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Danny DeVito made a stunning Broadway debut that nobody expected. The 80-year-old comedy legend took on Arthur Miller’s The Price in spring 2017, earning his first Tony nomination and proving that serious theatre was his ultimate prize.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Broadway Debut: March 16, 2017 at American Airlines Theatre
- Role: Gregory Solomon, an 89-year-old furniture dealer with sharp wit
- Co-Stars: Mark Ruffalo, Tony Shalhoub, and Jessica Hecht in the Roundabout production
- Achievement: Earned Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play
From Hollywood Icon to Stage Powerhouse
Danny DeVito spent decades dominating Hollywood, from his legendary role in Taxi to directing and starring in classics like Matilda and Batman Returns. Yet he’d never set foot on a Broadway stage until 2017, at an age when most performers might be winding down. The golden-voiced actor brought gravitas and comedy to Miller’s masterpiece about two brothers reuniting in an attic filled with family furniture. His performance showed audiences why live theatre demands a completely different approach than film or television.
Director Terry Kinney, co-founder of Steppenwolf Theatre, assembled a powerhouse cast to bring Miller’s 1968 classic back to Broadway. The chemistry between DeVito as the wisecre Solomon and Ruffalo as the conflicted Victor Franz created magic that critics couldn’t ignore. DeVito’s ability to deliver comedic timing while exploring deeper human tragedy demonstrated a range most actors develop over an entire lifetime.
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| Detail | Information |
| Theatre | American Airlines Theatre |
| Run Dates | February 16 (previews), March 16 (opening) to May 14, 2017 |
| Company | Roundabout Theatre Company |
| Director | Terry Kinney (Steppenwolf co-founder) |
The Magic of Live Theatre Performance
When DeVito took on Gregory Solomon, he wasn’t just reading lines on stage. The character is a beloved rogue, an 89-year-old Jewish immigrant and furniture dealer who has seen the world and lost everything before arriving at that attic. DeVito brought vulnerability and mischief to Solomon’s final major deal, making audiences laugh and cry in equal measure. He famously performed a scene involving hard-boiled eggs that became instantly iconic among theatergoers.
In interviews, DeVito revealed his genuine love for the unpredictability of live theatre. Unlike film, where you can edit and retake, Broadway demands total presence every single night. He explained that every audience is different, and actors must adjust their performance while staying true to Arthur Miller’s text. This dynamic energy, the synergy between performer and viewer, became addictive to an actor who had spent most of his career behind cameras.
Why Critics Hailed DeVito’s Breakthrough
When The Price opened on March 16, 2017, theatre critics were astonished by DeVito’s commitment and depth. Publications praised his ability to deliver comedic moments without undermining the play’s deeper examination of family sacrifice. Solomon becomes the emotional center of Miller’s play, the one character who truly laughs last, and DeVito understood that assignment completely.
His Tony nomination was richly deserved, proving that Broadway respects serious talent regardless of where you made your name. DeVito shared the stage with Mark Ruffalo (Victor Franz), Tony Shalhoub (Walter Franz), and Jessica Hecht (Esther Franz), creating a tight ensemble that reminded audiences why Arthur Miller’s plays endure. The limited nine-week run became one of spring 2017’s hottest Broadway events.
“I love being there, being with the audience and working with the actors. When you have a good play like that and then add the fact that you’re in New York to it, it sends it through the roof!”
— Danny DeVito, Tony-nominated actor
A Second Act Nobody Anticipated
What makes DeVito’s Broadway journey remarkable is its timing and audacity. He wasn’t a young actor breaking through; he was an entertainment veteran with decades of success behind him. His decision to tackle Arthur Miller’s monolith role showed extraordinary confidence and hunger. He previously made his West End debut in The Sunshine Boys (2012), but Broadway remained the unconquered territory.
Since his breakthrough theatrical performance, DeVito has continued pursuing stage work, demonstrating that his love for live theatre runs deeper than a one-time experiment. The actor credits the immediate feedback from audiences and the camaraderie with fellow performers as transformative experiences that reminded him why acting matters. At an age when many stars coast on reputation, DeVito challenged himself in ways that inspired a generation of actors.
Sources
- Playbill – Comprehensive coverage of Mark Ruffalo and Danny DeVito’s Broadway revival production photos and news
- New York Theatre Guide – Tony-nominee Danny DeVito interview discussing his Broadway debut and live theatre experience
- Broadway.com – Danny DeVito Broadway profile and performance recognition from major theatre awards
