Alex Carson
Danny Devito and Rhea Perlman aren’t your typical Hollywood couple. Even though the Always Sunny In Philadelphia actor isn’t living with his long-time love, they still have a special relationship. Perlman says that they have a family with a decades-long history. They share between them the primary reasons that they still have so much respect for each other.
She Told Watch What Happens Live back in 2019 that she doesn’t understand why it’s so hard for others to get along. She and Danny loved each other and during the time that they spend together, they created three beautiful children. Then, she further stated when it comes to almost everything important they are in agreement.
That alone is pretty astonishing. It’s rare for two people to be on the same page after spending so many years with each other. Many people grow apart, but in many ways, Rhea and Danny have only grown closer – despite the fact that their romantic flame isn’t what it used to be.
Danny and the Canadian Bacon star were married for almost 40 years before they split back in 2017. They started dating way back in 1971 They met at an off-Broadway production of The Shrinking Bride. She was there to see her friend perform but she couldn’t seem to keep her eyes off the stocky guy on stage that was very clearly a comedic natural. They ended up meeting up after the show and immediately recognized that they had some serious chemistry.
The sparks were flying. Danny knew he was into her. They spent the entire night talking. Eventually, he worked up the nerve to ask for her number. The fact that she had a Brooklyn number sealed the deal. Reportedly, they moved in with each other just two weeks after they started dating.
Living together was blissful. They discovered that they weren’t just compatible lovers but they also become the best of friends. They lived life to the fullest by each other’s side. Even so, they didn’t tie the knot until 11 years later in 1982.
Forming A Strong Happy Family
It wasn’t very long after they got hitched that the One Flew Over A Cuckoos Nest star and Rhea decided to start their family. In 1983, Danny and his wife welcomed their first daughter into the world, Lucy Devito. Just two years later Rhea gave birth to another daughter that they named Grace DeVito. They had their third and final child, Jake DeVito, in 1987.
Danny and Rhea got the opportunity to work on numerous films and TV shows together over the course of their careers including Taxi, The Ratings Game, and Matilda, just to name a few. Their on-screen chemistry was always very evident. Matilda, based upon the Roald Dahl classic become a huge hit not only for kids but also for adults. Perlman and DeVito obviously work very well together and it showed.
The Devito family was inseparable. Rhea and Danny were frequently seen on the red carpet alongside their equally talented children, who have since followed in their parent’s footsteps. They always seemed like one big happy family.
Even though they share so many happy memories with each other, Danny and Rhea haven’t always had the easiest romantic relationship to navigate. It’s hard to keep that spark alive after being together for literally decades. It’s hard enough to have a roommate for that many years.
Fortunately, Rhea and Danny are rational people. They knew when to give each other the space that they needed so as to salvage the relationship that they did still have. They split for the first time in 2012 after 40 years of marriage. After months apart, they began to miss each other’s company. They worked things out and go back together in March of 2013.
But it seems like whatever reconciliation they were able to arrive at then was just a band-aid solution because in 2017 they split once again -this time for good. Even though they have absolutely no plans of getting back together anytime soon, Rhea has stated that she could never divorce him. They just don’t want to live with each other.
She told Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live that after 40 years of marriage that they had to do something else. She confirmed that they weren’t planning on getting a divorce and that their separation was amicable. They may live apart, but they still see each other on a regular basis.
It takes a lot of self-awareness and honest communication to realize that what was best for both of them was to live apart. It proved that their priorities are in the right place. If they had remained together and ignored their needs, they might not have the healthy – yet distanced – relationship that they have today.
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And make sure you stick around to find out what the DeVito kids are up to these days.
Rhea Is An Award-Winning Actress
You’re probably readily aware of how successful of an actor, comedian, and producer Danny Devito is, but his estranged wife Rhea is very talented as well. Her credits include films like Matilda, Canadian Bacon, Sunset Park, and I’ll See You In My Dreams –just to name a few.
Rhea’s work in film and television has earned her multiple Emmys. She won the coveted award several times for her work on Cheers receiving the recognition for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 1984, 85, 86, and 89. Additionally, she has been nominated for more Golden Globes than we have time to list.
She Has Modest Roots – And A Talented Family
Perlman grew up in Brooklyn. She was born in Coney Island on March 31, 1948. Her father, Phillip Perlman, was a Polish immigrant who managed a Doll factory. Her mother, Adele was a bookkeeper. While her family certainly wasn’t suffering, they weren’t the richest folks on the block either.
Her sister, Helde. Also found a career in television. She’s a writer and producer who’s worked on shows like Frasier, Cheers, and The Tracey Ullman Show. Once his daughters both got into show business, Rhea’s parents both moved to LA as well. After her father appeared as an extra on Cheers, he managed to pursue a second career of sorts as a character actor. He ended up appearing in quite a few films and TV shows including Hoffa, Frasier, and Throw Momma from the Train.
The DeVito Kids Consider Their Last Name A Blessing And A Curse
Like we already touched on before, the DeVito kids grew up watching their parents hone their craft and when it came time for them to pave their own path, they all found their own unique place in the entertainment industry. Having the surname DeVito for sure has opened some doors for them. Everyone knows what family they are from and who their father is the second they walk into a room.
One of the only times that this can be troubling is in the dating realm. Lucy, in particular, has had trouble with this specific first-world problem. It’s kind of hard to be anonymous when people know that you are the daughter of one of the biggest names in Hollywood. The only way that she’s been able to overcome this hurdle is by going on more blind dates.
We don’t blame her though. It has to put a lot of pressure on someone when their date knows that they are from Hollywood royalty. If it were me, I would just come up with an alias to use until things get more serious.
Danny’s Walk Of Fame Star
Back in 2011, Rhea was by her husband’s side when he was presented with the 2,445th star on Hollywood’s prestigious walk of fame. Lucy who was 28 at the time, Grace who was 26 and 23-year-old Jacob were also present for the historic event. During his acceptance speech, DeVito joked that he will take very good care of the star.
Acting Is In Their Blood
Lucy Devito, the eldest of the DeVito siblings, received her degree in Theater at Brown University in 2005. Her first credited film role was in 2007s Nobel Son. She followed that up with 2009s Leaves of Grass alongside Edward Norton and Richard Dreyfuss. More Recently she played Irene on Prime Video’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. She’s also had small roles in films like Jumanji: The Next Level and Tim Burton’s 2019 re-envisioning of Dumbo.
Lucy’s younger sister, Grace, is also super talented. She’s appeared in films such as My Girlfriend Abroad, Bloom and Amboy. In addition to acting, she is also a well-known painter. Jacob, the youngest DeVito, has also had his fair share of acting credits. His first credited film role was in 2005s Pieces of a Dream. In recent years he has found that he enjoys behind-the-scenes production more than acting. As a producer, he has worked on films like The Better Angels and Quicksand.
Best Friends Or Something More?
Since their separation, Danny has repeatedly been asked by members of the press about his relationship with Rhea. His response is nearly always the same. According to him, they are better friends than they’ve been in years. The last few years of living with each other were hard, but their friendship has bloomed since they made the decision to live apart.
In March of 2020, Danny and Rhea were spotted grabbing a bite to eat with each other at a popular vegan restaurant in LA. DeVito was photographed with a huge grin on his face following their outing. Some have speculated that their relationship might just be on the mend once again, or maybe they were just two friends grabbing dinner together. Only time will tell.
Well, regardless of whether they stay separated or get back together all that really matters is that they are happy. Love takes on many forms. Two people don’t have to cohabitate to care deeply for each other, but what”s your opinion? Do you think that they should stay apart or should they try to rekindle their flame and give their marriage another shot? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
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