How Did Danny Devito Get On Always Sunny

Alright, picture this: you've got a group of hilarious, relatively unknown actors cranking out a super-funny, super-low-budget TV show. They're scraping by, but they're brilliant. What could possibly make it even better? Enter: Danny DeVito!

The Sunny Setup

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia was already a cult classic in the making. Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton, and Charlie Day were doing their thing. They were creating comedic gold out of sheer audacity and a shoestring budget. But they needed something... more.

Enter the Legend

So, how did the legendary Danny DeVito end up slumming it with "The Gang"? Well, the story is as wonderfully absurd as the show itself.

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The truth is, initially, the show wasn't exactly setting the world on fire in terms of ratings. The network, FX, loved the creative energy, but they also wanted to boost the viewership.

Executives suggested a bigger name to attract more viewers. They needed a shot in the arm, something to get people talking.

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The DeVito Connection

Here's where it gets really good. Danny DeVito's wife at the time, Rhea Perlman (yes, Carla from Cheers!), was a fan of the show. Can you imagine Rhea Perlman watching "Sunny" and then turning to Danny and saying, "Hon, you gotta check this out"?

Apparently, she showed it to Danny DeVito, and he, being the awesome human being that he is, loved it too. He saw the potential and the raw, unfiltered comedic genius.

Now, some versions of the story say that Danny DeVito's kids were the ones who turned him on to the show. Either way, someone in the DeVito household clearly had excellent taste!

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The Proposition

So, Danny DeVito expresses interest in being on the show. Can you imagine being the show's producers and hearing that? It's like finding out Beyoncé wants to sing backup on your karaoke night!

They, of course, were ecstatic but probably also terrified. How do you even write for Danny DeVito? How do you integrate a Hollywood legend into a show about five deeply dysfunctional friends?

Turns out, they just wrote a part that was perfectly, outrageously DeVito. Frank Reynolds was born, and the rest, as they say, is hilariously depraved history.

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The Frank Effect

The producers didn't change the show to accommodate him; they simply added a character that amplified the show's already chaotic energy. Frank was a walking, talking, rum ham-eating embodiment of everything that made "Sunny" so great.

Danny DeVito didn't just join the cast; he became part of the gang. He elevated the show to another level of comedic brilliance. He brought instant credibility and a whole new audience.

Ratings went up. The show got renewed. And Frank Reynolds became one of the most iconic and beloved characters on television. All thanks to a wife, kids, or perhaps even just a hunch and the willingness to embrace the weird.

A Perfect Match

The best part is that Danny DeVito clearly enjoys being on the show. He embraces the absurdity, the darkness, and the sheer lunacy of it all. He's found a home in Philadelphia with a group of misfits, and we, the viewers, are all the better for it.

So, there you have it: the surprisingly simple, yet utterly brilliant, story of how Danny DeVito ended up on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. A combination of good taste, family influence, and a willingness to take a chance on something truly special.

Now go re-watch the episode where Frank emerges from the couch!