Daniel Michael DeVito of Arbëresh descent born on November 17

 

 Daniel Michael DeVito, Jr., better known as Danny DeVito was born in New Jersey on November 17, 1944. He is a famous American actor, director and producer of Arbëresh descent from San Fele (Potenza). His father, Daniel Michael DeVito Sr. (1901-1982), was a small entrepreneur running a pastry shop and finally a bar, while his mother, Julia Mocello (1904-1990), was a housewife, who also starred in the famous Taxi sitcom, in the role of mother of Louie De Palma, a character played by her son.

Before studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, DeVito worked at his sister's beauty salon. Danny DeVito began his career with Sitcoms like Taxi in the 60's and 70's along with Andy Kaufman. In 1971 he played a minor role in La mortadella of Mario Monicelli. His success was unstoppable after working with Hollywood's most famous directors and actors. He has won a Golden Globe, an Emmy, and an Oscar nomination

DeVito has been married to actress Rhea Perlman since January 28, 1982, with whom she has three children: Lucy (1983), Grace Fan (1985) and Jacob Daniel (1987). After 30 years of marriage, his wife wanted a divorce "because of constant betrayals." However, in March 2013, the couple announced they had reconciled and decided not to split. The actor backs the Democratic Party and in 2016, supported Bernie Sanders' candidacy. DeVito has a great passion for limoncello, a passion even turned into a business in 2007, when he launched the Danny DeVito Premium Limoncello brand that is found now on U.S. supermarket shelves.

Danny DeVito has stated his Arbëresh ancestry directly on television when he was invited by the famous Regis Philbin, also of Arbëresh roots from his mother, who addressed DeVito live and said they were both Arbëresh, while Danny DeVito answered, yes Philbin, you are right but you are half, because your father is Irish, and I am Arberesh with mother and father!

On the occasion of his birthday, Oculus News wishes to this outstanding actor of Arbëresh roots a long life!

Below are some of his films:

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
Taxi (1978–1983)
Terms of Endearment (1983)
Romancing the Stone (1984)
The Jewel of the Nile (1985)
Tin Men (1987)
Throw Momma from the Train (1987)
Twins (1988)
The War of the Roses (1989)
Batman Returns (1992)
Hoffa (1992)
Jack the Bear (1993)
Reality Bites (1994)
Junior (1994)
Get Shorty (1995)
Sunset Park (1996)
Matilda (1996)
Space Jam (1996)
March Attacks! (1996)
The Rainmaker (1997)
L.A. Confidential (1997)
Hercules (1997)
Gattaca (1997)
Out of Sight (1998)
Living Out Loud (1998)
Man on the Moon (1999)
The Virgin Suicides (1999)
Mona Drowning (2000)
Erin Brockvich (2000)
How High (2001)
Death to Smoochy (2002)
Anything Else (2003)
Big Fish (2003)
Be Cool (2005)
Deck the Halls (2006)
Always Sunny in Philadelphia (sitcom 2006 – present)
Solitary Man (2009)
The Lorax (2012)
Wiener-Dog (2016)
Dumbo (2019)
Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)