnades Theater Lab at the Waterford, Connecticut-based Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. The Westbeth Playwrights Feminist Collective produced plays in which he also had a part.
Acting Career
After a successful career in theater, DeVito transitioned to film in 1975 with the release of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” To get the part in the movie, he first appeared in an off-Broadway version of the book in 1971.
Danny DeVito rose to stardom after playing Louie De Palma in the beloved 1978-83 series “Taxi”. His performance was so outstanding, he won a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy for Best Supporting Actor. He achieved even more success when his 1975 movie adaptation became of one of Academy’s highest honors with five major Awards (Best Picture, Actor, Actress Director & Screenplay).
Following the conclusion of “Taxi,” DeVito had a comeback in the movies, making appearances in “Terms of Endearment,” “Romancing the Stone,” “Ruthless People,” “Twins” (1988), “Other People’s Money” (1991), and Tim Burton’s “Batman Returns” (1992).
When he joined the cast of the hugely successful FX sitcom “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” he made a comeback to television in 2006. When in Rome (2010) with Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel, “Solitary Man” (2009) with Susan Sarandon and longtime friend Michael Douglas, and Tim Burton’s 2019 live-action “Dumbo” are some of the movies he has worked on in the latter half of his career.
DeVito is regarded as mostly a humorous actor, generally speaking. The Rainmaker (1997), Jack the Bear (1993), L.A. Confidential (1997), The Big Kahuna (1999), and Heist (2001) are just a few of the dramatic parts he has played throughout the years (2001).
Additionally, he has a long resume of voiceover jobs under his belt. He has provided voices for a variety of characters, including Hercules (1997), Space Jam (1996), The Lorax (2012), My Little Pony: The Movie (1986), and Herb Powell in several episodes of The Simpsons.
Production And Directing
With the release of “The Ratings Game” in 1984, DeVito made his directing debut. He continued to make movies, including “Duplex,” “Throw Momma from the Train,” “The War of the Roses,” “Hoffa,” “Death to Smoochy,” and “The War of the Roses” (1989). (2003). Between 1973 and 2016, he also produced eight distinct short films.
In 1991, DeVito and cofounder Michael Shamberg established Jersey Films. Stacey Sher joined them shortly after as an equal partner. Films made by the firm include “Man on the Moon” (1999), “Pulp Fiction” (1994), “Garden State” (2004), and “Freedom Writers,” among others (2007).
Additionally, “Reno 911!” on Comedy Central was produced by this business (2003-2009). In 1991, he established Jersey Films. The movies “Matilda” (1996), in which DeVito co-produced, directed, and starred, and “Erin Brockovich” (2000), for which DeVito, Shamberg, and Sher were nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture, are some of his other well-known productions.
Private Life
On a fateful night in early 1971, Rhea Perlman and Danny DeVito’s destinies collided while watching friends perform on stage. This initial meeting sparked something special between them – two weeks later they were living together! What started as an evening at the theatre grew into one of Hollywood’s most celebrated partnerships.
The couple got married on January 28, 1982. Together, they have three children. After 30 years of marriage, they divorced in October 2012; nevertheless, in March 2013, they remarried.
After years of collaboration on projects like “Taxi” and the beloved movie “Matilda,” Danny DeVito & Rhea Perlman decided to part ways amicably in March 2017, despite their reservations.
Real Estate
In Beverly Hills, California, Danny and Rhea resided in a 14,579-square-foot home for many years. They bought the house in 1994, listed it off-market for more than $30 million a few years later, and sold it for $24 million in April 2015.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Danny Devito’s, Closest Pal?
Since the 1960s, when both Michael Douglas and Danny DeVito were aspiring performers in New York, the two have been close friends. They have collaborated on several well-known movies throughout the years, including Romancing the Stone, War of the Roses, and Jewel of the Nile.
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Estimated Income Breakdown
How the fortune is built. Figures are independent editorial estimates aggregated from the public record.
| Income source | Estimated lifetime value |
|---|---|
| Film salaries + residuals | $3.5M |
| TV residuals + appearances | $2.5M |
| Business ventures + equity | $1.0M |
| Real estate + rental | $1.0M |
| Estimated total | $8.0M |
As of 2026. Aggregates a six-decade film catalog (residuals + backend), It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Jersey Films production legacy (Pulp Fiction, Erin Brockovich) + real estate. Methodology · Corrections.
Known Career Earnings
Documented project-by-project earnings for Danny DeVito, sorted by year. Figures are editorial estimates compiled from reported salaries, backend deals and public disclosures. Where only a salary is known, the entry reflects the upfront fee; backend, residuals and bonus payments are separated where reported.
| Year | Project | Type | Note | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Taxi (Louie De Palma) | contract | Won an Emmy + Golden Globe as Louie De Palma on Taxi (1978-1983) — his breakout TV role | $500K |
| 1984 | Romancing the Stone + film | contract | Film breakout (Romancing the Stone, Terms of Endearment) established him as a movie star | $1.5M |
| 1988 | Twins + directing | backend | Twins (with Schwarzenegger) was a major hit on a famous gross-points deal; he also directed (Throw Momma from the Train) | $4.0M |
| 1992 | Batman Returns + Jersey Films | contract | Played the Penguin in Batman Returns + co-founded Jersey Films production company | $5.0M |
| 1994 | Pulp Fiction (producer) | business | Jersey Films produced Pulp Fiction (a landmark hit) + Get Shorty (in which he also starred) | $6.0M |
| 1996 | Matilda (director + star) | contract | Directed + starred in Matilda; Jersey Films continued producing hits (Erin Brockovich, 2000) | $5.0M |
| 2002 | Film + production | business | Annualized income — acting, Jersey Films producing + voice work | $5.0M |
| 2006 | It's Always Sunny (Frank Reynolds) | contract | Joined It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia — the long-running sitcom became a durable income source | $4.0M |
| 2012 | Film + TV + voice | business | Annualized income — It's Always Sunny, films, voice work (The Lorax) + production | $5.0M |
| 2019 | Dumbo + Broadway | contract | Tim Burton's Dumbo + a Tony-nominated Broadway run (The Price); It's Always Sunny continued | $6.0M |
| 2023 | Acting + production + residuals | business | Annualized income — It's Always Sunny, film/TV roles, six-decade residuals + real estate | $7.0M |
| 2026 | Film/TV + ventures | business | Annualized income — It's Always Sunny, acting, production legacy + real estate | $7.0M |
Reported figures only — projects without public salary disclosure are omitted. See our Methodology for sources and our Corrections Policy if you can document a different figure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Short answers to the most common questions about this profile. For our sourcing and update method, see our Methodology page.
What is Danny DeVito's net worth in 2026?
Our editorial estimate places Danny DeVito's 2026 net worth around $80 million, built on a six-decade acting career, his role on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, his Jersey Films production company and real estate.
What is Danny DeVito best known for?
Danny DeVito is known for an enormous body of work — Louie De Palma on Taxi (Emmy + Golden Globe), films like Twins, Batman Returns, Matilda (which he also directed) and Romancing the Stone, and the long-running sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Did Danny DeVito produce Pulp Fiction?
Yes. Through his production company Jersey Films, Danny DeVito was a producer on Pulp Fiction (1994), Erin Brockovich, Get Shorty and Garden State, among others — a lucrative producing career alongside his acting.
How long has Danny DeVito been on It's Always Sunny?
Danny DeVito has played Frank Reynolds on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia since 2006 (joining in season 2). The show is the longest-running live-action American sitcom, providing him a durable income stream.
How old is Danny DeVito?
Danny DeVito was born on November 17, 1944, in Neptune, New Jersey, making him 81 years old in 2026.
Who is richer than Danny DeVito?
A side-by-side comparison with other lifestyle profiles where reported estimates are available.
