Summary
- Danny DeVito reflects fondly on his iconic roles like the Penguin in Batman Returns and Frank Reynolds in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
- Some of DeVito’s most memorable films include One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Matilda and L.A. Confidential.
- The actor feels like the cast of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is his family and loves working with them, describing it as being on set with his buddies.
“9:00 a.m. On Christmas Eve — Philadelphia, PA…” Danny DeVito is a true Hollywood icon. The actor’s career spans over 50 years in show business, and, during that time, he’s played a plethora of unforgettable characters. And DeVito is looking back on his years in Tinseltown fondly as he reflects on worldwide-known roles like the Penguin in Batman Returns and Frank Reynolds in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. DeVito discussed the parts he’s most recognized for in an interview with GQ:
“The younger kids will talk to me about Mr. Wormwood [Matilda]. There’s a lot of Batman, the Penguin. When Taxi was on before all that stuff, it was Louie, and now there’s a lot of Frank [It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia]. A guy was here the other night, so he showed me his tattoo on his arm of me as the Trash Man. And I go, ‘That’s so cool, man.’ It’s great to be in this… this zeitgeist.”
With One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Throw Momma from the Train and Twins already under his belt, DeVito accepted the role of the Dark Knight’s adversary, the Penguin, in Tim Burton’s Batman Returns. The 1992 superhero film marked the first time DeVito and Burton collaborated together, and the actor had a great time making the Bat film. However, to pass the three hours it took to apply the Penguin’s makeup, DeVito would watch a television situated behind him by utilizing the mirror in front of him. This is a tactic DeVito turned to on many of his acting gigs over the years while sitting in the make-up chair.
Related: Danny DeVito’s 20 Funniest Movies
It’s Always Sunny for Danny DeVito
Danny DeVito strayed ever so slightly from his role as the Penguin in Batman Returns when he dove into the magical world of Roald Dahl’s Matilda. DeVito wore a number of hats on the 1996 production as he served as the director, the voice of the narrator, and he starred as the disreputable Harry Wormwood. DeVito followed up Matilda with a part in Mars Attacks!, the unforgettable performance he gave in L.A. Confidential and an uncredited role as an alien in the original Men in Black. And while his star continued to shine, things would soon get really “sunny” for the talented thespian.
In 2006, DeVito played a part (Buddy Hall) he’ll always be associated with at Christmastime thanks to Deck the Halls. However, that same year he joined the “gang” during the second season of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. And since then, an entire new generation of television fans have come to know and love Frank Reynolds. DeVito told GQ there was never a feeling out period when he joined the cast, as they all “hit it off right away.”
“From the very beginning, with all of them, we became like really close. And I feel like they’re my family. You can’t beat that because when you go to work every day, and you have people who you love and you care about, it’s like being on the set with your buddies.”
Today, DeVito plays one of the best characters on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The last episode of season 16 aired back in July, but, at the time of this writing, there’s still no word on when season 17 will drop. Until then, check out these greatest “meme” hits of Frank and the rest of the gang below:
You can view the original article HERE.
