Following Taxi, Danny DeVito's movie career picked up as he began to get better and bigger parts. He got wide exposure when he co-starred in Romancing the Stone, an adventure directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. In 1987, Danny directed his first film with the comedy, Throw Momma from the Train starring himself and Billy Crystal. DeVito had a big hit then with Twins, when director Ivan Reitman paired him with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Also co-starring Kelly Preston, Danny and Arnie had a comic chemistry that resulted in a charming film.

Director Tim Burton cast Danny DeVito as the Penguin in his Batman Returns. This was an inspired choice and the film was a huge hit. Michael Keaton played Batman and Michelle Pfeiffer played Catwoman. Danny then took on another dramatic role in the bio-pic, Hoffa, which he also directed and produced. Jack Nicholson played Jimmy Hoffa, co-starring with J T Walsh and Armand Assante.

Good roles continued for Danny DeVito and he appeared in and produced the edgy, crime comedy Get Shorty. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, it starred John Travolta, Gene Hackman, and Rene Russo. Having appeared with the late Andy Kaufman in Taxi, Danny decided to produce and co-star in a film about his life. Kaufman’s appearance in Taxi had not been typical of his career; he was really known for his surreal comedy routines in stand up. Called The Man on the Moon, Milos Forman directed the movie and Jim Carrey starred as Kaufman while rock star Courtney Love supported.

Danny DeVito was re-united with director Tim Burton in 2003, when he made Big Fish. Burton cast him as a circus ringleader in this quirky modern fairy tale. Danny had also found success with his production company, making many successful television shows and movies. These movie hits included Erin Brockovich, starring Julia Roberts, and Pulp Fiction starring John Travolta, Tim Roth, Samuel L Jackson, and Bruce Willis. He also produced Gattaca, starring Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman and Along Came Polly with Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston.

The future looks busy for Danny DeVito with lots of projects planned for release in 2006 and 2007. Danny has been married to actress Rhea Perlman of Cheers fame since 1982, and they have three children.

YUDDY