
Daniel Michael DeVito, Sr is the father of American actor and filmmaker Daniel Michael DeVito Jr, popularly known as Danny DeVito. Daniel Sr’s son Danny DeVito has worked in films, television, and stage. He is a recipient of a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award and nominations for an Academy Award, a Producers Guild Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Tony Award.
Daniel Michael DeVito, Sr: Bio Summary
Name | Daniel Michael DeVito, Sr |
Date of birth | 1 August 1901 |
Place of birth | New York, USA |
Famous as | father of Danny DeVito |
Died | 15 February 1982 (aged 80) |
Parents | Michele Devito and Mariangela Mastroscusa |
Spouse | Julia DeVito |
Grandchildren | Lucy DeVito, Jake DeVito, and Grace Fan DeVito |
Children | Angela DeVito Lucia, Theresa DeVito Scialla, and Danny DeVito |
Who Was Danny DeVito’s Father, Daniel Michael DeVito, Sr?
Daniel Michael DeVito Sr is best recognized as the father of Danny DeVito. Daniel Sr was welcomed into the world on August 01, 1901, in New York, United States. His father was Michael/Michele/Michelo Devito and his mother was Mary/Mariangela/Mariagiola Mastroscuso/Mastacuso/Mastroscusa. He wasn’t the only child of his parents.
Daniel Sr was the brother of Frank DeVito, Filomena D DeVito, Sebastian Michael DeVito, Dominic DeVito, Antoinette DeVito, Vincenzo DeVito, Donato Michele DeVito, Sr., and James DeVito, according to Geni. Daniel Sr hasn’t provided much information about his upbringing, education, and relatives. He worked as a businessman.
Daniel DeVito Sr. owned a small business. His business ventures included a dry cleaning store (Dan-Dee Cleaners), a dairy outlet (From Our Farm to You), a luncheonette, and a pool hall. He married Julia DeVito (née Moccello). His wife Julia was a homemaker. They had three children, a son Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. (Danny DeVito), and two daughters Theresa Scialla and Angela Lucia.
Daniel DeVito Sr. and Julia DeVito raised their children in Asbury Park, New Jersey. They were raised Catholic. Their son Danny DeVito has mentioned: “My family comes from San Fele, in southern Italy, and growing up in Asbury Park, New Jersey, my house was always filled with relatives from the old country –sleeping in chairs, eating, and drinking my uncle’s homemade red wine.”
“My mother made regional Italian dishes with lots of vegetables — fennel, broccoli, dandelion greens. From the time my kids were born, I couldn’t wait to bring them to Italy and expose them to their ancestry and culture.” Daniel Sr. did his best as a father to provide for his family. He was very supportive of his children and wife. He lived a private life away from the spotlight.
ALSO, READ: Julia DeVito: What Happened To Danny DeVito’s Mother?
Daniel Michael DeVito, Sr and his son Danny DeVito were very close to each other. According to Danny, Daniel Sr was “a stay-at-home kind of dad.” He initially had a candy store on Springwood Avenue, Asbury Park in New Jersey. He ventured into business where “he could work from home and just use a phone. He became a bookie taking bets on horses.”
Danny said at the time, he could see his father whenever he wanted. “If you have a father who wants to spend time with you, which mine did, then you’re really fortunate,” Danny disclosed. “You get that rush of being with your dad, going places, even if it’s just shopping or to the movies. We used to fish a lot, my father and me.” Danny has made it known that he owes his father Daniel Sr a lot.
“I owe a great deal to my father in terms of him always being there,” Danny DeVito said. He mentioned that Daniel Sr taught him to be prepared. “If you feel like going on a hike: well, do you have all the right equipment; do you know where you’re going; are you going to get lost? Am I ever going to see you again? All these things you have to think of, and it’s the same thing with life. My father taught me to know what I’m doing and be prepared.”
ALSO, READ; Angela Lucia: Who Was Danny DeVito’s Sister?
Daniel Michael DeVito, Sr’s son Danny DeVito born Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. is known for his contributions to the film industry as an actor, producer, and director in stage, television, and film. He played taxi dispatcher Louie De Palma in the television series Taxi (1978–1983) and plays Frank Reynolds on the FX and FXX sitcom It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2006–present).
Danny DeVito has appeared in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Terms of Endearment, Romancing the Stone, Throw Momma from the Train, Twins, The War of the Roses, Batman Returns, Jack the Bear, Junior, Get Shorty, Matilda, L.A. Confidential, The Big Kahuna, Big Fish, Deck the Halls, When in Rome, Wiener-Dog, and Jumanji: The Next Level.
Danny DeVito has had voice roles in films such as Hercules (1997), The Lorax (2012), and Smallfoot (2018). He has produced the films Hoffa, Reality Bites, Get Shorty, Sunset Park, Matilda, Feeling Minnesota, Gattaca, Out of Sight, Living Out Loud, Man on the Moon, Camp, Be Cool, Freedom Writers, Curmudgeons, and He Watches among others.
As a director, Danny DeVito has worked for the films Minestrone, Throw Momma from the Train, The War of the Roses, Hoffa, Matilda, Death to Smoochy, Duplex, Skin Deep, Nest of Vipers, Curmudgeons, and many more. He married actress Rhea Perlman and they had three children. Daniel Sr died without meeting his grandchildren.
ALSO, READ: Jake DeVito: Inside The Life Of Danny DeVito’s Son
Danny DeVito once said: “My father, Danny, didn’t get to see my kids. He died 28 years ago. I had just got married. But my father was very important in my life.”
Daniel Michael DeVito, Sr Passed Away In 1982
Daniel Michael DeVito, Sr died on 15 February 1982, in Monmouth, New Jersey, United States. He was at the age of 80 years when he died. Much is unknown about his death. His son Danny DeVito says of his father: “I still miss him. There’s that emptiness that you have to take with you. But that’s part of being a human being.”
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