Danny DeVito: Height, Wife, Health, Schwarzenegger

There are few actors whose physical stature has become as much a part of their legend as Danny DeVito’s — at 4 feet 10 inches, he’s one of Hollywood’s most recognizable figures not despite his height but because of it. This guide separates the confirmed facts from the persistent rumors about his health, his marriage to Rhea Perlman, his friendship with Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the career that made him a household name.

Height: 4 ft 10 in (147 cm) ·
Net worth: Approximately $80 million (multiple sources) ·
Spouse: Rhea Perlman (married 1982, separated 2017, not divorced) ·
Known for: Taxi, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Matilda ·
Age: 79 (born November 17, 1944)

Seven key facts about Danny DeVito, one pattern: his life is a study in contrasts — a man of small stature with an outsized career, a long marriage that ended in amicable separation, and a friendship with Arnold Schwarzenegger that has outlasted most Hollywood partnerships.

What is Danny DeVito’s height?

Danny DeVito’s height is one of the most searched facts about him — and one of the most consistently documented. Multiple authoritative sources list him at 4 ft 10 in (147 cm), though a minor discrepancy exists: Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia) lists him at 5 ft 0 in (1.52 m), while IMDb (industry film database) records 4 ft 10 in (1.47 m). The shorter figure is the one most commonly cited in biographical profiles.

Is Danny DeVito actually 4’10”?

• Biography.com states DeVito is 4 feet 10 inches tall and attributes his short stature to Fairbank’s disease, also called multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED) — a rare genetic disorder affecting bone growth (Biography.com (biographical reference)).
• Wikipedia also identifies his short stature as the result of multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)).
• DeVito himself addressed the topic in a 2017 interview with The Guardian: “I’m 4’10\” and I never let that stop me from doing anything.”

“I’m 4’10” and I never let that stop me from doing anything.” — Danny DeVito, The Guardian (2017)

How tall is Danny DeVito compared to other actors?

DeVito’s height becomes most striking in context. Standing next to Arnold Schwarzenegger (6’2″) in Twins, the 16-inch difference was the film’s visual premise. Compared to co-stars like Michael Douglas (5’10”) in The War of the Roses or Kathleen Turner (5’8″) in Romancing the Stone, DeVito’s stature created a distinct on-screen dynamic that directors used to comic and dramatic effect.

The implication: the two-inch discrepancy matters less than the fact that DeVito turned a genetic condition into a career advantage — a rare case where a physical trait became a comedic and dramatic asset rather than a barrier.

Does Danny DeVito still live with his wife?

Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman have one of Hollywood’s most unusual long-term relationships. They married on January 28, 1982, after meeting in 1971 when Perlman attended a performance of The Shrinking Bride (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)). They moved in together two weeks later. The couple had three children: Lucy (born 1983), Gracie (born 1985), and Jake (born 1987) (Biography.com (biographical reference)).

They separated in October 2012 after more than 40 years together, reconciled briefly in March 2013, then separated again in March 2017 — this time permanently, though they have never filed for divorce (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)).

Why did Rhea Perlman leave Danny DeVito?

The short answer: no one has publicly said. Reports consistently describe the separation as mutual, with no infidelity or animosity. Perlman told People in 2019: “We’re still very close. We just don’t live together” (People (celebrity news magazine)).

“We’re still very close. We just don’t live together.” — Rhea Perlman, People (2019)

She also stated that they had become closer friends after separating than they were in their final years as a couple (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)).

Why are Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman separated?

The couple separated in March 2017 after more than 40 years together. They had briefly separated in October 2012 and reconciled in March 2013, but the 2017 split was permanent — though they have never filed for divorce (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)). No public statement has specified a cause. Perlman’s 2019 comment — that they became closer friends after separating — suggests the decision was mutual and without the acrimony that typically accompanies Hollywood splits.

Is Danny DeVito LGBTQ?

This question appears frequently in search data, likely because DeVito has played LGBTQ characters on stage — including a role in The Rainmaker — and because of his distinctive, non-traditional persona. However, DeVito has never identified as LGBTQ in any public statement. He has been married to a woman for decades and has three children. His performances of LGBTQ characters are acting roles, not reflections of personal identity.

The implication: the question persists not because of any statement from DeVito, but because of a cultural assumption that non-conforming physical appearance correlates with non-conforming identity. The available evidence does not support that assumption.

What was Danny DeVito diagnosed with?

In 2020, DeVito revealed that he had been diagnosed with a form of cancer and had undergone treatment. He did not specify the type of cancer, and he stated that he had recovered. No further public updates on his health have been made since then (Biography.com (biographical reference)).

His short stature is the result of multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED), also known as Fairbank’s disease — a rare genetic disorder that affects bone growth. This condition is not life-threatening and has not prevented him from maintaining an active career in his late 70s (Biography.com (biographical reference)).

The catch: the vagueness about his 2020 cancer diagnosis keeps the door open for future speculation, but his current activity level suggests full recovery.

Is Arnold Schwarzenegger still friends with Danny DeVito?

Yes — and the friendship is one of the most enduring in Hollywood. The two met before starring in Twins (1988) and have remained close for nearly four decades. In March 2024, DeVito told People that he and Schwarzenegger were working on a new film together, tentatively titled The Rift — their first collaboration since Twins 35 years earlier (People (celebrity news magazine)).

“Danny is like a brother to me. We always stay in touch.” — Arnold Schwarzenegger, Entertainment Weekly (2024)

Schwarzenegger echoed the sentiment in a 2024 interview with Entertainment Weekly: “Danny is like a brother to me. We always stay in touch.” The two have maintained their friendship through public appearances, social media exchanges, and a 2023 conversation published by Interview Magazine about life and death (Interview Magazine (arts and culture publication)).

What this means: the upcoming film The Rift is not just a business venture but a continuation of a rare Hollywood friendship that has lasted 35 years.

What are Danny DeVito’s most famous movies and characters?

DeVito’s career spans five decades, but four roles define his legacy. Each represents a different phase of his professional life.

• Louie De Palma — Taxi (1978-1983): The role that made him a star. DeVito won both a Golden Globe and an Emmy for playing the scheming, diminutive dispatcher (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)).
• Harry Wormwood — Matilda (1996): DeVito directed and starred in this adaptation of Roald Dahl’s book, playing the grotesque, car-salesman father. The film remains a cult classic.
• Frank Reynolds — It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2006-present): His longest-running role, now in its 16th season, as the morally bankrupt bar owner.
• Vincent Benedict — Twins (1988): The role that paired him with Schwarzenegger and became a box-office hit ($216 million worldwide). Directed by Harold Ramis.

His net worth is estimated at $80 million, accumulated from acting, directing, producing, and real estate investments. He continues to work steadily, with It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia renewed through at least 2025.

His early career included a breakthrough role in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. He has since directed several films, including Throw Momma from the Train (1987) and Death to Smoochy (2002). Like fellow sitcom legend Tim Allen, DeVito built a career from a distinctive persona that audiences either love or love to hate.

Timeline: Danny DeVito’s life and career

• 1944 — Born in Neptune, New Jersey
• 1975 — Big break in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Biography.com (biographical reference))
• 1978-1983 — Starred as Louie De Palma in Taxi (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
• 1982 — Married Rhea Perlman
• 1988 — Co-starred with Arnold Schwarzenegger in Twins
• 1996 — Directed and starred in Matilda (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
• 2006 — Began role as Frank Reynolds in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
• 2017 — Separated from Rhea Perlman
• 2020 — Revealed cancer diagnosis and recovery
• 2024 — Announced new film The Rift with Schwarzenegger

Frequently asked questions

For anyone searching for a single, reliable answer about Danny DeVito’s height, marriage, health, or friendships, the data is clear: he is 4’10” (with a minor discrepancy between sources), still married but separated, not LGBTQ, recovered from an undisclosed cancer, and actively working on a new film with his friend of 35 years, Arnold Schwarzenegger. The implication for fans and searchers: the most Googled questions about DeVito have answers — they’re just scattered across Wikipedia, IMDb, Biography.com, and news interviews. This guide brings them together in one place.