On September 13, 1981 – exactly six years and ONE DAY after the show made its debut, Danny DeVito received the prime time Emmy award for best supporting actor in a comedy for his role as the irascible cab dispatcher Louis De Palma on the television series Taxi (1978–1983). Born November 17, 1944 in Neptune Township, raised in Asbury Park, DeVito is an accomplished actor, comedian, director, producer, and screenwriter who has appeared in or produced some of the most iconic films in history including One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) and Terms of Endearment (1983), both of which won the Oscar for Best Picture, and also starred Neptune native Jack Nicholson.
Danny DeVito’s incredible career has also included starring roles in major films such as Twins (1988), Batman Returns (1992), Get Shorty (1995), Matilda (1996), Mars Attacks! (1996), and L.A. Confidential (1997). In addition to his work on Taxi, he has an ongoing starring role in the TV comedy It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and produced the TV comedy series Reno 911. His film production company, Jersey Films, earned him producer credits on well-regarded movies like Pulp Fiction (1994), Erin Brockovich (2000) and Be Cool (2005). He remains fond of his Shore upbringing and has returned on numerous occasions, as recently as April 28, 2018 when he was honored at the Asbury Park Music + Film Festival at the Paramount Theater.
Sources:
Danny DeVito. (2023). Biography. Available: https://www.biography.com/actor/danny-devito
Featured image source: Danny DeVito holds his Emmy award. Cropped screen capture from broadcast of Emmy awards, www.emmys.com. Consistent with Fair Use Doctrine. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNEjRLZHcTE
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