Tony Danza biography

Synopsis

Early Life

Actor, director, producer. Born Anthony Iadanza on April 21, 1951, in Brooklyn, New York, as one of five siblings. Danza's father, Matty, was a sanitation worker. His mother, Anne, was an Italian immigrant who held a job as a bookkeeper. When Danza was 14, he and his family moved out of Brooklyn, instead relocating to the Long Island community of Malverne. Danza flourished academically and athletically on Long Island and, upon his 1969 graduation from high school, he attended the University of Dubuque on a wrestling scholarship.

Danza earned a bachelor's degree in history education upon his graduation from Dubuque in 1973. But he didn't originally picture himself as an educator; instead Danza pinned his hopes on a career as a professional boxer. Changing his name to "Dangerous" Tony Danza, he entered the New York Golden Gloves competition in 1975, where he made the lightweight semi-finals. Returning the next year, he advanced to the finals as a middleweight, but lost a key fight by a narrow decision, which cost him the title. After turning professional in August of 1976, Danza compiled a 12-3 record in the ring. Fighting as a middleweight, Danza was a crowd favorite for his slugging style.

Breakout Role

Danza's life changed in 1977, when he was discovered during a workout at his boxing gym by a television producer. The chance meeting led to Danza's first television role as ex-boxer Tony Banta on the popular sitcom Taxi, which he began portraying in 1978. More brawn than brains, Danza's character won viewers—and the affection of co-star Marilu Henner—with his heart of gold. In spite of his TV success, Danza still maintained hopes of becoming a world boxing champion. He scored knockouts in the ring during 1978 and 1979 but, unable to secure a title shot, he retired from boxing in May of 1979 and decided to dedicate himself completely to his acting career.

After the success of Taxi Danza landed another lucrative sitcom in 1984, this time as widowed housekeeper Tony Micelli on Who's the Boss?. The show was a ratings smash, lasting for eight seasons and making him a solid television star. After Who's the Boss? ended in 1994, Danza returned to TV the next year with the sitcom Hudson Street, but the venture struggled in the ratings. It was canceled after only one season. His next sitcom, The Tony Danza Show (1997) met a similar fate.

Comeback

In early 1998, however, Danza's television career began making a comeback. His appearances on the legal drama The Practice earned him an Emmy nomination. In 2000, he also began starring in another popular TV drama, Family Law.