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The 5 Shocking Roles Where Danny DeVito Had Hair (And His Secret Life As A Hairdresser)

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Danny DeVito's iconic look—short stature, raspy voice, and a signature bald or closely-shaved head—is as recognizable in Hollywood as any major landmark. However, for a brief period in his early career, the beloved actor sported a full, though already receding, head of hair, a look that has become a viral curiosity for fans today. As of this December 2025, with DeVito recently celebrating his 81st birthday, the rare images of him with a noticeable hairline serve as a fascinating time capsule of his pre-stardom life, revealing a surprising connection to the world of hair styling that predates his acting fame.

The quest to find "Danny DeVito with hair" leads not just to a few obscure film roles, but to a completely different professional life. Before he was the cynical dispatcher Louie De Palma on *Taxi* or the chaotic Frank Reynolds on *It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia*, Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. was a licensed beautician. This incredible, little-known detail provides the ultimate context for the internet's obsession with his hair—he may have lost his own, but he was a master of styling everyone else's.

Daniel Michael DeVito Jr.: A Brief Biography and Core Entities

Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. is an American actor, comedian, producer, and director, known for his versatile career spanning over five decades. His distinctive physical appearance, including his short stature (4 feet 10 inches) and baldness, became a hallmark of his comedic and dramatic roles.

  • Full Name: Daniel Michael DeVito Jr.
  • Born: November 17, 1944, in Neptune Township, New Jersey, U.S.
  • Age (as of December 2025): 81
  • Spouse/Partner: Rhea Perlman (married 1982; separated 2012, 2017)
  • Children: Lucy DeVito, Grace DeVito, and Jake DeVito
  • Iconic TV Roles: Louie De Palma (*Taxi*), Frank Reynolds (*It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia*)
  • Iconic Film Roles: Martini (*One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest*), The Penguin (*Batman Returns*), Arnold Schwarzenegger's twin (*Twins*), Harry Wormwood (*Matilda*), The Head (*The Lorax*)
  • Education: Graduated from Oratory Preparatory School in 1962; attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA) in New York.
  • Unique Fact: Before AADA, he worked as a licensed beautician/hairdresser.

From Beautician to Big Screen: The Hairdresser Who Became a Star

The most shocking and relevant detail in the search for "Danny DeVito with hair" is not a specific photo, but his entire pre-Hollywood profession. In his late teens, DeVito was persuaded by his sister to work at her beauty salon in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

The Unexpected Path to a Hair License

DeVito's initial plan was to learn makeup application at the beauty school to help with his sister's business. However, he quickly found himself immersed in all aspects of cosmetology.

  • Training: He was taught how to cut hair, do perms, pin curls, and finger waves by his mother and aunts, who also worked at the salon.
  • Licensing: He attended the Wilfred Academy of Hair and Beauty Culture and eventually became a licensed beautician.
  • The Macabre Twist: In a truly bizarre and unique revelation, DeVito has spoken about a period where his work included styling the hair of deceased women at a local funeral parlor, a job he took to make extra money.

This experience, while unusual, directly led him to his acting career. He realized the beauty school also offered acting classes at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA), which he attended to learn theatrical makeup. It was there that he met his future wife, Rhea Perlman, and his longtime friend, Michael Douglas, setting his life on a new, world-famous trajectory.

The Rare Sight: Danny DeVito's Hair in Early Filmography

By the time DeVito gained prominence in the late 1970s, his hair loss was already significant, making his bald head a defining characteristic. This is why photos of him with a "full head of hair" are so rare—they are mostly confined to his early 30s and his first major cinematic roles.

1. Martini in *One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest* (1975)

This Oscar-winning film, directed by Miloš Forman, is arguably the most famous example of DeVito with hair. Playing the character Martini, a committed patient in a mental institution, DeVito is seen with a noticeable, though already thinning, mop of dark hair.

  • The Look: His hair is dark, slightly messy, and covers his scalp, a stark contrast to his later look.
  • The Timeline: DeVito was around 31 years old during the film's release, indicating his hair loss was a gradual process that accelerated shortly thereafter.
  • Key Connection: DeVito was cast in the film by his old friend Jack Nicholson, who starred as Randle McMurphy.

2. *Goin' South* (1978)

Following the success of *Cuckoo's Nest*, DeVito appeared in the Western comedy *Goin' South*, directed by and starring Jack Nicholson. While not widely recognized for this role, it captures him just before his television breakthrough, still retaining a modest amount of hair.

3. Louie De Palma in *Taxi* (1978–1983)

While the character Louie De Palma is famous for his bald head, the series began just as DeVito's hair loss was nearing completion. Early promotional photos and the first season show him with a very distinct receding hairline, solidifying the transition to his signature look. The role of the tyrannical, short-tempered taxi dispatcher made him a household name, and his baldness became integral to the character's abrasive persona.

4. Harry Wormwood in *Matilda* (1996)

In this film, which DeVito also directed and produced, his character's hair is a major plot point. While he is bald for most of the movie, his character, the sleazy car salesman Harry Wormwood, suffers a famous prank where his hair is bleached blonde by his daughter, Matilda.

  • The Role of Hair: The blonde hair is a wig, used for comedic effect, but it highlights how the absence of hair is fundamental to his typical on-screen identity.
  • Family Connection: His real-life wife, Rhea Perlman, played his on-screen wife, Zinnia Wormwood.

5. The Penguin in *Batman Returns* (1992)

For his iconic portrayal of Oswald Cobblepot, The Penguin, director Tim Burton wanted a specific, grotesque look. DeVito's head was completely shaved for the role, and a specialized hairpiece was added to create the character's sparse, greasy, and wild-looking locks, showcasing an extreme transformation that further cemented his willingness to use his baldness for dramatic effect.

The Topical Authority: Why His Hairline Matters to His Brand

The fascination with "Danny DeVito with hair" stems from the power of his current, highly specific brand. His short stature and bald head are not limitations; they are essential parts of his comedic and dramatic genius. His willingness to embrace his appearance has led to some of his most memorable roles, from the grotesque Penguin to the unhinged Frank Reynolds.

DeVito's journey from a licensed beautician styling hair—even for the deceased—to a global superstar who lost his own hair is a perfect Hollywood irony. It adds a layer of depth to his public persona, proving that the man who became famous for his lack of hair was once a professional expert in the field. This unique background is the final, compelling piece of the puzzle that makes the rare photos of a younger, hairier Danny DeVito so captivating to fans and film historians alike.

danny devito with hair
danny devito with hair

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