Perhaps best known for starring on some of television’s most beloved and long-running series, including Taxi (1978–1983) and Who’s the Boss (1984–1992), Tony Danza has also established himself as a stage and screen star, and he is indisputably one of America’s most iconic performers.Born and raised in Brooklyn, Danza received a wrestling scholarship to the University of Dubuque in Iowa, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history education. Discovered at a boxing gymnasium in New York, Danza was ultimately cast in the critically acclaimed ABC series Taxi, earning him a place in television history. He followed Taxi with a starring role in the classic ABC comedy series Who’s the Boss?, which ran for eight seasons.Eventually Tony explored his love for the stage, and among his many stage credits is his exciting run on Broadway in Mel Brooks’s hit musical The Producers, playing Max Bialystock (2006–2007), and his reprise of the role in the Las Vegas production at Paris Las Vegas (2007). For his theatrical debut in Wrong Turn at Lungfish (1993), he earned an Outer Critic’s Circle Award nomination. Other stage credits include the critically acclaimed The Iceman Cometh, opposite Kevin Spacey, Arthur Miller’s Tony Award–winning play A View from the Bridge, and I Remember You.Most recently, it was announced that the ABC television network and ABC Studio are developing a sitcom entitled The Guys, is being developed to be Tony Danza’s return to half hour multi-cam comedy. Tony is also developing a project that could mark his return to the stage: the much buzzed about musical adaptation of the 1992 Castle Rock hit comedy Honeymoon in Vegas. Tony’s next big-screen role will be playing Joseph Gordon Levitt’s father in Levitt’s much buzzed about directorial debut, entitled Don Jon’s Addiction. The film stars Levitt, Danza, Julianne Moore, and Scarlett Johansson, and will be released in 2013.Among Tony’s previous television experience is his role as attorney Joe Celano on the CBS dramatic series Family Law (2000–2002), his Emmy-nominated performance on David E. Kelley’s award-winning series The Practice (1998), and ABC’s The Tony Danza Show, a talk show that was broadcast live in New York from 2004–2006. He also starred in and executive-produced the ABC comedy series Hudson Street, NBC’s The Tony Danza Show, hosted Saturday Night Live several times and hosted numerous award shows, including the 2001 Miss America Pageant and the 2003 People’s Choice Awards.Amongst Tony’s big-screen credits are his roles in Walt Disney’s Angels in the Outfield, She’s Out of Control, The Hollywood Knights, and A Brooklyn State of Mind.In 2009-2010, Tony took on his most challenging role yet—teaching tenth-grade English at Philadelphia’s Northeast High School. His amazing experience working as a real teacher was taped and aired on A&E last year in the form of the critically acclaimed seven-part documentary series, entitled Teach. In September 2012, Crown Publishers (a division of Random House) will publish Tony’s book about the experience, entitled I’d Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had: My Year as a Rookie Teacher at Northeast High.In 2010, AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world’s largest-circulation magazine with more than 35 million readers, presented Tony with their Inspire Award. The Inspire Awards pay tribute to extraordinary people who inspire others to action through their innovative thinking, passion and perseverance.Tony currently lives in New York City.
He broke his back skiing in Utah in 1993, and has plates, rods, and screws in his spine. He lost his house in the Northridge quake January 17, 1994.
He graduated from the University of Dubuque.
He is actually behind the wheel of the cab thats driving across the bridge during the beginning credits of every episode of "Taxi" .
Before he starred in "Taxi" , Tony was a boxer and was still fighting professionally during the first few seasons.
Has two daughters Katie , Emily and one son, Marc Anthony Danza (b. 1971). Marc Anthony guest starred in an episode of "Taxi" playing a handicapped kid.
Was named as "King of Brooklyn" at the Welcome Back to Brooklyn Festival in 1999
Italian-American
Wrote to the late Tupac Shakur while he was in prison. The two later became friends.
Tony Micelli, Danzas character on "Whos the Boss?" , was ranked #23 in TV Guides list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" [20 June 2004 issue].
Tonys son, Marc Anthony Danza , also appeared in another episode of "Taxi" in which Marc portrayed a foster child that Tony wanted to adopt.
Made his professional boxing debut on August 3, 1976 by knocking out Earl Harris in the first round.
Danza scored first round knockouts over Earl Harris, Joe Marcetti, Ralph Garcia, Ray Bryant, Tony Rodriguez, Billy Perez, and Max Hord.
Escaped serious injury on 9 May 2005 when the mini stock-car he was driving flipped over and he wasnt wearing a helmet.
His character "Tony Banta" in "Taxi" was originally called "Phil Banta". The producers thought with him being an inexperienced actor that he would not respond to the name Phil, so they changed it to his real life name.
The metal rock band The Tony Danza Tap Dance Extravaganza was named after the actor.
Became a grandfather for the first time on August 27, 2005 when son, Marc Anthony Danza , 34, and wife Julie, also 34, welcomed baby Nicholas David.
Has an Italian-Canadian cousin named Daniel Gianotti.
Retired from boxing following his 3rd round knockout victory over Johnny Heard on May 5, 1979 in Phoenix, Arizona.
On September 9, 1977, he was knocked down by Ralph "Rocky" Garcia, but climbed off the canvas to knock out Garcia in the 1st round.
He lost 3 fights as a professional boxer: a 1st round knockout to John LoCicero on October 1, 1976, a 4 round decision to Barry Hill on April 21, 1977, and a 1st round knockout loss to Morris Watkins on November 11, 1977.
As a professional boxer, he fought in such cities as Brooklyn, New York, Long Island, Nanuet, White Plains, and Phoenix.
Almost always watches the television series "24" with Liza Minnelli.
Turned down the role of "Swan" in The Warriors for the role of "Tony Banta" on "Taxi" .
His first "Hollywood girlfriend" was "Taxi" co-star Marilu Henner.
Has two children with ex-wife Tracy Robinson : Katherine Danza and Emily Danza.
Has two children with ex-wife Rhonda "Yeoman" Ladanza: Marc Anthony Danza (b. 1971) and Gina Danza. Gina was born during a reconciliation. Tony and Rhonda later separated again.
Teaching a 10th grade English class at Northeast High School in Philadelphia [April 2010].
His acting mentor was Judd Hirsch.
Is a Republican.
Danza, a race horse named for the actor, finished third in the 2014 Kentucky Derby. Danza attended as an invited guest of the horses owners, who had been attracted to him and his name from his old "Whos the Boss?" TV show.
I am looking forward to getting to do things I have never done before.
We did 112 shows and had 112 parties.
Teaching is different today. Teachers don’t just stand at the board and lecture while the kids take notes. What we’re ultimately teaching them is to teach themselves.
the prospect of beginning a third- act career scared me almost as much as it attracted me.
