Danny DeVito Gets Own Day In New Jersey
Veteran actor Danny DeVito finally receives the lifelong recognition he deserved. DeVito is getting his own day of celebration in his hometown.
A Welcome Return
DeVito was in Asbury Park, New Jersey Saturday evening for the Asbury Music and Film Festival. The event aims to raise funds for the arts education of kids in the city. The actor was thrilled to be back.
"I always love coming home. I feel like I'm home," DeVito said onstage while he was interviewed by a local reporter.
DeVito currently stars in hit comedy series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. His lengthy and celebrated career took in movies such as Romancing the Stone, Twins, and his iconic take on the role of The Penguin in Tim Burton's Batman Returns. His TV works include Taxi and his hilarious cameo as a stripper on Friends.
The prolific actor has also helmed several projects of his own over the years, which include 1996 kids classic Matilda, and 2002 cult hit Death to Smoochy. He also served as producer on Pulp Fiction, Erin Brockovich, and Garden State, which was naturally filmed and set in his home state.
Asbury Park shaped who he is as a person thanks to the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean.
"I'd get on my bike and get on Second Avenue and just ride, without any kind of inhibitions, get down to that beach put that bike in a rack, and jump over the railing, let the guard chase you, and just jump in. It's kind of a freeing kind of thing, that's kind of what the boardwalk was for me in Asbury Park," DeVito explained.
The interview took in his varied career across TV, movies, and theater. DeVito even demonstrated his walk from Batman Returns for the assembled crowd at one point.
Happy Danny DeVito Day
The Asbury Park City Council honored DeVito by declaring his birthday, Nov. 17, as "Danny DeVito Day." Phil Murphy, the New Jersey governor, made the official proclamation on the night, to recognize the actor for his contribution to the arts community.
"Danny has never forgotten where he came from. His longevity has allowed him to reach that rare pinnacle where people from different generations have a Danny DeVito moment," he said.
Beloved actor DeVito was born in Neptune Township and raised in Asbury Park. He remains heavily involved with the artistic community in his hometown. Murphy also heralded his significant contributions there, especially for promoting environmental causes.
