(Long Island, NY) I had the pleasure of meeting The Tenacious Tony while I was doing a TV interview for my TV show Cognac’s Corner at the Glamorous Cabaret, Feinstein’s At The Regency. I had just interviewed Chef Michael at Feinstein’s and Tony Danza was doing his cabaret act when he decided to take a break and sit at my table. We chatted a while and he talked about himself. He got a kick out of my name, “Cognac Wellerlane, Cognac Wellerlane, Wellerlane, Wellerlane that ‘s your name? Are you sure that’s not your address?, the Dashing Danza expressed in that charming grin that can charm any girl.
Tony Danza was born Antonio Salvatore Iadanza in Brooklyn, New York . His family later moved to Malverne, New York . He graduated from the the University of Dubuque and decided to become a boxer which led him into a illlustrious career in show business. His very first important role in acting was when he was cast as the erstwhile boxer Tony Banda on TV sitcom Taxi but he is better known as the widowed housekeeper of an attractive blond divorced woman Angela Bower (Judith Light) on the weekly domestic comedy “who’s the Boss?” Tony enjoyed 8 wonderful seasons playing the loveable character, Tony Micelli.
His first starring film role after “Who the Boss?” was the 1988 “She’s Out of Control”. Tony was cast as an overprotective dad of a teenage daughter played by Ami Dolenz. The role was more or less an extension of his TV work in Who’s The Boss but his real acting ability came when he was cast as a dying baseball player in the 1994 remake of Angels In the Outfield – Hal Erickson.
He also received an Emmy nomination for a guest-starring role in “The Practice” in 1997. He now stars in his own TV Talk Show the Tony Danza Show on ABC-7
Tony is also a survivor in more ways then one. He has survived a show business career, a bad accident, an earthquake and his mother’s death of brain cancer. After finding out about his mother’s illness he went back to his home in Malverne, New York . He cared for her for six months each night retiring to his childhood bedroom.
In 1995 after his mother’s death he dealt with his emotions by writing and producing and acting in a 28-minute film about a son looking after his dying mother. He shot it at his mom’s house in Malverne.
Two hit sitcoms, Taxi and Who’s The Boss? and a TV Talk Show, what’s next for the Long Island Star.
The Dashing Danza has dreams of someday hosting his own variety show. You think he could be the next Dean Martin? He really is a Rat Pack Wannabe. He is quoted as saying “It’s every Italian’s singers dream, a tuxedo a stool and a microphone.
He now resides with his wife Tracy and his three children in Los Angeles California.
