Danny De Vito was born and raised in New Jersey.  He came to acting through cosmetology, which he learned at his sister's beauty salon, and it was while pursuing cosmetology at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts that he jumped tracks, and embraced acting as a career. 

In 1975, De Vito was a supporting actor in the movie ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST.  De Vito was in the hit television series "Taxi" (1978) was where he played Louie De Palma, a taxi dispatcher with an attitude.

Danny De Vito is married to actress Rhea Pearlman, with whom he has three children.  In 1992, the couple founded Jersey Films, producing such hits as PULP FICTION, GET SHORTY AND ERIN BROCKOVICH. 

Also in 1992, Danny De Vito played the grotesque villain "The Penguin," threatening to take over Gotham City, in Tim Burton's BATMAN RETURNS.

In the 1997 movie, LA CONFIDENTIAL, starring Kim Basinger and Kevin Spacey, Danny De Vito plays Sid Hudgens, the editor of a sleazy tabloid, whose lust for a story leads him into a world of crime which he has difficulty extracting himself from.

.Danny DeVito's other notable credits include...

GIRL WALKS INTO A BAR (2011)
WHEN IN ROME (2010)
SOLITARY MAN (2009)
HOUSE BROKEN (2009)
JUST ADD WATER (2008)
Nobel Son (2007)
Just Add Water (2007)
The Good Night (2007)
Deck The Halls (2006)
10 Items or Less (2006)
Relative Strangers (2006)
Easy Money (2006)
The Oh in Ohio (2006)
Be Cool (2005)
Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing & Charm School (2005)
Christmas in Love (2004)
Catching Kringle (2004)
Bad Boy's 10th Anniverary.....The Hits (2004)
Family of the Year (2004)
Big Fish (2003)
Duplex (2003)
Anything Else (2003)
Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002) .... Famous Mini Me
L.A. Confidential (1997) .... Sid Hudgens
Mars Attacks! (1996) .... Rude Gambler
Get Shorty (1995) .... Martin Weir
Hoffa (1992) .... Bobby Ciaro
Batman Returns (1992) .... The Penguin/Oswald Cobblepot
Other People's Money (1991) .... Lawrence Garfield
The War of the Roses (1989) .... Gavin D'Amato
Twins (1988) .... Vincent Benedict
Throw Momma from the Train (1987) .... Owen/Ned 'Little Ned' Lift
Ruthless People (1986) .... Sam Stone
The Jewel of the Nile (1985) .... Ralph
Romancing the Stone (1984) .... Ralph
Goin' South (1978) .... Hog
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) .... Martini
Bananas (1971) (uncredited) .... Man Sitting in Honeymoon Suite