It is hard to remember a time when Frank Reynolds wasn't crawling naked out of a leather couch or trying to offer someone an egg in a trying time. But back in 2005, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia was a struggling, gritty little show on FX with a microscopic budget and zero big stars. The first season didn't exactly set the world on fire. Ratings were low. Executives were nervous.
The network basically gave the creators an ultimatum: get a "name" or get canceled.
Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton, and Charlie Day were terrified. They thought bringing in a movie star would trash the chemistry they’d built. They were wrong. Danny DeVito didn't just save the show; he became the catalyst for it becoming the longest-running live-action sitcom in American history.
The Ultimatum That Saved Paddy's Pub
John Landgraf, the head of FX, was the one who pushed for a big addition. He knew the show was funny, but nobody was watching. He happened to be friends with Danny DeVito and suggested him for the role of Dennis and Dee's father.
McElhenney’s initial reaction? He didn't want him. Honestly, he was worried a movie star would turn it into a "traditional" sitcom. But the choice was simple: add a star or lose the show.
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DeVito, luckily, was already a fan. His kids—Jake, Lucy, and Grace—had shown him the first season, and he loved it. He didn't want to come in and be the "main character" or the "800-pound gorilla" on set. He told the guys he just wanted to be part of the gang. He had one real requirement: the character had to be organic. He didn't want to just be "Danny DeVito" popping in for a cameo. He wanted a reason to be there.
So, the writers came up with Frank Reynolds—a wealthy businessman who realizes his life is a sham and decides to abandon high society to live in squalor with his "possibly" biological son, Charlie.
Getting "Real Weird" With It
When DeVito first joined in Season 2, he was only supposed to do ten episodes. He actually shot all of his scenes for the entire season in a frantic 20-day window because of his busy schedule. But something clicked. He liked the chaos.
The turning point for the character of Frank—and perhaps the show itself—was DeVito’s willingness to do absolutely anything. There’s a famous story from the set where the guys were testing the waters. They wanted to see how far they could push a Hollywood legend. They asked him if he’d be okay with getting stuck in a coil or being painted like a lizard.
His response was basically: "Go for it."
The Evolution (or Devolution) of Frank
In the beginning, Frank wore suits. He had money. He was a "master of business" known as The Warthog. Slowly, the showrunners realized that the funnier version of Frank was the one who completely let go.
- The Toe Knife: Instead of using a normal grooming kit, Frank uses a "toe knife" to plug up "botched" cuts with trash.
- Night Crawlers: He spends his nights playing an unexplained game on the floor with Charlie.
- Rum Ham: Who else could make a ham soaked in booze look like a tragic loss at sea?
This "devolution" is what made Danny DeVito Always Sunny performances so legendary. He wasn't playing a version of himself; he was playing a man who had looked at the "civilized" world and decided it was a lie.
The 20-Year Legacy
It is now 2026, and the show is still going. Think about that for a second. Most sitcoms die after six years. The "Gang" has stayed together because DeVito gave them the shield of star power they needed to keep their creative freedom.
Because DeVito was there, FX let them take bigger risks. They did a full-blown musical with The Nightman Cometh. They did a black-and-white noir episode. they did a 15-minute interpretive dance about coming out. Without the ratings cushion Frank Reynolds provided in those early years, the show would have been a cult relic from 2005 that nobody remembered.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Deal
People think DeVito came in for a massive paycheck. While he’s certainly well-compensated, the reality is that the three creators—Rob, Charlie, and Glenn—actually took lower salaries early on in exchange for ownership stakes. By 2011, those stakes were worth tens of millions of dollars.
DeVito’s presence allowed the show to reach syndication levels that made the entire cast incredibly wealthy. He didn't just bring his acting; he brought a business model that worked. He proved that a "movie star" could disappear into a role so completely that you forget they ever did anything else.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you’re a fan of the show or a creator looking to build something with longevity, there are a few real takeaways from the DeVito era:
- Chemistry is more than just screen time. DeVito’s biggest contribution was his humility. He refused to be the "lead," which allowed the ensemble to stay balanced.
- Lean into the "weird." The show didn't start winning until Frank became a "bridge dweller." If something is working, don't be afraid to take it to the extreme.
- Trust the "gut feeling." DeVito’s doorman told him not to do the show. His agents were skeptical. He did it because it made him laugh.
The story of Danny DeVito joining the gang isn't just about a casting choice. It’s about a veteran actor recognizing something special in a bunch of nobodies and being willing to get his hands dirty to make it a masterpiece.
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To truly understand the impact, go back and watch the Season 2 premiere, "Charlie Gets Crippled." You can see the exact moment the energy changes. The show becomes faster, meaner, and much, much weirder. That is the DeVito effect.
Next Steps to Explore More:
- Watch the "Always Sunny Podcast" episodes where the guys break down DeVito’s first day on set.
- Compare Season 1 (Pre-Frank) to Season 2 to see how the lighting and pacing shifted once they had a budget.
- Look for the "Easter eggs" in Frank’s apartment that hint at his former life as a millionaire.
This article is part of our deep-dive series on television history and the cast dynamics that changed the industry.