The Unconventional Love Story: 7 Fascinating Facts About Danny DeVito And Rhea Perlman's Eternal Marriage

Few Hollywood relationships have proven as enduring, or as utterly unconventional, as the lifelong partnership between Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman. As of late 2025, the couple remains legally married despite having separated and lived in separate homes for over a decade. This unique arrangement—a testament to a deep, unbreakable familial and emotional bond—continues to fascinate fans and critics alike, redefining what a successful, long-term celebrity relationship can look like.

Their story is not one of a messy divorce or a bitter split, but rather an evolution of a profound connection that began over five decades ago. They are frequently seen together, share major family milestones, and, as Danny DeVito recently confirmed, remain a cohesive family unit, focused on their three children and their new granddaughter. Their continued closeness proves that sometimes, the end of a marriage doesn't have to mean the end of a family.

Complete Biographical Profile: Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman

The foundation of this enduring partnership is built on a shared history that began long before their respective breakout roles on iconic sitcoms. Both are powerhouse actors, producers, and directors, whose careers have been intertwined for decades.

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• Danny DeVito Full Name: Daniel Michael DeVito Jr.
• Rhea Perlman Full Name: Rhea Jo Perlman
• Danny DeVito Date of Birth: November 17, 1944
• Rhea Perlman Date of Birth: March 31, 1948
• Danny DeVito Place of Birth: Neptune Township, New Jersey, U.S.
• Rhea Perlman Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
• Date Met: January 1971, when Rhea attended a performance of the Off-Broadway play *The Shrinking Bride*, which Danny was starring in.
• Relationship Timeline: They moved in together just two weeks after meeting.
• Date Married: January 28, 1982, after 11 years of dating.
• First Separation: October 2012, after 30 years of marriage. They briefly reconciled in March 2013.
• Second Separation: The couple split again sometime between 2017 and 2018, but have never filed for divorce.
• Children: Lucy Chet DeVito (b. 1983), Grace Fan DeVito (b. 1985), and Jacob "Jake" Daniel DeVito (b. 1987).
• Current Status (2025): Legally married but separated and living apart. They remain a very close family.

The Eternal Marriage: Why They Never Divorced Despite Separation

The most compelling aspect of the DeVito-Perlman saga is their refusal to formally divorce. Despite living separately for over a decade, both actors have publicly stated that they have no plans to legally dissolve their marriage. This decision is rooted in a deep, mutual respect and a commitment to their shared history and family.

"We're Still Married. And We're Still Very Close."

In recent interviews, Rhea Perlman has been candid about her feelings. She stated that while the romance may have changed, the fundamental bond has not. "We’re still married. And we’re still very close," she explained, emphasizing that she has no intention of getting divorced. Danny DeVito echoed this sentiment, confirming in 2024 that they are "doing great" and are "very much still a family."

Their unconventional arrangement prioritizes their roles as parents and now grandparents. They continue to co-parent their three adult children—Lucy, Gracie, and Jake—and share in the joy of their new granddaughter. This focus on the family unit, rather than the traditional definition of a spousal relationship, is the secret to their success. They participate in conversation daily and see each other frequently, proving that separation doesn't have to mean estrangement.

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This unique dynamic has provided a blueprint for other couples who find their romantic paths diverging but wish to preserve their family structure. It’s a powerful statement in Hollywood, where quick, high-profile divorces are the norm, showing that a lifetime partnership can evolve into something far more complex and enduring than a simple marriage certificate.

A Shared Legacy: From Off-Broadway to Jersey Films

Their bond extends far beyond their personal lives and into a formidable professional partnership that has shaped modern cinema. Their collaboration began in the early 1970s in the New York theatre scene, but their most significant joint venture was in film production.

In the mid-1990s, Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman co-founded Jersey Films (later Jersey Group). This production company became a powerhouse in Hollywood, responsible for some of the most culturally significant and commercially successful films of the era. This shared creative ambition and business acumen forged an unbreakable professional link that outlasted their cohabitation.

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Key Projects Produced by Jersey Films:

• *Pulp Fiction* (1994): One of the most influential films of the 1990s, directed by Quentin Tarantino.
• *Get Shorty* (1995): A critical and commercial hit starring DeVito.
• *Matilda* (1996): A family classic where the couple not only produced but also starred together as the hilariously awful Wormwood parents. Danny directed the film, and Rhea played the neglectful Zinnia Wormwood.
• *Erin Brockovich* (2000): A major box office success that earned Julia Roberts an Academy Award.
• *Garden State* (2004): The directorial debut of Zach Braff.
• *Freedom Writers* (2007): A powerful drama starring Hilary Swank.

They also co-owned Jersey Television, which produced the popular Comedy Central series *Reno 911!*. This extensive list of shared professional accomplishments demonstrates a partnership built on mutual respect for each other's talent and vision, adding significant topical authority to their story.

The Children's Careers: Following in Their Parents' Footsteps

Danny and Rhea’s three children—Lucy, Grace, and Jake—have all pursued careers in the entertainment industry, another testament to the creative environment in which they were raised.

Their eldest daughter, Lucy DeVito, is a successful actress who has appeared in films like *Leaves of Grass* and various television projects. She often works in theatre and has collaborated with her father. Grace Fan DeVito is a producer, having worked on films such as *My Girlfriend's Abroad* and the documentary *The Better Angels*. Their son, Jake DeVito, is also a producer and actor, known for his work on *The Better Angels* and *Quicksand*.

The entire family remains incredibly close, often attending red-carpet events together. This shared professional world further solidifies the non-traditional, but deeply connected, family dynamic that Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman have cultivated despite their separation. Their continued presence as a unit, including a notable appearance with their daughter Lucy at the 2024 Emmy Awards, shows their commitment to presenting a united front.

7 Fascinating Facts About Their Unbreakable Bond

Their 50+ year relationship is filled with unique moments and details that highlight their deep connection, from their early days in New York to their current status as Hollywood legends.

1. Instantaneous Cohabitation: After meeting in 1971, Rhea and Danny moved in together just two weeks later, a sign of their immediate and intense connection.
2. The Sitcom Power Couple: They are one of the few celebrity couples to star in two of the most critically acclaimed sitcoms of the 1970s and 1980s: Danny as the irascible dispatcher Louie De Palma on *Taxi*, and Rhea as the sharp-tongued waitress Carla Tortelli on *Cheers*.
3. A Shared *SNL* Hosting Gig: In 1983, at the height of their fame, they co-hosted an episode of *Saturday Night Live* together, showcasing their comedic chemistry to a national audience.
4. The Granddaughter Milestone: A major factor in their continued closeness is their new granddaughter, whom they are both actively involved in co-parenting and sharing, as Danny confirmed in 2024.
5. Rhea's Divorce Stance: Rhea has repeatedly stated that she enjoys the freedom of separation but loves the feeling of being married. She has no intention of ever legally divorcing Danny.
6. The *Matilda* Dynamic: Their on-screen portrayal as the abusive, neglectful Wormwoods in *Matilda* was a masterclass in dark comedy, especially poignant given their real-life roles as loving parents and partners.
7. Daily Communication: Despite living in separate residences, Danny DeVito confirmed that he and Rhea "participate in conversation daily," demonstrating a level of communication that many traditionally married couples don't maintain.