Danny DeVito's Most Memorable Roles: From 'Batman Returns' to 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'

01of 07Dumbo(2019)DisneyDeVito, 74, pairs up with hisBatman Returnsdirector Tim Burton for Disney’s latest live-action retelling of a classic animated tale. In the film, which opens Friday, DeVito plays Max Medici, the ambitious leader of a circus troupe who has it out for the titular elephant — until he learns the animal can fly.

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Dumbo(2019)

Disney

DeVito, 74, pairs up with hisBatman Returnsdirector Tim Burton for Disney’s latest live-action retelling of a classic animated tale. In the film, which opens Friday, DeVito plays Max Medici, the ambitious leader of a circus troupe who has it out for the titular elephant — until he learns the animal can fly.

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Batman Returns(1992)

DeVito transformed himself to play The Penguin, the tragic villain at the center of Burton’s sequel to his hit comic book film. With a pale complexion, a prosthetic nose and sharp teeth, DeVito looks more penguin than human.He was so commited to the role, he ate real cold dead fish in character.

03of 07Matilda(1996)TriStar/courtesy Everett CollectionDeVito paired up with ex Rhea Perlman to play the evil parents to the titular child genius (Mara Wilson). The actor also directed the Roald Dahl adaptation.

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Matilda(1996)

TriStar/courtesy Everett Collection

DeVito paired up with ex Rhea Perlman to play the evil parents to the titular child genius (Mara Wilson). The actor also directed the Roald Dahl adaptation.

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Taxi(1978-1983)

Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection

05of 07It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia(2005-)Rob McElhenney, Danny DeVito, Kaitlin Olson, Glenn Howerton in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.Patrick McElhenney/FXXThis long-running series about a gang of five misfit friends (DeVito, Glenn Howerton, Kaitlin Olson, Charlie Day and Rob McElhenney) has kept DeVito busy for over a decade.

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It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia(2005-)

Rob McElhenney, Danny DeVito, Kaitlin Olson, Glenn Howerton in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.Patrick McElhenney/FXX

This long-running series about a gang of five misfit friends (DeVito, Glenn Howerton, Kaitlin Olson, Charlie Day and Rob McElhenney) has kept DeVito busy for over a decade.

06of 07One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest(1975)One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.EverettDeVito had one of his first film roles in this Jack Nicholson-led Oscar sensation. The film, fromAmadeusfilmmaker Milos Forman, centers on a man (Nicholson) who pleads insanity after getting into trouble with the law and lands in a mental institution. DeVito plays one of the patients who befriends Nicholson’s character.

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One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest(1975)

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.Everett

DeVito had one of his first film roles in this Jack Nicholson-led Oscar sensation. The film, fromAmadeusfilmmaker Milos Forman, centers on a man (Nicholson) who pleads insanity after getting into trouble with the law and lands in a mental institution. DeVito plays one of the patients who befriends Nicholson’s character.

07of 07Twins(1988)Universal/courtesy Everett CollectionIn one of the most unlikely film pairings ever, DeVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger play twins separated at birth in Ivan Reitman’s comedy.

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Twins(1988)

Universal/courtesy Everett Collection

In one of the most unlikely film pairings ever, DeVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger play twins separated at birth in Ivan Reitman’s comedy.

source: people.com