Back in the summer of 1966, two struggling actors crossed paths at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Connecticut. Danny DeVito, now 74, and Michael Douglas, also 74, were building an amphitheater and recruited actors to help with the outdoor work. It was there that their incredible friendship began. Recalling the moment during a joint Q&A at the Producers Guild of America’s Produced By Conference in Los Angeles on June 8, Danny joked about Michael’s long hair, to which Michael hilariously responded, "Hair?" This chance encounter marked the start of a lifelong bond filled with laughter, collaboration, and mutual respect.
From Roommates to Collaborators: A Lifelong Bond
After meeting in Connecticut, Danny and Michael moved to New York City, where they became roommates. Over the next five decades, their friendship only deepened as they worked together on numerous projects. Michael once said, "I realize now how much more fun it is when you’re working with your friends." Danny echoed this sentiment, adding, "It’s about keeping in touch and being with people you care about." Their partnership transcended the screen, becoming a cornerstone of their personal lives as well.
Breaking Into Hollywood Together
Michael’s big break came when he produced the Oscar-winning film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest in 1975. This project had been a long-time dream of his father, Kirk Douglas, who had struggled to get it off the ground. During production, Michael introduced director Milos Forman to Danny, who was starring in an Off-Broadway production of the same psychiatric-hospital drama. "He was the first person we cast," Michael recalled. "We had an extraordinary experience." This collaboration marked the beginning of their professional partnership, setting the stage for future successes.
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