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Tony Danza, 75: ‘I’m So Lucky to Be Able to Do What I’m Doing’
The veteran actor keeps busy with film, TV, theater and philanthropy pursuits
With his 75th birthday in his rearview mirror, veteran actor Tony Danza is feeling sentimental.
Danza as Stefano Marchetti, the ruthless Mafia godfather in the Starz crime series “Power Book III: Raising Kanan.”
Courtesy Starz
VIDEO: Tony Danza’s Knockout Journey From Boxer to Hollywood Star
Weiss Eubanks/NBC Universal/Getty Images
He says the song “Please Be Kind,” by famed lyricist Sammy Cahn, contains a passage that best describes his life. “This is all so grand, my dreams are on parade,” Danza sings during a recent interview with AARP.
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Danza with (from left) Danny DeVito, Judd Hirsch, Marilu Henner, Andy Kaufman and Christopher Lloyd during filming for the TV series “Taxi.” Danza stays in touch with his castmates from the show. "We have monthly Zooms. And we're together a lot," he says.
ABC Photo Archives/Getty Images
Danza is currently performing in the world premiere of the off-Broadway drama Broken Snow. He’s also wrapping up his role as Stefano Marchetti, the ruthless Mafia godfather in the Starz crime series Power Book III: Raising Kanan (the final season debuts June 12). And if that isn’t enough, he’s prepping for a Christmas movie with his longtime friend Mario Lopez, and readying his long-running cabaret show for its next string of tour dates.
From 1984 to 1992, Danza starred on “Who’s the Boss?” with (from left) Judith Light, Danny Pintauro and Alyssa Milano. “I’d love to see the 'Who’s the Boss?' sequel get made one day,” he says.
ABC Photo Archives/Getty Images
Outside of work, things are just as grand. Grandchild No. 4 is on the way; he’s eagerly awaiting the next Zoom call with his beloved Taxi colleagues; and his youth-development organization, The Stars of Tomorrow Project, is flourishing with success stories.
Danza and his son, Marc Anthony, made an appearance on the red carpet at Golden Globe Awards in January 1984. The actor also has two daughters, Katherine and Emily.
Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images
In a video call from his home in New York City, Danza shares why he hesitated at first to take the role of Marchetti, reveals what motivates him to stay so busy, and lets us know if that Who’s the Boss? sequel we chatted about in our last conversation is any closer to fruition.
“I’m thrilled to be here,” says actor Tony Danza, adding that life “gives you a perspective. You wake up a little bit.”
Weiss Eubanks/NBC Universal/Getty Images
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
The last time we spoke was December 2024, and you were waiting for your daughter Katherine [39] to have her first baby — your first granddaughter.
Yes. And her name is Rosie, now 16 months old. She’s got the most incredible little personality. She doesn’t fuss. She’s a riot. She’s magnificent. Katie is pregnant again. A boy. My daughter wanted to be a mom for so long. And my other daughter [Emily, 33] is like, “Later for that.” [Danza’s son Marc Anthony, 55, has two sons: Nicholas, 21, and Lucas, 15.]
You just celebrated a big birthday: 75. How does it feel?
I had “the birthday” that was looming. My wise-guy grandson, Lucas, who’s going into high school next year, said to me, “Hey Grandpa, you’re having a birthday.” I said, “Yeah, Luc.” He says, “How old are you going to be?” I say, “I’m going to be 75, Luc.” He goes to me, “TD, that’s the age that old people are.” So I chased him for about two blocks!
What do you love about being your age?
I’m still here — my parents died in their 60s. When I was a kid in Brooklyn, I would have taken the under on me; I don’t know about the over. So I’m thrilled to be here. And I’m healthy, thankfully. Although I do feel like I live in a bad neighborhood and anything could happen. That’s how life is now. Also, it gives you a perspective. You wake up a little bit. And it’s tough, too, because you look back at your mistakes. Sometimes you have to be real careful that you don’t dwell on that stuff. Because it’s like, “Oh, would I have done that now? Why did I do that then?”
You’re saying goodbye to your Power Book mob boss character. I read that you were a little reluctant to take that part at first.
I was afraid of the Italian trope. I didn’t want to propagate it. But it turned out to be the most terrific experience. I loved playing the part. He was fun to play. And I was surrounded by the greatest bunch of actors and production and writing that you could ask for. It was a good group and a good experience.
Speaking of good groups, do you keep in touch with your costars of the past?
Taxi is the preeminent. We have monthly Zooms. And we’re together a lot. It’s interesting. Everybody was in New York last year [celebrating Danny DeVito as he was honored for his work over the decades on and off Broadway].
And your costars from Who’s the Boss?
Me and Alyssa [Milano] are very close. And Judith [Light] and I, we pass in the night, but we send signals to each other. And then Danny [Pintauro] and I talk all the time. He sent me a gag reel he found the other day of Who’s the Boss? It’s some funny stuff.
Speaking of Who’s the Boss? — is that sequel you mentioned previously any closer to reality?
I’d love to see the Who’s the Boss? sequel get made one day. I think a lot of people would love that. We’ve developed a couple of great scripts; just need the right home for the show.
Is there someone you haven’t worked with or somebody you want to get back together with?
I’d love to work with Judith again. I really would. I did two sitcoms after Who’s the Boss? that were both well regarded. And both times, I really came to believe that it was [the woman they cast opposite of me]. You could be the biggest star in the world, but if you don’t have the right girl, that show ain’t going no place. And Judith was the right girl. And I’m sure Ray Romano would say that about Patricia Heaton [from Everybody Loves Raymond]. That’s what I’m talking about.
How do you keep your energy up to keep working like you are?
Because I know it’s finite. I know there’s going to be a day when I can’t do it. So I might as well do it as long as I can.
What’s your exercise routine? Boxing? [Danza was a professional boxer before he won his breakout role in Taxi.]
I have what’s called a boxer ball. It’s a headband, elastic, and a ball at the end of it. And you hit. You hit the ball. You know what? I’m so good right now. I could hit a fly on the chin. So I do that, but I do a lot of stuff. You’ve got to lift weights. I’ve got the holy grail of aging fitness: a recumbent bike. I have one of those in the apartment. I work out. I try to watch what I’m doing. But I like to live.
You recently added cooking to your Stars of Tomorrow Project. Why do that?
I’m a cook. We added a wellness component because a lot of our kids have weight problems. It’s important that we address it. This is really why I have the program — I had such an incredible childhood. I had two parents who loved me. My grandparents lived downstairs. As a family, we ate together every night. I want to show these kids what that’s like. We take them shopping and buy the groceries we need to make what we’re going to make. It’s a fun thing. And the kids, it’s amazing how they take to it. For three hours, nobody looks at their phone. And they come and tell me, “I’m cooking for my family a couple times a week now.”
Working with all these young people, does it give you thoughts on what you would tell your younger self?
I know exactly what I’d say: “Take advantage of youth, to not let that time go away. You’ve got to waste some of it, but find something.” I tell kids all the time to take advantage of the time. You can waste some of it, but don’t waste all of it.
And you’re going to be in a holiday movie this year, Christmas at The Starlight, with your buddy Mario Lopez?
I can’t wait. I went into the recording studio the other day to record some of the songs because there will be singing and dancing. And Mario’s a good dancer. He’s going to play my son. His son, Dominic, is going to play his son. And we own a club called The Starlight.
Is there something left on your dance card, so to speak?
I have to get back to Broadway. I just feel like I’m so lucky to be able to do what I’m doing. I’m singing and dancing all over the country, which is crazy. I played at the Café Carlyle. I’m playing 54 Below. There’s a song [“Please Be Kind” by Sammy Cahn and Saul Chaplin]: “This is all so grand, my dreams are on parade.” And so that’s kind of what’s going on here.
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