MovieChat Forums > Who's the Boss? (1984) Discussion > Tony Danza Underrated?

Tony Danza Underrated?

posted 14 years ago by bnbailey-1
3 replies | jump to latest

"Tony Danza received an Emmy nomination for a guest-starring role in "The Practice" (1997) and acclaim for his performance in the Broadway revival of "The Iceman Cometh" by Eugene O'Neill. He is best known, however, for his lovable sitcom personae. Following a five-year run in "Taxi" (1978), he starred in "Who's the Boss?" (1984) for eight seasons.

He also wrote, directed and starred in the short film Mamamia (1998) and continues to garner accolades performing in his song-and-dance stage show, which debuted in Atlantic City in 1995.

Danza earned a bachelor's degree in history education from the University of Dubuque, which he attended on a wrestling scholarship.

Before he starred in "Taxi" (1978), Tony was a boxer and was still fighting professionally during the first few seasons. Danza still had hopes of being a world champion and scored knockouts in 1978 and 1979..."(imdb)

~~So, I know I'm a "youngster", 26, to be a big WTB/Tony Danza fan, but I feel like Hollywood/media/general public don't give Tony the respect that he deserves. The guy got a college degree, could have been a pro boxer, starred in multiple successful TV series and movies, can also sing and dance, etc. etc. I was watching some old WTB? reruns and watched some really emotional scenes in Angela Gets Fired, and just wondered to myself why Tony is not more well respected for his work? Is it because some of his main roles have been more of a "goofy" nature? It's just something I've been wondering. Anyone have any opinions/thoughts on this?

[–] DaysofOdumba 14 years ago

Amen!

[–] There-Can-Be-Only-One 14 years ago

I was lucky enough to catch a full-day marathon of Who's the Boss? yesterday, and was reminded once again of how much I like him. I wonder why he was never more "famous." He was good looking, had a rockin' body, was talented in acting, dancing, and singing. He starred in one of the biggest sitcom hits of its time. Why wasn't he considered a "Hollywood heartthrob?" I've wondered that many times before. I always loved him.

[–] bnbailey-1 14 years ago

Haha thanks to the Hallmark Channel for reairing WTB because they won't release the DVD's!!! But also, I agree with you about the "rockin body"...I started noticing, as I rewatched them, that they found so many random ways to get him shirtless as much as possible! The "rash ad", the camping episode, etc...and of course, when he was wearing clothes, they were often as tight as possible! haha

But past that, I think his acting is also better than people give him credit for. Like in the episode, "Requiem", modeled after his real father's death...that is a very emotional episode. Even with the show being mostly comedic, that is a very hard task to do. Comic timing, and pulling off a joke the right way is not an easy task. Not everyone can be funny. But somehow this is considered less acting than drama scenes.

Well, anyway, glad to know I'm not alone! :) :)