Actor Danny DeVito has shared recollections of the extravagant after-parties held during the filming of the acclaimed sitcom "Taxi," describing them as intense gatherings that included "crudité and cocaine."
"Those were like ragers. Like we would have like, crudité and cocaine… basically it was the ’80s. It was like, really crazy," DeVito said during an appearance on the "All the Smoke" podcast. He noted that these parties were not exclusive to the show's cast, recalling visits from notable figures of the era.
"People would come from like, ‘Laverne & Shirley’ would come and watch our show. And Robin Williams would come," DeVito remembered. "And we had visitors from outside who was a big fan of the show – Michael Jackson would come. He would sit up in the booth, not with the audience, sit up in the booth and watch. Lots of people came. Belushi, you know, people from ‘SNL’ in the early days."
DeVito explained that the parties would commence immediately after the day's filming concluded, typically around 10:30 or 11 p.m., with music playing until sunrise. "So then we would transition right from the show that we finished, like, 10:30, 11. And immediately go up and blare the music… until the sun came up," he recalled. The cast and guests would then prepare for their return to work.
"We had to be to work on Monday at noon,” DeVito said. “That’s all we had to care about.”
DeVito gained widespread recognition for his role as Louie De Palma, the irascible dispatcher on "Taxi," which aired from 1978 to 1983. The series also featured Judd Hirsch, Marilu Henner, Tony Danza, Christopher Lloyd, Jeff Conaway, and Andy Kaufman. DeVito's performance earned him an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe, marking a significant breakthrough in his career.
Following "Taxi," DeVito cultivated a diverse career in acting, directing, and producing, with notable film roles in "Twins," "Batman Returns," and "Matilda." He has also maintained a presence in television, portraying Frank Reynolds on "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" since 2006.