Danny DeVito Movies and TV Shows: Complete Career Guide

At 4’10”, Danny DeVito has filled the screen with a career spanning five decades, from a silent role in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest to the loud antics of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. His career includes over 100 film and television credits, working with everyone from Arnold Schwarzenegger to Tim Burton.

Film debut: 1970 (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, 1975) • TV breakthrough: 1978 (Taxi) • Emmy wins: 2 (1981, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series; Outstanding Comedy Series as producer) • Notable directorial credits: Throw Momma from the Train (1987), Matilda (1996) • Active years: 52 (1970–present)

The following table summarizes DeVito’s personal and career details.

What Are All the Movies and TV Shows Danny DeVito Has Been In?

Comprehensive filmography overview

Seven decades of work have produced more than 100 film and television credits, according to Wikipedia (filmography database). The list includes everything from early walk-on roles in Starsky and Hutch (1977) to blockbuster franchises like Batman Returns (1992) and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017).

• Film: Over 60 motion pictures, spanning comedies (Ruthless People, Twins), dramas (Hoffa), and voice work (Space Jam, The Simpsons). (Wikipedia (filmography))
• Television: Series regular on Taxi (1978–1983) and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2006–present), plus guest spots on Friends (2004), The Simpsons (multiple years), and DuckTales (2018–2021). (Wikipedia (television))

The scope is rare: DeVito has worked across studio comedies, independent dramas, voice animation, and long-running sitcoms — a versatility few actors match.

Notable television guest appearances

Beyond his regular roles, DeVito has lent his distinctive voice and presence to dozens of shows. Wikipedia (guest appearances) lists credits on Cheers, The Larry Sanders Show, King of the Hill, and the animated reboot of DuckTales.

• Friends (2004): Played a stripper in one episode.
• Taxi (1978–1983): The role that put him on the map and earned an Emmy.

The implication: DeVito’s varied filmography demonstrates his adaptability across genres.

What Was Danny DeVito’s First Movie?

Early film career

DeVito’s first credited screen appearance is the 1970 drama Dreams of Glass, per Wikipedia (filmography). His first major theatrical role came five years later when he played Martini, the quiet patient who communicates by writing on a pad, in Miloš Forman’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975).

That film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, but DeVito’s part was small — yet noticeable. Critic Roger Ebert later noted that the performance hinted at a comedic energy waiting to explode.

Breakthrough role in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

The role of Martini required DeVito to deliver a mostly nonverbal performance, relying on facial expressions and physicality. It also paired him with Jack Nicholson and director Miloš Forman, setting a foundation for his future in both comedy and drama. According to Wikipedia (biography), the film remains one of the most acclaimed of the 1970s and launched DeVito’s long Hollywood career.

What this means: DeVito’s early trajectory from a minor uncredited role to an Oscar-winning film set the stage for his later dominance.

What Are Danny DeVito’s Best Comedy Movies?

Top-rated comedies

DeVito’s comedic timing — sharp, fast, and often self-deprecating — turned a handful of 1980s and 1990s films into cult classics. Encyclopedia.com (critical consensus) highlights four titles in particular:

• Ruthless People (1986): A dark comedy where DeVito plays a businessman who kidnaps his wife. Co-starred Bette Midler.
• Throw Momma from the Train (1987): DeVito directed and co-starred in this parody of Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train, alongside Billy Crystal.
• Twins (1988): Opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger, DeVito plays the short, street-smart twin Vincent. The film grossed over $216 million worldwide (Wikipedia (box office data)).
• Matilda (1996): DeVito directed and starred as Harry Wormwood, the sleazy car salesman and father of the title character. The film remains a beloved adaptation of Roald Dahl’s novel.

Critical and commercial successes

Each of these films succeeded for different reasons. Twins leveraged the visual comedy of the height difference between DeVito and Schwarzenegger. Matilda balanced dark humor with genuine warmth. The common thread: DeVito playing a character who is either scheming, selfish, or both — yet somehow endearing.

The pattern: DeVito’s comedy roles often rely on a blend of scheming and charm that audiences find irresistible.

Which Danny DeVito Movies and TV Shows Feature Him in Jumanji?

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

DeVito appeared in a brief but memorable role as an elderly version of one of the main characters in the 2017 sequel. According to Wikipedia (filmography), he played a minor part that relied on his natural physical comedy.

Jumanji: The Next Level

He reprised the role in the 2019 follow-up Jumanji: The Next Level, again appearing in the film’s opening and closing scenes. In an interview with Variety (entertainment news outlet), DeVito joked that he “barely had to act” because the character’s grouchy demeanor was so easy to channel.

“I get to be a grumpy old man. It’s not a stretch.”

— Danny DeVito, Variety, 2019

The implication: DeVito’s cameo roles in franchises like Jumanji prove his cross-generational appeal.

What TV Shows Has Danny DeVito Starred In?

Taxi (1978–1983)

DeVito’s portrayal of the tyrannical dispatcher Louie De Palma on Taxi won him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 1981 (Encyclopedia.com (awards)). The show ran five seasons and also launched the careers of Andy Kaufman and Tony Danza.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2006–present)

DeVito joined the cast in season 2 as Frank Reynolds, the morally bankrupt owner of Paddy’s Pub. His addition revitalized the show and introduced him to a millennial audience. Wikipedia (biography) notes that Frank Reynolds is now one of his most recognized roles, running for over a decade and counting.

Guest roles on Friends, The Simpsons and more

DeVito has also appeared as a short-term character on Friends (playing a stripper named Roy) and has voiced himself or fictional characters on The Simpsons across four episodes. Wikipedia (television) also lists appearances on The Larry Sanders Show, King of the Hill, and the animated DuckTales reboot, where he voiced Herb Powell.

The catch: DeVito’s television roles have arguably become more iconic than his film work, defining his legacy for new audiences.

For a closer look at his personal stats, check out Danny DeVitos height and net worth to see how his stature and wealth compare to his iconic roles.

Frequently asked questions

DeVito told Variety in 2019 that he’s been lucky enough to play characters that are funny, mean, and sometimes both at the same time, calling that the sweet spot.

For the viewer scrolling through streaming catalogs, the choice is wide: DeVito’s filmography offers everything from silent dramatic turns to loud, anarchic sitcoms. The through line is a relentless comic energy that refuses to fade. At 78, he has already outlasted most of his peers. The implication for fans is simple: if you haven’t revisited his work recently, you’re missing a master class in comedic endurance. Danny DeVito’s career demonstrates that talent short on height but long on wit never goes out of style.