Danny DeVito height is one of the most searched facts about the actor, and the answer is short in every sense. He stands about 4 feet 10 inches (147 cm). For more than five decades, that height has been part of his look, his comedy, and his success. His raspy voice and sharp timing made him a leading man in a business built around tall stars. Below is a clear look at his measured height, the medical condition behind it, what he has said about being short, and how it shaped his life and career.
Danny DeVito Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. |
| Nickname/Stage Name | Danny DeVito |
| Date of Birth | 17 November 1944 |
| Place of Birth | Neptune Township, New Jersey, USA |
| Age | 81 years (turns 82 on 17 November 2026) |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| Religion | Raised Catholic |
| Ethnicity | Italian-American |
| Profession/Occupation | Actor, director, producer |
| Years Active | Late 1960s – present |
| Education | Oratory Preparatory School (1962); American Academy of Dramatic Arts |
| Genre/Field | Comedy, film, television, voice acting |
| Spouse/Partner | Rhea Perlman (married 1982; separated, not divorced) |
| Children | Lucy Chet, Grace Fan, Jacob Daniel |
| Parents | Daniel DeVito Sr. and Julia DeVito |
| Siblings | Two older sisters |
| Net Worth | Estimated $80–90 million |
| Height | About 4’10” (147 cm) |
| Weight | About 160 lbs (72 kg), estimated |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Gray (mostly bald) |
| Notable Works | Taxi, Batman Returns, Twins, Matilda, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia |
| Awards/Honors | Emmy Award, Golden Globe Award, Oscar nomination (producer, Erin Brockovich) |
| Social Media | Instagram, X |
How Tall Is Danny DeVito?
Danny DeVito is about 4’10”, or roughly 147 cm. That figure is the most widely accepted measured height. Some sources list him at 4’9″–4’10” (145–147 cm), while older career data often rounded him up to a generous 5’0″ (152 cm).
DeVito himself has joked about the number for years. He once said, “On a really good day I’m 5 feet short.” In other interviews, he has called himself “five foot nothing” or a little under 5 feet. The humor tells you he has never been shy about it.
From years of checking celebrity height claims, I have learned that interview numbers rarely match the measuring tape. Stars round up, interviewers repeat what they hear, and fan estimates fill the gaps. In DeVito’s case, recent photos beside known heights support the 4’10” range far better than 5’0″.
Danny DeVito Height in Different Units
| Unit | Height |
|---|---|
| Feet and inches (ft/in) | 4’10” (sometimes listed 4’9″–5’0″) |
| Centimeters (cm) | 145–147 cm |
| Inches | 58 inches |
| Meters | About 1.47 m |
Why His Reported Height Changed Over the Years
Early career data often showed him at 5’0″. Later interviews and photos point lower. Part of that is simple rounding. Part of it is age, because after 60, the spine tends to settle and most people lose a little height.
So the honest answer is this: in his prime, DeVito was likely close to 4’10”. Today, in his 80s, he may measure slightly less. Neither number can be fully independently verified, but 4’10” remains the safest figure to use.
The Medical Reason Behind His Height
DeVito’s height comes from a rare genetic disorder called multiple epiphyseal dysplasia, often shortened to MED. It is also known as Fairbank’s disease. This rare inherited condition affects how cartilage develops at the ends of the long bones.
Cartilage is the base the body uses to build bone during childhood. When that bone growth process is disrupted, the arms and legs do not grow to full length. The result is a short adult height, usually well below average, even when the rest of the body develops normally.
MED can also cause joint pain and joint stiffness, especially in the hips and knees. Many adults with the condition notice more discomfort in later life. Doctors usually suggest gentle exercise and activity to keep joints moving and reduce stiffness.
DeVito has rarely gone deep into the medical details in public. He prefers to talk about his career rather than his diagnosis. Still, knowing the cause helps explain why his height stopped early in his teenage years and never caught up with his peers.
What Danny DeVito Has Said About His Height
DeVito has always talked about his height with humor, not bitterness. He has admitted that as a teenager he felt self-conscious when his growth stopped while friends kept getting taller. Instead of hiding, he says he overcompensated by building a big personality.
One of his favorite stories is about clothes. As a young man, he could not find pants that fit in the men’s section. He had to shop in the large boys’ department. He tells the story with a laugh, but it shows how early he had to adapt.
He also danced with taller girls at school events and never let height decide his social circles. In a 2017 interview, he explained that being the short guy made him work harder to be memorable. That confidence became his trademark.
DeVito has even called himself a “nasty little guy” in a playful way, leaning into the image instead of fighting it. Around his 81st birthday in November 2025, old clips of him joking about his height went viral again, proving fans still love his attitude.
How His Height Shaped His Hollywood Career
His height did not block his career. It helped define it. A casting director could spot him instantly, and he never blended into a crowd. That distinctive look gave him a lane no other actor could easily fill.
When he auditioned for Taxi, the producers were looking for a sharp, loud, small-but-mighty boss. DeVito walked in with so much attitude that he stole the room. Louie De Palma became one of TV’s most memorable characters, and the role launched his fame.
The best example of using height for comedy is Twins (1988) with Arnold Schwarzenegger. The idea of the 6’2″ bodybuilder and the 4’10” hustler as twin brothers was the whole joke. The film became a huge hit and is still his most famous height-based role.
His height also never limited him to one type. He played villains, schemers, fathers, and bosses. He moved into directing and producing too, where height does not matter at all. In my view, his career proves that a strong personality outlasts any physical “rule” in Hollywood.
Danny DeVito Height Compared With Other Stars
A side-by-side look shows just how short DeVito is compared with his famous co-stars and friends. All numbers below are approximate figures.
| Celebrity | Height | Difference From DeVito |
|---|---|---|
| Danny DeVito | 4’10” (147 cm) | — |
| Peter Dinklage | 4’5″ (135 cm) | DeVito is about 5 inches taller |
| Rhea Perlman | About 5’0″ (152 cm) | About 2 inches taller |
| Joe Pesci | 5’4″ (163 cm) | About 6 inches taller |
| Arnold Schwarzenegger | 6’2″ (188 cm) | About 16 inches taller |
| Eli Manning | 6’5″ (196 cm) | About 19 inches taller |
Peter Dinklage is one of the few well-known actors shorter than DeVito. Both have used their height on their own terms, refusing roles that only make fun of it.
Next to Eli Manning, the gap is almost comic. The former NFL quarterback stands more than a foot and a half taller, which made their joint appearances a visual joke on their own.
How Much Does Danny DeVito Weigh?
Danny DeVito’s estimated weight is around 160 lbs (72 kg). Like his height, this number comes from estimates rather than official records, and it has likely shifted over the decades.
At his height, that weight gives him a stocky, solid frame. He has never been known as a fitness-focused star. He openly loves food, especially Italian cooking, and often jokes about his appetite.
His build has also become part of his screen image. Characters like the Penguin and Frank Reynolds rely on a round, grounded presence that matches his loud energy.
Danny DeVito Early Life, Age and Birthplace
Danny DeVito was born on 17 November 1944 in Neptune Township, New Jersey. He grew up in nearby Asbury Park. He is 81 years old and will turn 82 in November 2026.
He was the youngest of three children, with two older sisters. His father, Daniel DeVito Sr., ran several small businesses, including a dry cleaner and a candy store. The family had Italian roots and a strong working-class background.
He attended Oratory Preparatory School, a Catholic school, and graduated in 1962. After that, he trained in cosmetology and worked in his sister’s hair salon. That job pushed him toward the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where his acting journey began.
New Jersey stayed close to his heart. He later named his production company Jersey Films, a nod to the state that raised him.
Danny DeVito Career Highlights
DeVito’s career runs across five decades of TV, film, voice work, directing, and producing. Here are the key moments.
| Year | Work | Role/Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| 1978–1983 | Taxi | Louie De Palma (Emmy and Golden Globe win) |
| 1983 | Terms of Endearment | Vernon Dahlart |
| 1987 | Throw Momma from the Train | Actor and director |
| 1988 | Twins | Vincent Benedict, with Arnold Schwarzenegger |
| 1989 | The War of the Roses | Actor and director |
| 1992 | Batman Returns | The Penguin |
| 1994 | Pulp Fiction | Executive producer (Jersey Films) |
| 1995 | Get Shorty | Martin Weir |
| 1996 | Matilda | Mr. Wormwood, also director |
| 1996 | Space Jam | Voice of Swackhammer |
| 2000 | Erin Brockovich | Producer (Oscar nomination for Best Picture) |
| 2002 | Death to Smoochy | Actor and director |
| 2003 onward | Reno 911! | Executive producer |
| 2004 | Garden State | Producer |
| 2006–present | It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia | Frank Reynolds |
| 2012 | The Lorax | Voice of the Lorax |
Taxi gave him his breakout role and made him a household name. Batman Returns showed he could be dark and menacing. Matilda proved he could direct a family classic and still steal scenes as a greedy, loud father.
Behind the camera, Jersey Films backed bold projects. Pulp Fiction and Erin Brockovich both earned Best Picture attention, which is rare for any producer. Outside entertainment, he even launched his own limoncello liqueur brand.
Danny DeVito Wife Rhea Perlman
DeVito’s wife is actress Rhea Perlman, best known for Cheers. The two met in 1971 through a play and married in 1982. She stands around 5’0″, only slightly taller than him, which made them one of Hollywood’s most recognizable short couples.
They often worked together. Perlman appeared on Taxi, and she played Mrs. Wormwood opposite him in Matilda. Their on-screen chemistry came from a real, long-running partnership.
The couple separated in 2012 but reconciled in 2013. In 2017, they separated again, and news of the split spread in March 2018. However, they never filed for divorce.
Today they live apart but remain legally married and close friends. They still appear together at events and speak warmly about raising their kids as a team.
Danny DeVito’s Kids
DeVito and Perlman share three children:
- Lucy Chet DeVito (born 1983) — an actress who has appeared in projects like Deadbeat and Shameless.
- Grace Fan DeVito (born 1985) — the more private daughter, who stands around 5’1″, taller than both parents.
- Jacob Daniel “Jake” DeVito (born 1987) — a producer who has worked on It’s Always Sunny and helped produce projects like Curmudgeons and Jeff & Some Aliens.
Jake and his father have teamed up more than once. DeVito directed and starred in Curmudgeons, a short film Jake helped co-produce. It is one of several family collaborations.
DeVito became a grandfather in 2023. He has often said that family time matters more to him now than chasing new roles.
Fans React to His Height at the 75th Emmys
On 15 January 2024, DeVito appeared on stage at the 75th Emmys at the Peacock Theater in LA. He presented alongside his It’s Always Sunny castmates Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney, and Kaitlin Olson.
Standing next to them, he looked almost half their size. Fans quickly shared clips and posts on X, joking about how tiny he appeared and praising his energy.
Most of the reaction was warm, not mocking. Viewers loved his confidence and timing on stage. For many younger fans, it was a reminder that he is still a comedy powerhouse in his 80s.
The Eli Manning Commercial
DeVito teamed up with former NFL quarterback Eli Manning for Jersey Mike’s ads. The joke was simple: two New Jersey favorites bickering, with a massive height gap between them.
Their ads leaned on playful arguing and comic timing. DeVito also showed up as a guest on the ManningCast broadcast during a Giants vs Patriots game, where the same fun dynamic continued.
The pairing worked because both men knew the visual joke and enjoyed it. It is a smart example of a brand using his height as charm rather than ridicule.
His Positive Impact on Others
DeVito’s influence goes beyond the screen. One Reddit user shared a story about meeting him on a ski trip at age 13, while struggling at a Catholic boarding school. DeVito took the time to talk with him.
He told the boy that hard times pass and that he would get through them. The user said that short meeting changed his outlook during a tough stretch of his life.
Stories like this match his public image. He has never treated his height as a weakness, and that attitude seems to rub off on people who meet him. Many fans say he taught them to stop worrying about how they look.
Danny DeVito Net Worth
Danny DeVito’s net worth is estimated at around $80–90 million. Earlier 2019 estimates placed it near $90 million, while more recent figures sit closer to $80 million.
His wealth comes from acting, directing, and especially producing. Jersey Films projects like Pulp Fiction, Erin Brockovich, and Garden State added major income beyond his acting fees.
Long-running work on It’s Always Sunny, voice roles, ads like the Jersey Mike’s campaign, and his limoncello brand also add to his earnings. Few actors his height, or any height, have built such a wide business career.
FAQs
Was Danny DeVito always short compared to other actors?
Yes. Throughout his adult life, DeVito has been well below average height and shorter than nearly all his co-stars. Only a few actors, like Peter Dinklage, stand shorter than him in Hollywood.
Did Danny DeVito’s height affect his acting career?
It shaped his career rather than limiting it. His height gave him a distinctive look that the media and audiences remembered. It also led to iconic casting choices like Twins, while his range kept him from being typecast.
What TV show made Danny DeVito a household name?
Taxi made him famous. His role as the rude dispatcher Louie De Palma earned wide recognition, an Emmy, and a Golden Globe in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Is Danny DeVito still acting in 2026?
Yes. At 81, he remains active in film and television, and he continues to appear as Frank Reynolds on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Is Danny DeVito taller than Peter Dinklage?
Yes. At about 4’10”, DeVito is roughly 5 inches taller than Peter Dinklage, who stands around 4’5″.
Can Danny DeVito’s condition be passed down?
Multiple epiphyseal dysplasia is an inherited condition, so it can run in families. None of his children are known to share his height, and his daughter Grace is even taller than both parents.
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