Add Rhea Perlman (64) and Danny DeVito (67) to the list of celebrities with long-standing marriages who are calling it quits. The couple surprised many when they announced that after 40 years together, 30 years of marriage, three kids and a successful production company, they are divorcing. No reason was given for the split.
I grew up watching Perlman as the cranky waitress in Cheers and DeVito in re-runs as the nasty dispatch operator on Taxi. The two comic actors seemed so perfectly suited for each other. Not just because of the hilariously nasty characters they both portrayed on-screen, but also because of their tiny stature and comic timing in real-life.
They famously moved in together after dating for only two weeks in 1970 and married in 1982.
Shortly after their marriage, in an interview with People magazine, Perlman said DeVito “was a lot more fun and a lot more sexy” than men she had previously dated, while DeVito said: “She was vibrant, with a great sense of humor, and real warm.”
Years later, DeVito reportedly said that the secret to his long-lasting marriage was “Love. Love. I mean, really. You know what? Who knows? The secret to success is to try to never figure that out.”
Looks like this couple doesn’t get a Hollywood ending and joins several others in recent memory who surprised us with breaking up after what looked like many happy years together:
Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins (23 years)
Al and Tipper Gore (40 years)
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver (25 years)
Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman (11 years)
Let’s hope that other Hollywood marriage institution – Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith stick it out. In Hollywood, there seem to be few happy endings these days.
That’s interesting Sara. A wondering eye, eh? That IS a surprise if that’s the case. We only see the public image though, so who ever really knows what goes on behind closed doors.
Well, ladies everywhere: Danny DeVito is now single! 😉
totally sad – I read yesterday that he’s got a bit of a wandering eye….
Danny DeVito??
Yeah, that was possibly one of the last marriages I ever thought would end. Le sigh. Le sad for them.
Yeah, I gotta say, this one makes me sad. If these two can’t make it after all these years together as a successful couple in Hollywood, who can?
I always feel sad when a hollywood marriage ends in divorce. Danny and Rhea certainly seemed like a good match. I can’t imagine how difficult it must for them to have to end their marriage in the public eye.