Tony Danza

Tony Danza Speaker Biography

Perhaps best known for his loveable sitcom personas, Tony Danza is indisputably one of America most popular performers. Having starred on some of television most beloved and long-running series, Danza has also established himself as a veritable stage and screen star, as well as a respected producer.

Realizing a dream, Danza will release his debut album, The House I Live In, to stores nationwide this fall. Riding the success and critical praise of his re-recording of Sinatra famed song of the same name, Danza CD features many of the classics he grew up with and some surprises too. Recently, Danza had the opportunity to perform The House I Live In, which was Billboard Magazine pick of the week when it was released in May, on the PBS Broadcast of the National Memorial Day Concert in Washington, D.C. Following the concert, he embarked on a new song and dance show tour making stops at major venues across the country, including New York prestigious Feinstein's at the Regency as well as the Westbury Music Fair.

On television, Danza most recently starred as attorney Joe Celano in the CBS dramatic series, Family Law, opposite a stellar ensemble cast that included Kathleen Quinlan, Chris McDonald and Dixie Carter. Danza also received an Emmy-nomination for his performance on David E. Kelley award-winning series The Practice, in which he portrayed Tommy Silva, a shrewd, charismatic and street-smart attorney who fashioned himself a man of the people.

On stage, Danza received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Rocky the bartender in the Broadway revival of Eugene ONeill The Iceman Cometh opposite Kevin Spacey in its much anticipated return to Broadway at the Brook Atkinson Theater. Prior to that, Danza made his Broadway debut in Arthur Miller Tony award winning play A View From The Bridge.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Danza received a wrestling scholarship to the University of Dubuque in Iowa, where he earned a Bachelor degree in History Education. Following college, he was discovered by producer Stu Sheslow at a boxing gymnasium in New York. Sheslow 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 the Boss? for eight seasons and also directed multiple episodes.

On the small screen, Danza other television credits include a critically applauded performance opposite George C. Scott and Jack Lemmon in Showtime remake of the film classic Angry Men directed by William Friedkin. Danza also starred in the ABC comedy series Hudson Street and NBC The Tony Danza Show, both for which he also served as executive producer.

Danza also starred in the Disney/ABC television movies The Garbage Picking Field Goal Kicking Philadelphia Phenomenon and Noah as well as the HBO feature-film, The Girl Gets Moe, Showtime Northshore Fish, and the CBS television movie Deadly Whispers opposite Pamela Reed.

On the big screen, Danza starred in Walt DisneyAngels in the Outfield with Danny Glover She Out Of Control Frank Rainore 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 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 Circle Award nomination.

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 famed 901-754-9404.