Tony Danza
| Tony Danza | |
|---|---|
 Tony Danza.jpg Danza in 2003 | |
| Born | Antonio Salvatore Iadanza April 21, 1951 (age 73) Brooklyn, New York City |
| 💼 Occupation | Actor, television personality, tap dancer, boxer, teacher |
| 📆 Years active | 1978–present |
| 👩 Spouse(s) | Rhonda Yeoman (m. 1970; div. 1974) Tracy Robinson (m. 1986; div. 2013) |
| 👶 Children | 4 |
Tony Danza (born Antonio Salvatore Iadanza; April 21, 1951)[1] is an American actor, television personality, tap dancer, boxer and teacher who starred on the TV series Taxi and Who's the Boss?, for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award and four Golden Globe Awards. In 1998, Danza won the People's Choice Award for Favorite Male Performer in a New Television Series for his work on the 1997 sitcom The Tony Danza Show (not to be confused with his 2004–2006 daytime variety talk show of the same name). He has also appeared in films such as Don Jon, Angels in the Outfield, The Hollywood Knights, Going Ape! and Crash.
Biography[edit]
Danza was born in Brooklyn, New York,[1] to parents Anne Cammisa (1925–1993) and Matty Anthony Iadanza (1920–1983).[2] His mother was a bookkeeper and his father worked as a waste collector in Brooklyn.[1][3] Danza's father was of Italian ancestry and Danza's mother was an immigrant from the town of Campobello di Mazara in the Sicilian province of Trapani.[2][4] He has a younger brother, Matty Jr. (born 1954), a Los Angeles restaurant owner.[5] He lived in East New York, Brooklyn[6] until he was 14, and his family relocated to Malverne, New York, on Long Island. Danza attended Malverne Senior High School, graduating in 1968.[7] In the first episode of his show Teach: Tony Danza, Danza describes himself as a "bad student" in high school. He earned a bachelor's degree in history in 1972 from the University of Dubuque,[8] which he attended on a wrestling scholarship. In 1975, as a joke, Danza's friends entered him in the New York City Golden Gloves. After knocking out his first six opponents all in the first round, Danza was knocked out in the finals.[9]
During his first year of college, he had the Robert Crumb "Keep on Truckin'" character tattooed on his upper right arm. In a 1985 interview in Us Weekly magazine, Danza remarked, "I was playing pool with a guy who had all these tattoos, and I wanted to be friends."[10] Danza also sports a "Keep Punching" boxing gloves tattoo on his right shoulder as well as "Tracy", his (former) wife's name, on his chest.[11] In college, Danza met and married his first wife.
Career[edit]
Boxer[edit]
Danza was a professional boxer with a record of 9–3 (9 knockouts, 7 in the first round), with all but one of his fights, wins and losses, ending in a knockout, including three technical knockouts.[12]
Acting and show business[edit]
Shortly after his college graduation from the University of Dubuque, Danza was discovered by a producer at a boxing gymnasium in New York.[13] He then earned a spot on the television show Taxi, playing a cab driver and part-time boxer Tony Banta, and later starred on Who's the Boss?, in which he portrayed a former baseball player, housekeeper, and single father Tony Micelli. For his contribution to the television industry, in 1988, Danza was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard. Danza also plays the role of a baseball player in Angels in the Outfield (1994).
Danza also starred in the short-lived sitcoms Hudson Street (1995) and The Tony Danza Show (1997), not to be confused with his 2004–2006 talk show, The Tony Danza Show. He had a role in the TV drama Family Law from 2000 until 2002.
He was nominated for an Emmy Award[14] for a guest-starring 1998 role in the TV series The Practice. His movie debut was in the comedy The Hollywood Knights (1980), which was followed by Going Ape! (1981). He received critical acclaim for his performance in the 1999 Broadway revival of the Eugene O'Neill play The Iceman Cometh. In 2002, Danza released his debut album The House I Live In as a 1950s-style crooner.[15]
Danza hosted his own TV talk show, The Tony Danza Show, that was produced each weekday morning in his hometown of New York and was syndicated across the US. On May 9, 2005, during a go-kart race with NASCAR star Rusty Wallace, who was a guest on the show, Danza's kart flipped after Wallace accidentally bumped him.[16] Neither he nor Wallace was wearing a helmet at the time, but both were uninjured. Danza returned to go-kart racing on October 20, 2005, to challenge IndyCar driver Danica Patrick, but his brakes malfunctioned and he skidded into a wall, unharmed. His daytime talk show ended in May 2006; the last live episode aired on May 26, 2006.[citation needed]
He starred on Broadway as Max Bialystock in The Producers, from December 19, 2006, to March 11, 2007,[17] and reprised his role at the Paris Las Vegas from August 13, 2007,[18] to February 9, 2008.[19]
Danza was to host the 4th season of The Contender in 2008.[20]
A Broadway adaptation of 1992 film Honeymoon in Vegas opened on a pre-Broadway run at New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse on September 26, 2013, co-starring Danza and Tony nominee Rob McClure, with Gary Griffin directing.[21] Danza was inducted into the Ride of Fame in December 2014, and the double-decker sightseeing bus commemorated his role in the Broadway musical.[22]
Danza starred as Tony Caruso Sr. in the 2018 Netflix series, The Good Cop as "a disgraced, former NYPD officer who never followed the rules." It was cancelled after one season.[23][24]
Teaching[edit]
During the 2009–2010 school year Danza filmed A&E reality show Teach: Tony Danza, in which he co-instructed a 10th grade English class at Northeast High School in Philadelphia. It premiered on October 1, 2010. The book I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had: My Year as a Rookie Teacher at Northeast High (ISBN 9780307887863 Search this book on 
.), which was released in 2012, was based on his year of teaching.
Personal life[edit]
Danza's first marriage was to Rhonda Yeoman. They wed in 1970 and divorced in 1974. Their son Marc appeared with Tony on Taxi in two episodes as Brian Sims. Tony and Rhonda reconciled in 1983 and had a daughter.[25]
In 1986, Danza married Tracy Robinson. The couple separated in 2006 and filed for divorce on March 10, 2011; the divorce was finalized on February 6, 2013.[26][27] They have two daughters.[25]
In 2008, Danza and his son Marc published a cookbook, Don't Fill Up on the Antipasto: Tony Danza's Father-Son Cookbook.[28]
Boxing record[edit]
Source:[29]
| Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 9–3 | Johnny Heard | KO | 3 (8) | 0:45 | May 14, 1979 | Phoenix, Arizona, US | |
| Win | 8–3 | Max Hord | KO | 1 (10) | April 27, 1979 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York City | ||
| Win | 7–3 | Billy Perez | KO | 1 (8) | 0:44 | May 26, 1978 | Brooklyn, New York City | |
| Win | 6–3 | Tony Rodriguez | KO | 1 (6) | April 9, 1978 | Brooklyn, New York City | ||
| Win | 5–3 | Ray Bryant | KO | 1 (8) | December 21, 1977 | Roll-a-Rama, Brooklyn, New York City | ||
| Loss | 4–3 | Morris Watkins | TKO | 1 (8) | November 9, 1977 | Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York City | ||
| Win | 4–2 | Ralph Garcia | TKO | 1 (8) | September 9, 1977 | Nanuet, New York City | ||
| Win | 3–2 | Joey Mascetti | TKO | 1 (6) | May 24, 1977 | Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York City | ||
| Win | 2–2 | Tom Molloy | KO | 3 (6) | 1:24 | May 6, 1977 | Long Island Arena, Commack, New York City | |
| Loss | 1–2 | Barry Hill | Points | 4 | April 21, 1977 | Dover, New Jersey, USA | ||
| Loss | 1–1 | John LoCicero | KO | 1 (4) | October 1, 1976 | Sunnyside Gardens, Queens, New York City | ||
| Win | 1–0 | Earl Harris | KO | 1 (4) | August 13, 1976 | New York City |
Filmography[edit]
Film[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | The Hollywood Knights | Tony | |
| 1981 | Going Ape! | Tony | |
| 1984 | Cannonball Run II | Tony | |
| 1988 | Mr. Thompson and His Bananas | Tony Thompson | |
| 1988 | Wall of Tyranny (a.k.a. Freedom Fighter) | Tony Ross | |
| 1989 | She's Out of Control | Doug Simpson | Nominated—Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor |
| 1989 | I'm from Hollywood | Himself | |
| 1994 | Angels in the Outfield | Mel Clark | |
| 1996 | Illtown | D'Avalon | |
| 1996 | Dear God | Himself | Uncredited |
| 1997 | Glam | Sid Dalgren | |
| 1997 | The Girl Gets Moe | Moe | |
| 1997 | A Brooklyn State of Mind | Louie Crisci | |
| 1997 | Meet Wally Sparks | New York Cab Driver | |
| 2004 | The Whisper | Simon | |
| 2004 | Crash | Fred | |
| 2006 | Cloud 9 | Himself | Uncredited |
| 2009 | The Nail: The Story of Joey Nardone | Chickie | |
| 2010 | Firedog | Rocky | |
| 2013 | Don Jon | Jon Martello, Sr. | |
| 2013 | Aftermath | King |
Television[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978–1983 | Taxi | Tony Banta | 114 episodes Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - Series, Miniseries or Television Film |
| 1980 | Murder Can Hurt You | Pony Lambretta | Television film |
| 1983 | The Love Boat | Bud O'Hara | 2 episodes |
| 1984 | Single Bars, Single Women | Dennis | Television film |
| 1984–1992 | Who's the Boss? | Tony Micelli | 196 episodes Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Television Series Musical or Comedy (1986–1987, 1989) Nominated—TV Land Award for Single Dad of the Year |
| 1986 | Doing Life | Jerry Rosenberg | Television film |
| 1988 | 1988 Kids' Choice Awards | Host | |
| 1988 | Freedom Fighter | Vic Ross | Television film |
| 1991 | The Whereabouts of Jenny | Rowdy Patron | Television film |
| 1991 | Dead and Alive: The Race for Gus Farace | Constabile "Gus" Farace | Television film |
| 1991–1992 | Baby Talk | Baby Mickey Campbell (voice) | 35 episodes |
| 1994 | The Mighty Jungle | Vinnie, the Alligator (voice) | Unknown episodes |
| 1994 | The Mighty Jungle | Vinnie, the Alligator (voice) | Television film |
| 1995 | Deadly Whispers | Tom Acton | Television film |
| 1995–1996 | Hudson Street | Tony Canetti | 22 episodes |
| 1996 | North Shore Fish | Sal | Television film |
| 1997 | 12 Angry Men | Juror No. 7 | Television film |
| 1997–1998 | The Tony Danza Show | Tony DiMeo | 14 episodes People's Choice Award for Favorite Male Performer in a Television Series |
| 1998 | The Garbage Picking Field Goal Kicking Philadelphia Phenomenon | Barney Gorman | Television film |
| 1998 | The Practice | Tommy Silva | 4 episodes Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series |
| 1998 | Noah | Norman Waters | Television film |
| 1998 | A Capitol Fourth | Himself (host) | |
| 2000–2002 | Family Law | Joe Celano | 25 episodes |
| 2000 | King of the Hill | Himself (voice) | Episode: "Peggy's Fan Fair" |
| 2001 | Family Guy | Himself (voice) | Episode: "Ready, Willing and Disabled" |
| 2003 | Stealing Christmas | Jack Clayton / Santa | Television film |
| 2004–2006 | The Tony Danza Show | Himself | Host; 330 episodes |
| 2005 | All My Children | Hotel Manager | Episode: "May 18, 2005" |
| 2007 | A Capitol Fourth | Himself (host) | |
| 2008 | Rita Rocks | Matt Morelli | Episode: "The Crying Game" |
| 2010 | Teach: Tony Danza | Himself | 7 episodes |
| 2016 | Broad City | Mr. Abrams | Episode: "Philadelphia" |
| 2016 | Sebastian Says | Salvo | Television film |
| 2017 | There's... Johnny! | Fred de Cordova | 6 episodes |
| 2018 | The Good Cop | Tony Caruso Sr. | 10 episodes |
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Tony Danza Biography (1951–)". FilmReference.com.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Ann Iadanza". Variety. June 23, 1993. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
- ↑ Wharton, Rachel (June 13, 2008). "Tony Danza's the boss in the kitchen with new cookbook". Daily News. New York. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
- ↑ walkoffame.com
- ↑ Tony Danza's TCM bio
- ↑ Frishberg, Hannah (November 14, 2016). "Tony Danza Talks His New Play, Growing Up in Brooklyn, And Fresh Mozzarella". Bklynr. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
- ↑ Verne Gay (September 29, 2010). "Tony Danza is not too cool for school". Newsday. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
- ↑ University of Dubuque website
- ↑ Tony Danza profile, boxing-scoop.com. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
- ↑ "Danza, Father and (Finally) Grown-up" by Steve Pond. Us Weekly, August 26, 1985
- ↑ "Tony Danza President Puncher". Maxim. Archived from the original on June 14, 2012. Retrieved June 17, 2011. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Rafael, Dan (October 1, 2008). "'The Contender' to feature two ex-title challengers; TV star Danza to host". ESPN. Retrieved December 17, 2008.
- ↑ "Meet Tony". dailydanza.com.
- ↑ "Tony Danza: Awards and Nominations". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
- ↑ "The House I Live in by Tony Danza". epinions.com. 2011. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2017. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Wallace swaps go-cart paint with Danza". MSNBC. Associated Press. May 10, 2005. Retrieved June 17, 2011.
- ↑ Gans, Andrew (December 19, 2006). "He's the Boss: Tony Danza Joins Broadway's Producers Dec. 19". Playbill. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved June 17, 2011. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Jones, Kenneth (June 19, 2007). "Tony Danza to 'Flaunt It' in Las Vegas Producers This Summer". Archived from the original on December 4, 2008. Retrieved February 6, 2017. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Jones, Kenneth (February 9, 2008). "Vegas Production of The Producers Ends Feb. 9". Archived from the original on April 15, 2008. Retrieved February 6, 2017. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Bracchitta, John (September 30, 2008). "Danza hosts The Contender". RealityTVWorld.com. Retrieved October 24, 2010.
- ↑ Grant, Diamond (September 26, 2013). "Tony Danza Leads Honeymoon in Vegas in Pre-Broadway Run in New Jersey". BroadwayTour.net. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
- ↑ Voltaw, Melanie (December 1, 2014). "Tony Danza Dedicates Doubledecker Bus in NYC". ReelLifeWithJane.com. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
- ↑ Otterson, Joe, "Tony Danza to Star in Netflix Series ‘The Good Cop’," Variety, June 19, 2017
- ↑ Zuckerman, Esther, "Tony Danza to play a bad cop in Netflix’s The Good Cop," A.V. Club, June 19, 2017
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 D'Zurilla, Christie (February 8, 2013). "Tony Danza's divorce finalized – finally!". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
- ↑ "Tony Danze Divorced: Officially The Boss ... of Himself". TMZ.com. February 7, 2013. Retrieved February 6, 2017.
- ↑ "Tony Danza Files for Divorce After 24 Years of Marriage". TV Guide. March 10, 2011. Retrieved June 17, 2011.
- ↑ "Tony and Mark Danza's Favorite Family Recipes". ABC News. May 20, 2008. Retrieved June 17, 2011.
- ↑ Professional boxing record for Tony Danza from BoxRec Lua error in Module:WikidataCheck at line 23: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
External links[edit]
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tony Danza. |
- Tony Danza on IMDb
- Tony Danza at the Internet Broadway DatabaseLua error in Module:WikidataCheck at line 23: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
- Tony Danza at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
- Tony Danza at The Interviews: An Oral History of TelevisionLua error in Module:WikidataCheck at line 23: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
- Professional Boxing Record
| Preceded by Donny and Marie Osmond |
Host of Miss America 2002 |
Succeeded by Wayne Brady |
- 1951 births
- 20th-century American male actors
- 21st-century American male actors
- American boxers of Italian descent
- American male film actors
- American male stage actors
- American male television actors
- American people of Sicilian descent
- American television talk show hosts
- Male actors from New York City
- Male actors of Italian descent
- People from East New York, Brooklyn
- People from Malverne, New York
- University of Dubuque alumni
- American male boxers
- American male dancers
- American tap dancers
