Danny DeVito To Co-Star on a FX Show

[Fitzy]

Danny DeVito created one of the indelible TV characters of the past 30 years in "Taxi's" Louie DePalma. For his first regular TV role since then, he's headed to ... FX?

Yep, FX. DeVito has signed on as a co-star of the cable network's comedy "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" next season. He'll play the father of Dennis (Glenn Howerton) and Sweet Dee (Kaitlin Olson), a highly successful contractor who moves from his cushy suburban home back to the city in an effort to recapture his youth and spend more time with his kids.

"Danny is one the funniest and most acclaimed actors in the business, and his decision to join the cast of 'Sunny' is a tremendous boost for the series," FX President John Landgraf says. "Danny's return to regular series television in 'Sunny' speaks volumes about the quality of the show and the talents of the creative team behind it."

One member of that team, creator-star Rob McElhenney, is pretty much blown away with the casting of DeVito.

"When John gave me the news that Danny agreed to join the show, I thought it was a joke," McElhenney says. "Getting the news from FX that our show got a second season pickup was fantastic. Getting the news that Danny has signed on to co-star feels like we just hit the lottery."

DeVito won an Emmy in 1981 for playing Louie on "Taxi" and has been nominated four other times, most recently in 2004 for a guest role on "Friends." Recent movie credits include "Be Cool" (which he also produced), "Heist" and "Big Fish."

His casting in "It's Always Sunny" represents something of a reunion between DeVito and Landgraf. Prior to joining FX, he was president of Jersey Television, the TV arm of DeVito's production company.