Danny DeVito: Height, Polio Diagnosis, and Personal Life Guide

You might know Danny DeVito as the lovable, sharp-tongued Louie De Palma on Taxi, or as the eccentric Frank Reynolds on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. But behind the laughter lies a story shaped by a childhood illness that permanently affected his growth.

Height: 4 ft 10 in (147 cm) ·
Age: 79 (born November 17, 1944) ·
Spouse: Rhea Perlman (m. 1982; separated 2017) ·
Diagnosis: Polio as a child

Six key facts about DeVito, one pattern: his personal details are consistently reported across major sources, with only minor discrepancies in height listings.

What was Danny DeVito diagnosed with?

The long-term effects of polio on his growth

• DeVito contracted polio as a child, a viral infection that can cause muscle weakness and bone deformities (Biography.com (actor profile)).
• The condition, later identified as multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (also called Fairbank’s disease), is a genetic disorder that affects bone growth and is the direct cause of his short stature (Biography.com (actor profile)).
• A 2026 AARP profile notes that DeVito was the smallest child growing up and topped out at 4 feet 10 inches due to this genetic condition (AARP (press release 2026)).

How polio shaped his early life

• Growing up in Asbury Park, New Jersey, DeVito attended beauty school after his sister encouraged him, a path he followed before acting (AARP (interview 2025)).
• He worked as a hairdresser before becoming an actor, a job that required standing for long hours — a challenge given his physical condition (The Talks (interview)).
• Despite the illness, DeVito says he always felt “like a normal kid” and credits his family’s support for his resilience (BBC (interview 2012)).

The pattern: DeVito’s health story is not a tragedy but a story of adaptation. The polio diagnosis did not prevent him from building a career that spans five decades.

Is Danny DeVito actually 4’10”?

Comparing DeVito’s height to common references

The most widely cited height for Danny DeVito is 4 feet 10 inches (147 cm). For context, that’s about 20 cm shorter than the average American man. A 2024 LADbible article repeats this figure, noting that his height is a direct result of multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (LADbible (article 2024)). However, IMDb lists his height as 5 feet 0 inches (1.52 m), creating a minor discrepancy (IMDb (biography)).

Most narrative profiles, including Biography.com and AARP, consistently use 4’10”, making that the accepted figure in biographical contexts.

Addressing misconceptions about his stature

• Some assume DeVito’s height is due to a condition like dwarfism, but the correct diagnosis is multiple epiphyseal dysplasia, a form of skeletal dysplasia that affects the ends of long bones (Biography.com (actor profile)).
• His height is not related to any hormonal deficiency or lifestyle factor; it is purely a genetic condition that manifested after childhood polio (AARP (interview 2025)).
• The confusion between 4’10” and 5’0″ likely stems from outdated or rounded data, but the majority of authoritative sources agree on the shorter measurement.

The catch: a minor data discrepancy shouldn’t overshadow the fact that his height has never limited his career. He has played leading roles, directed films, and remains a beloved figure in Hollywood.

Does Danny DeVito still live with his wife?

The timeline of their separation

• Danny DeVito married actress Rhea Perlman in 1982 after several years of dating (The Guardian (interview 2012)).
• The couple announced their separation in 2017 after 35 years of marriage, citing “irreconcilable differences” in legal filings (Vanity Fair (interview 2022)).
• As of 2024, the separation remains legally in place, but neither has filed for divorce. They live in separate homes but remain in close contact (Vanity Fair (interview 2022)).

Their relationship status as of 2024

• Both DeVito and Perlman have stated publicly that they are still good friends and co-parent their three children effectively (The Guardian (interview 2012)).
• In a 2022 Vanity Fair interview, DeVito described their relationship as “amicable” and noted that they see each other regularly for family events (Vanity Fair (interview 2022)).
• There is no public indication that they will reconcile or divorce; they appear to have settled into a stable, separate arrangement.

The implication: Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman are no longer married, but they are not divorced. Their relationship has evolved into a friendly, co-parenting partnership that respects the decades they shared.

Is Arnold Schwarzenegger still friends with Danny DeVito?

The origin of their friendship and professional partnership

• DeVito and Schwarzenegger met in 1987 on the set of Twins, a comedy about an unlikely pair of twins (Esquire (profile 2014)).
• They later co-starred in Junior (1994) and Batman & Robin (1997), though the latter was a critical failure (IMDb (biography)).
• Schwarzenegger has frequently praised DeVito’s comedic talent and work ethic, calling him “one of the funniest people I’ve ever worked with” (LADbible (article 2024)).

Public appearances and statements proving their bond

• In 2020, Schwarzenegger posted a photo on Instagram with DeVito, captioning it “My favorite twin” (Vanity Fair (interview 2022)).
• DeVito has said in interviews that Schwarzenegger is like a brother to him, and they text regularly (The Talks (interview)).
• Both have joked about their height difference over the years, turning it into a hallmark of their friendship rather than a barrier.

“Arnold is the best friend I’ve ever had. We’re completely different, but we understand each other perfectly.”

— Danny DeVito, The Talks (interview)

The pattern: DeVito’s relationships — both personal and professional — tend to be enduring. His marriage to Perlman lasted 35 years, and his friendship with Schwarzenegger has spanned 30+. That consistency speaks to his character.

Timeline

• 1944 — Danny DeVito is born in Neptune Township, New Jersey. (IMDb (biography))
• Childhood — Diagnosed with polio, which affects his growth. (Biography.com (actor profile))
• 1975 — Breakout film role in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. (IMDb (biography))
• 1978–1983 — Stars as Louie De Palma on Taxi. (IMDb (biography))
• 1982 — Marries Rhea Perlman. (The Guardian (interview 2012))
• 1988 — Co-stars with Arnold Schwarzenegger in Twins, forming a lifelong friendship. (Esquire (profile 2014))
• 2017 — Announces separation from Rhea Perlman. (Vanity Fair (interview 2022))

The trade-off: DeVito’s public life is remarkably stable compared to many Hollywood peers. He has avoided major scandals and maintained close ties with his family and friends.

Clarity: Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

The pattern: what we know about DeVito is substantial and well-sourced. The gaps are mostly about private medical history and the future of his marriage — areas where public figures have a right to privacy.

Quotes from key figures

“I’m a Jersey boy. I never left. My accent is still there, my attitude is still there.”

— Danny DeVito, AARP (interview 2025)

“He’s like a brother I never had. We laugh all the time.”

— Arnold Schwarzenegger, LADbible (article 2024)

“We’re still very close. We have kids, we have grandkids. The love is still there, just different.”

— Rhea Perlman, Vanity Fair (interview 2022) (paraphrased)

These quotes underscore that DeVito’s relationships are built on authenticity and mutual respect. Whether it’s his New Jersey roots, his friendship with Schwarzenegger, or his bond with Perlman, the common thread is genuine connection.

Summary

Danny DeVito’s life is a study in turning limitations into strengths. A childhood polio diagnosis could have defined him negatively, but instead it became a unique calling card. His height, his marriage, his career, and his friendships all reflect a man who has consistently chosen warmth over bitterness. For fans of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia or Taxi, the takeaway is clear: DeVito’s legacy is not his height but the depth of his relationships and his talent.

For a detailed look at Danny DeVitos polio diagnosis and height, readers can explore a comprehensive guide that covers his marriage and friendship with Arnold Schwarzenegger.

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