Tony Danza is an American actor and retired professional boxer born April 21, 1951, best known for starring as Tony Banta in Taxi (1978-1983) and Tony Micelli in Who’s the Boss? (1984-1992). His unexpected transition from the boxing ring to the television screen created one of the most recognizable careers in American sitcom history.
Early Life and Background
Born Anthony Salvatore Iadanza in Brooklyn, New York, Danza grew up in a working-class Italian-American family. His father, Matty, worked as a waste collector, while his mother, Anna Mary, who immigrated from Sicily, worked as a bookkeeper, providing a backdrop to the stories that would later inspire his work in the Tony Danza show. The family moved to Malverne on Long Island when Tony was 14, where he attended Malverne Senior High School.
Danza describes himself as a “bad student” in high school, but his athletic abilities opened doors. He earned a wrestling scholarship to the University of Dubuque in Iowa, graduating in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in history.
The Boxing Years
Before Hollywood came calling, Danza pursued a legitimate boxing career. Changing his name to “Dangerous” Tony Danza, he entered the New York Golden Gloves in 1975. His friends initially entered him as a joke, but he quickly proved he belonged in the ring.
Starting his professional career on August 13, 1976, Danza fought as a middleweight and became a crowd favorite for his walk-in slugging style, compiling a record of 9-3 with nine knockout victories, seven in the first round. His aggressive, straight-ahead approach made him popular with fans, even if he never secured the title shot he dreamed about.
The turning point came during a routine gym workout. A producer discovered Danza at a boxing gymnasium in New York and offered him an audition for Taxi. Even after landing the role, Danza continued boxing, scoring knockouts in 1978 and 1979 while filming the show’s early seasons.
Breakthrough on Taxi
Taxi launched Danza into American living rooms in 1978. The character of Tony Banta was originally written as Phil Ryan, but producers tailored the role to fit Danza’s personality and background. Playing a struggling boxer working as a cab driver alongside an ensemble cast including Danny DeVito, Judd Hirsch, Christopher Lloyd, and Andy Kaufman, Danza brought authenticity to the role.
The show became critically acclaimed and earned Danza his first Golden Globe nomination in 1979, contributing to his legacy in television series like Taxi and Who’s the Boss. His portrayal of the good-natured but dim-witted Tony Banta established the lovable character type he would refine throughout his career. Taxi ran for five seasons across ABC and NBC, cementing its place as one of television’s greatest comedies.
Who’s the Boss? Phenomenon
One year after Taxi ended, Danza landed his most iconic role. In Who’s the Boss? (1984-1992), He portrayed Tony Micelli, a former baseball player who becomes a housekeeper and single father, and the show ran for eight seasons and broke all syndication records.
The premise flipped traditional gender roles, with Danza’s character raising his daughter while working for successful advertising executive Angela Bower, played by Judith Light. The show’s “will they or won’t they” dynamic between Tony and Angela kept viewers hooked for eight seasons, consistently ranking in Nielsen’s Top 10.
Danza received four Golden Globe nominations for the role, further solidifying his status as a television star, and he was also nominated for an Emmy for his work. The show’s success gave him enough clout to launch his own production company and become an executive producer on subsequent projects.
Film Career Highlights
While Danza dominated television, his film career proved more challenging. His movie debut came in The Hollywood Knights (1980), followed by Going Ape! (1981), which failed to impress critics or audiences.
More successful ventures included:
She’s Out of Control (1989) – Playing an overprotective father, though the film earned him a Razzie nomination Angels in the Outfield (1994) – Returning to his athletic roots as baseball player Mel Clark Crash (2004) – A small role in the Oscar-winning ensemble drama Don Jon (2013) – Playing opposite Joseph Gordon-Levitt in a role that earned widespread critical praise
The Don Jon performance marked a career resurgence, with critics noting his natural comedic timing and authentic portrayal of a stereotypical New Jersey father, reminiscent of his roles in beloved television series.
Broadway and Stage Work
Danza proved his versatility beyond sitcoms with acclaimed stage performances. He earned critical recognition for his 1999 Broadway debut in Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh, showcasing dramatic range audiences hadn’t seen before.
From 2006 to 2007, he played Max Bialystock in Mel Brooks’ The Producers on Broadway, later reprising the role in Las Vegas. His performance in the Broadway musical Honeymoon in Vegas earned rave reviews, with the New York Times calling it “sly genius” and a “career high”.
Danza developed a successful cabaret show, Tony Danza: Standards & Stories, which he continues to perform. The New York Times praised him as “a live wire who tap-dances, plays the ukulele, tells stories and radiates irresistible charm”. The show combines Great American Songbook standards with personal stories and soft-shoe dancing.
Teaching Experiment
In 2009, Danza abruptly returned to his educational roots, drawing parallels to the lessons learned in his time on the Tony Danza show. He spent the 2009-2010 school year teaching tenth-grade English at Philadelphia’s Northeast High School, with the experience filmed for the A&E reality series Teach: Tony Danza.
The show premiered in October 2010 and received critical acclaim for its honest portrayal of teaching challenges. Danza published a book about the experience in 2012, I’d Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had: My Year as a Rookie Teacher at Northeast High, which resonates with the themes of education often explored in his talk show. The book debuted at number 16 on the New York Times Best Sellers list and remained there for two months.
Recent Work and Current Projects
Danza continues appearing in Power Book III: Raising Kanan, where he plays a mob boss, showing his ability to tackle villainous roles decades into his career. He starred in Netflix’s The Good Cop (2018) opposite Josh Groban, written by the creator of Monk, further expanding his repertoire in television series.
At 73 years old, Danza maintains an active performance schedule. He attributes his vitality to being a “devoted trainer” who has never appeared on camera without working out first, a commitment that reflects his dedication seen in his various television series. This discipline helped him maintain his physique and energy level throughout his career.
Personal Life
Danza married Rhonda Yeoman in 1970, and they had a son, Marc Anthony, before divorcing in 1974. His son appeared with him in two Taxi episodes. In 1986, Danza married Tracy Robinson, with whom he has two daughters, Katie and Emily. The couple separated in 2006 and finalized their divorce in 2013.
He co-authored a cookbook with his son Marc in 2008, Don’t Fill Up on the Antipasto: Tony Danza’s Father-Son Cookbook, celebrating their shared Italian heritage.
Charitable Work and Legacy
Danza remains extremely active in NYC-based charities and community programs, including The NYC All Stars Program and serving as a board member of NYC P.A.L. He created The Stars of Tomorrow Project, which introduces young adults to Manhattan and potential careers in the arts, reminiscent of the opportunities showcased in the Tony Danza show.
He received the 2010 Inspire Award from AARP The Magazine and was honored by USA Today in 2013 at their National Make A Difference Day Awards for his commitment to helping others.
In 1988, Danza received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard, recognizing his contributions to television.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Danza accumulated impressive accolades:
- Emmy nomination for The Practice (1998)
- Four Golden Globe nominations for Who’s the Boss?
- Golden Globe nomination for Taxi (1979)
- People’s Choice Award for Favorite Male Performer (1998)
- Hollywood Walk of Fame star (1988)
Why Tony Danza Remains Relevant
Danza’s enduring appeal stems from his authenticity. He never strayed far from his Brooklyn roots or working-class upbringing, bringing genuine warmth to every role. His willingness to reinvent himself—from boxer to actor, from comedian to dramatic performer, from entertainer to teacher—demonstrates remarkable versatility.
He maintains monthly video calls with his Taxi co-stars and remains close with former colleagues like Alyssa Milano, speaking to the genuine relationships he built throughout his career. These connections reflect the same approachability that made him America’s favorite TV dad in the 1980s and continues to draw audiences to his live performances today.
FAQs
How old is Tony Danza?
Born April 21, 1951, Tony Danza is currently 73 years old. He continues performing and acting.
What was Tony Danza’s boxing record in the television series where he portrayed a character with a fighting spirit?
Danza compiled a professional record of 9-3 with nine knockouts, seven in the first round, before retiring to focus on acting.
Is Tony Danza married, or is he focusing on his career and the impact of his television series?
Danza divorced his second wife, Tracy Robinson, in 2013. He has three children from his two marriages, balancing family life with his success in shows like Taxi and Who’s the Boss.
What is Tony Danza doing now?
He performs his Standards & Stories show nationally, appears in Power Book III: Raising Kanan, and participates in various charitable activities.
Did Tony Danza really teach school?
Yes, he taught tenth-grade English at Northeast High School in Philadelphia for the entire 2009-2010 school year, documented in the A&E series Teach.
What is Tony Danza’s net worth?
Various sources estimate Danza’s net worth at approximately $40 million from his television, film, stage work, and other ventures.
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