By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-21 07:46:40 | Updated at 2025-01-21 12:19:28
4 hours ago
He has worked with some of the greatest filmmakers of the past 50 years and is known for several iconic roles.
But Danny DeVito has finally revealed what he considers his greatest role to date.
In a heartwarming video shared by AARP on Sunday, the 80-year-old acting legend said that his recent role as a grandfather had transformed his life.
'In two years, my daughters have had a baby each. And since these babies have been born, I'm just incorrigible,' he confessed in the sweet clip.
DeVito and his wife Rhea Perlman — whom he separated from in 2017 after 30 years of marriage but remains on good terms with — share two daughters, Lucy, 41, and Grace, 39, as well as their son Jacob, 37.
'You've gotta tamper me down in the joy department,' he added, joking, 'I'm just like, you know, busting.'
Danny DeVito, 80, revealed his greatest role to date is his new status as a grandfather. He spoke about the joys of spending time with his grandchildren in an interview with AARP that was shared to Instagram on Sunday
David gushed, 'I'm so lucky. Blessings showered down on me,' adding, 'And I wish it for everybody.'
Grace and her husband Andy Giannakakis welcomed their daughter Sinclair Lucille DeVito in 2023, notably opting to keep DeVito as her last name even though Gracie doesn't use her father's name.
Lucy debuted her baby bump in February 2024 on the SAG Awards red carpet, and she and her fiancé welcomed a son named Carmine in July of that year.
In an extended version of the interview posted to YouTube, DeVito admitted that he hoped he couldn't get enough of his young grandchildren.
'There's that saying, a watched pot never boils. So I apply that to my kids,' he explained. I look at them all the time, because I don't want them to boil. I want them to take their time and grow.'
He was adamant that his children should follow the same strategy.
'Don't miss a thing. Don't look away. Because when you look back, that kid's gonna be hula hooping,' he said.
'Imagine if Danny DeVito was your grandfather, that’s like winning the lottery,' wrote one touched commenter.
The It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia actor said he's 'just incorrigible' since his two daughters had babies in the last two years. 'You've gotta tamper me down in the joy department'
He said he was 'so lucky' and 'blessed' to be able to spend time with his grandchildren, and he wished the same happiness for everone
DeVito's daughter Lucy, 41, debuted her baby bump in February 2024 at the SAG Awards (pictured then with mother Rhea Perlman) and gave birth in July to son Carmine
DeVito and Perlman, whom he separated from in 2017 but remains close to, also share daughter Grace, 39, and son Jacob, 37. Grace welcomed daughter Sinclair Lucille DeVito in 2023; seen in January 2024 in LA
'Know just how you feel. They are the bomb,' agreed another person.
'What a sweet man!' gushed one fan, while another commenter noted that it was 'hilarious that he has made a career from being a grouch — and he is of course, the opposite.'
DeVito, whose It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia character recently appeared on a crossover episode of the popular comedy Abbott Elementary, described his family as one of the most important aspects of his life.
'No matter what happens in your life, the main thing is that you've got family and friends,' he declared. 'That's all we have, basically: reliable people in our lives who we can talk to and we can open up to. I'm very fortunate. Blessing showered down on me, and I wish it for everybody.'
DeVito's career has seen him play numerous iconic roles, including that of Batman's enemy the Penguin in Tim Burton's classic superhero film Batman Returns, as well as Frank Reynolds on It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia and Louie De Palma on Taxi.
He's also an accomplished director, known for helming films including Throw Momma From The Train, The War Of The Roses and Matilda, all of which he also starred in, and he has also directed multiple television episodes.
Despite his long film career and numerous classics he appeared in, DeVito has never been nominated for an acting honor by the Academy Awards.
However, his illustrious career as a film producer earned him a Best Picture nomination in 2001 for Steven Soderbergh's drama Erin Brokovich, though that Julia Roberts–starring film lost the award to Soderbergh's other movie from that year, Traffic.
