Everyone has seen it. You’re scrolling through Reddit or Twitter at 2:00 AM, and there he is: the legendary Danny DeVito, 5 feet of pure charisma, strolling through the streets of New York City. But he isn’t alone. He’s gripping a leash, and at the other end is a sleek, low-riding Dachshund.
The kicker? The dog is wearing a bright, lemon-yellow sundress complete with a tutu.
It is the kind of image that restores your faith in the internet for a solid five minutes. It’s wholesome. It’s chaotic. It is quintessentially DeVito. But honestly, most people sharing the photo of Danny DeVito walking his dog are getting one massive detail wrong.
The Mystery of the Yellow Dress
The internet loves a good "celebrities are just like us" moment. We want to believe that Danny DeVito just woke up one Tuesday in July, looked at his dog, and thought, "You know what? Today is a tutu day."
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The photos first exploded in 2015. They were snapped in the Flatiron District of Manhattan. In the shots, Danny looks totally unbothered, navigating the sidewalk crowds while his canine companion sports that iconic yellow ensemble.
People lost their minds. It racked up millions of views on Imgur.
But here is the reality check: Danny DeVito wasn't actually walking his own pet.
The "dog in a dress" moment was actually a scene from the 2016 film Wiener-Dog, directed by Todd Solondz. The movie is a dark comedy that follows a single Dachshund as it passes through the lives of several different owners. Danny played Dave Schmerz, a frustrated, struggling screenwriter and film school professor.
While the movie itself is pretty bleak—it’s a Solondz film, after all—the behind-the-scenes snaps of the production became a permanent fixture of meme culture.
Is Danny DeVito Actually a Dog Person?
Just because the viral photo was for a movie doesn't mean the man doesn't have a soft spot for animals. Far from it.
DeVito has a long history of being a genuine animal lover. In fact, if you look at his actual life away from movie sets, he’s been spotted with various pets over the years. He and his long-time partner (and now close friend) Rhea Perlman were known for having a household full of life.
There’s a reason he looks so natural in those photos. He knows how to handle a leash.
He's also a fan of the "Troll Foot" gag on social media, but his interactions with fans and animals are where the "good guy" reputation really comes from. Even when paparazzi catch him in New York or his native New Jersey, he’s usually smiling or waving. He doesn't have that "guarded" celebrity vibe.
Why This Image Still Goes Viral in 2026
It has been over a decade since those photos were taken. Why do we still see Danny DeVito walking his dog in our feeds every few months?
- The Proportions: There is something visually perfect about a 5-foot-tall icon walking a "wiener dog." It’s a match made in cinematic heaven.
- The Contrast: Danny often wears dark, nondescript clothing. The dog is in a neon yellow tutu. That color pop is basically "Google Discover" bait before Google Discover even existed.
- The Pure Vibes: In a world of stressful news, seeing Frank Reynolds (or the man behind him) taking a dog for a stroll is a mental reset.
It’s also worth noting that the internet frequently confuses Danny with other "cool" celebrities. There are entire subreddits dedicated to "Accidental Wes Anderson" shots, and this specific photo is a Hall of Fame entry. The symmetry of the NYC crosswalk and the whimsical nature of the dog’s outfit feel like a movie frame even if you don't know it is a movie frame.
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Real Dogs Named Danny DeVito
Because the actor is so beloved, his name has actually become one of the most popular choices for rescue dogs. If you search Petfinder or local shelter listings, you will almost certainly find a "Danny DeVito" available for adoption.
Usually, they are Basset Hound mixes or senior Chihuahuas. Basically, any dog that is short, stout, and has a lot of personality gets the name.
There was a famous case of a rescue dog named Danny DeVito—a "hoarding survivor"—that went viral on TikTok. People were so moved by the name and the dog’s resilient spirit that he was adopted almost immediately.
This creates a weird "SEO loop" where people searching for the actor walking a dog end up finding dozens of real-life shelter dogs looking for homes. Honestly? Danny would probably love that.
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What to Keep in Mind Next Time You See the Meme
Next time you see that photo of Danny DeVito walking his dog pop up in your feed, you can be the "actually" person in the comments.
- It was filmed in NYC (Flatiron District).
- The year was 2015.
- The movie is Wiener-Dog.
- The dog's name in the film is... well, it changes, but "Wiener-Dog" is the constant.
It’s a rare case where the "fake" news (that it was a candid paparazzi shot) is just as charming as the truth (that it was for a niche indie film).
If you want to channel your inner DeVito, the best thing you can do is support your local shelter. You don't have to put your dog in a yellow dress—unless they’re into that—but taking a walk through your neighborhood is a solid start.
If you're looking for a way to follow in his footsteps, start by checking out your local rescue's "senior dog" section. Those are the ones with the most "DeVito energy." You can also look into the history of the movie Wiener-Dog if you want to see the context of the shot, though be warned: it’s much more of a "serious film" than the yellow tutu suggests.