Summary
- Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman's on-screen collaborations are always fun, such as in films like "Matilda" and "The Ratings Game."
- Despite having small roles, DeVito and Perlman elevate the comedy in "10 Items Or Less" with their funny and charming portrayal of Big D and Mrs. D.
- Perlman's guest appearance on "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" in 2023 continued their history of working together on projects for film and television.
Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman's history extends much further back than their Hollywood careers and on-screen collaborations, but they have appeared in eight movies and TV shows together. Originally, the pair began dating in 1971, going on to get married in 1982 and having three children together. After 30 years of marriage and more than 40 years together, the pair decided to separate in 2012 but appeared to overcome their issues and got back together in 2013 before separating again in 2017. Despite the challenges, Perlman revealed in June 2023 that they are still married and do not intend to get a divorce.
Regardless of their personal lives, this long-standing connection and magnetic pull between the two has certainly made an impact on their acting careers. Both DeVito and Perlman have performed in large roles separately, such as the former's multiple parts in Tim Burton movies and the latter's lengthy stint on the sitcom Cheers. More recently, Perlman portrayed doll maker Ruth Handler in Barbie while DeVito continued his role in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Yet, they have also shared the screen on a number of occasions, with some of these projects being more memorable than others.
8 Swap Meet
Swap Meet is a 1979 raunchy teen comedy movie created purely for lusty entertainment. Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman appear in fairly small bit roles and are not a part of the main body of the film. This certainly doesn't qualify as a stand-out performance for either, and the movie itself has only ever received negative reviews.
7 My Little Pony: The Movie (1986)
Both DeVito and Perlman have fairly prominent roles in the 1986 My Little Pony: The Movie. DeVito voices the Grundle King, leader of a pack of small creatures who are clumsy and odd, but for the most part wholesome. Perlman is the voice of Reeka, one of the secondary antagonists trying to oppose the ponies on their adventure. As an animated children's film, this isn't the most impressive performance from DeVito and Perlman, but there is nothing inherently negative about it either.
6 10 Items Or Less
10 Items Or Less is a heartwarming film starring Morgan Freeman opposite Paz Vega as an actor preparing for a role who meets a young shop assistant from the grocery store, and they go on an adventure to learn about each other. The film has received largely positive reviews, however, DeVito and Perlman play a very small role as Big D and Mrs. D. The couple meet the protagonists as they are driving in a car alongside them before having a brief interaction. The scene is funny and the couple play off one another well displaying just a taste of their on-screen chemistry.
5 It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia
It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia has established a sizable cult following that has propelled it forward from its humble beginnings in 2005 to the present. The show's 16th season aired in 2023 and at least two more seasons have been green-lit for the future. Of the 172 episodes, DeVito has appeared in 163 of them and his role is firmly established as the morally questionable, down-on-his-luck stepfather to Dennis and Dee.
Despite DeVito's involvement in the show and the great collaborations between Perlman and DeVito, Rhea Perlman didn't make a guest appearance on the show until 2023, season 16, episode 3, "The Gang Gets Cursed". Perlman plays Bertha Fussy in a small cameo role. The success of the show and DeVito's performance throughout earned It's Always Sunny this position in the ranking.
4 Taxi
Taxi ran from 1978 to 1983 and earned largely critical success. DeVito appears as one of the main cast and is in every single episode throughout the five-season run. The series follows a group of employees from a New York taxicab service as they go about their days and dream big.
Perlman appears in just 6 of the 114 episodes, but her story is integrally tied to DeVito's as the pair have an onscreen long-term relationship. Louie (DeVito) and Zena (Perlman) have a whirlwind romance across the series as they build a relationship and then have an explosive breakup. The final episode where both appear sees Louie overcome his jealousy and pain at Zena having moved on as he decides to attend her wedding for closure.
3 Hot Dogs For Gauguin
Hot Dogs For Gaugin is a student film from 1972 directed by Martin Brest, a then-student at NYU who went on to direct films like Beverly Hills Cop and Midnight Run. DeVito plays a down-on-his-luck photographer who comes up with a plot to stage a photo worth a fortune by blowing up the Statue of Liberty. DeVito may have been at the beginning of his acting career but even in this short film, his talent for expressive acting and charming charisma make his character likable despite his horrible intentions.
The film is comical, and well-written, with creative shots as well as being punctuated by an excellent soundtrack that enhances every scene. Perlman may only have a small cameo role in the film as she is one-half of a couple on a train, but she lifts the scene she features in. The quality of the project despite its low budget earned it a high ranking on this list.
2 The Ratings Game
In 1984, DeVito directed and starred in this made-for-TV movie alongside his real-life wife. The Ratings Game follows Vic DeSalvo (DeVito), a successful businessman who made a fortune in the trucking business before moving to Hollywood to make a name in the film industry. Perlman plays Francine Kester who works for a ratings agency and schemes with Vic to help turn every show he puts out into a hit. This was the first Original film from Showtime and DeVito's directorial debut. The chemistry is apparent between the recently married couple, and both characters shine playing to their strengths with comedy, romance, and sly conning, a combination which can also be seen in their best performance together.
1 Matilda
Matilda stars Mara Wilson as a gifted young girl surrounded by terrible adults who appear to see her as nothing more than an inconvenience and a nuisance. DeVito and Perlman appear here as the selfish and detestable parents of Matilda, Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood. DeVito makes an excellent conning car sales agent opposite his wife both onscreen and off as she delivers an incredible performance as the selfish, greedy, and utterly vain mother. Neither of them returned for the Matilda reboot cast.
The pair bring the classic Roald Dahl characters to life and their chemistry carries into their performance. The role seems to perfectly fit into the pairs' wheelhouse and due to their strong performance and the enduring success of the film, Matilda comfortably takes first place as the best project featuring both Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman.