Biography of Tony Danza

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Danza received a wrestling scholarship to the University of Dubuque in Iowa, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in History Education. Following college, he was discovered by producer Stu Sheslow at a boxing gymnasium in New York. Sheslow’s discovery led producer James Brooks to cast Danza in the critically acclaimed series "Taxi," earning him a place in television history. Following his five-year run on "Taxi," Danza starred in the ABC comedy series "Who’s the Boss?" for eight seasons and also directed multiple episodes. On the small screen, Danza’s credits include a critically applauded performance opposite George C. Scott and Jack Lemmon in Showtime’s remake of the film classic "12 Angry Men" directed by William Friedkin. Danza was also recently seen in the Disney/ABC television movies "The Garbage Picking Field Goal Kicking Philadelphia Phenomenon" and "Noah." He also starred in the ABC comedy series "Hudson Street" and NBC’s "The Tony Danza Show" both for which he also served as executive producer. Danza’s other television credits include starring in the HBO feature-film, "The Girl Gets Moe" with Michael Madsen; Showtime’s "Northshore Fish," co-starring Peter Riegert and Mercedes Ruehl; and the CBS television movie "Deadly Whispers" opposite Pamela Reed. On the big screen, Danza starred in Walt Disney’s "Angels in the Outfield" with Danny Glover; "She’s Out Of Control;" Frank Rainore’s action-drama "A Brooklyn State of Mind" with Vincent Spano, Danny Aiello and Maria Grazia Cucinotta; an independent film for Josh Evans entitled "Gangster Glam" which co-starred William McNamara, Frank Whaley and Natasha Wagner; and Nick Gomez’s "Illtown" with Michael Rapaport and Lili Taylor.

Danza also wrote, directed and starred in the short film inspired by personal events entitled "Mama Mia." For his theatrical debut in "Wrong Turn at Lungfish," Danza earned an Outer Critic’s Circle Award nomination. Realizing a dream, Danza continues to garner accolades performing his song and dance stage show, which he debuted in Atlantic City to sold-out audiences in 1995. He has since played engagements on the legendary Las Vegas strip, at New York’s famed Rainbow and Stars as well as many other major venues across the country. In 1998, Danza had the honor of headlining with the national symphony orchestra at "A Capital Fourth," a national Fourth of July concert broadcast live on PBS from the west lawn of the U.S. Capital in front of 400,000 people. The thespian also recently made a stop at New York’s famed Carnegie Hall to perform for Skitch Henderson’s 80th birthday. He was last seen hosting the 2001 "Miss America Pageant" in Atlantic City. With the formation of his production company, Katie Face Productions, Danza is actively involved in all forms of television, including production of the highly rated specials "Before They Were Stars."