“Danny DeVito reveals his family’s reaction and more”
Interview by Michael Aaron Gallagher of StayFamous.Net
Danny DeVito in “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” Photo by Patrick McElhenney / FX.
Danny DeVito isn’t afraid to reveal things. Whether it’s jumping out from behind a couch naked on his popular FX comedy series “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” or talking about some of the comedic risks he takes in his role, there is something profoundly genuine about the 66 year-old actor from New Jersey who began his career in a beauty parlor and went on to become one of the most distinguished actors in his field.
His absolute mastery of the art of television comedy shows in his ability to define his character as a unique, three-dimensional extension of himself. Where other actors might put on a mask and perform for the camera, DeVito is convincingly real – there is no masquerade or artificial showmanship. He effortlessly embodies his role with a true passion and discipline that few in his profession can match. What appears as raw spontaneity and unpredictability is a legend at work – it is the essence of DeVito.
In a recent interview, DeVito talked about his role as Frank Reynolds on the popular FX series “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”
Michael Aaron Gallagher: “When do you feel like you’re at your funniest and what, as an actor, helps get you to that place?”
Danny DeVito: “I think it’s the freedom to allow yourself to go… We have a script that is really well-written. They all put it all together. And then we’re allowed to venture off a little bit. It’s kind of like an improv, but it’s not. You don’t call it that. We just get into the situation and then everybody parries with each other.”
“One day, it was the last show that was on, we were fighting over lines and Rob looked at me, and he was so mad. He said, ‘I ought to put my finger through your eye, you little …,’ something like that. It was out of the blue… but it’s out of those come the funniest situations, where they’re spontaneous. But they do write some really great stuff, so it leads you in the path of hilarity.”
Michael Aaron Gallagher: “What does your family think of the show?”
Danny DeVito: “My family loves the show. In fact, I found the show because John Landgraf (the President of the FX network) sent the first few episodes, when they did them seven years ago, to Rhea (Perlman). He wanted to get the take on it from our family. They were all sitting watching the show religiously, and I came in and I sat down and I got hooked on it the first season with the dead guy in the hospital—there were so many things. There were racial things in the bar. They were just done in a way that was fresh and I thought each one of the characters was funnier than the next. And then later on, Landgraf sent me the note, or the email, that they were interested in talking to me about being on the show. My kids love the show now; although once in a while I do embarrass everybody by coming out of the couch naked. But it’s all in fun and they put the little Christmas wreath by my tushy.”
“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” airs at 10 p.m. Thursdays on FX. For more information visit www.fxnetworks.com.
“Danny DeVito reveals his family’s reaction and more”
Copyright © 2011 by Michael Aaron Gallagher
Photograph courtesy of FX Television Networks
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