Danny DeVito admits he ‘lusted after’ Michelle Pfeiffer on ‘Batman Returns’ set: ‘She was a goddess’
Danny DeVito admitted he was thirsty for “goddess” Michelle Pfeiffer while working with her in 1992’s “Batman Returns.”
“Just so wonderful,” DeVito, 80, said in a new interview of his experience working with Pfeiffer, 67, adding, “I lusted after her.”
The actor — who played villain Penguin to Pfeiffer’s Catwoman — said he was more self conscious of his appearance when she was on set.
“She was a goddess,” DeVito told Colin Farrell for Variety’s Actors on Actors series. “If I knew she was going to be in a scene that day… I got all flushed. Put extra makeup on — ‘Give me another pound of makeup.’ It was very difficult.”
Danny DeVito recalled his experience working with Michelle Pfeiffer on “Batman Returns.” Corbis via Getty Images
“Just so wonderful,” DeVito said of working with the actress, adding that he “lusted after” her. Warner Bros/Dc Comics/Kobal/Shutterstock
DeVito later clarified that it was his character, Oswald Cobblepot, that was lustful.
When Farrell jokingly asked if Pfeiffer called security on him, he replied, “I kind of feel like she liked it. She liked Oswald.”
DeVito and Farrell have both played iconic Batman villain — DeVito in Tim Burton’s “Batman Returns” and Farrell in Matt Reeves’ “The Batman.” Farrell then went on to star as the character in the critically acclaimed HBO miniseries “The Penguin.”
He also called her a “goddess” while chatting with Colin Farrell for Variety. WireImage
DeVito played Penguin and Pfeiffer played Catwoman in the 1992 film. Corbis via Getty Images
During the candid conversation, DeVito made it clear he was not a fan of method acting when Farrell asked if he ever took the character home with him.
“No, I go home to Rhea [Perlman] and the kids,” he said. “I played some really despicable characters; you’ve got to shed that.”
DeVito and Perlman have been married since 1982 and share three kids together: Lucy, Gracie, and Jack.Though they separated in 2017, they’re still officially married.
The two actors also talked about cutting back on alcohol with Farrell having been sober since 2005 while DeVito shared that he’s cut back.
Farrell jokingly asked if the actress called security on DeVito. Variety
The “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” star then clarified that it was his character, Oswald Cobblepot, that was lustful. Getty Images for TCM
“Just a sip of wine,” DeVito said of his current alcohol consumption. “But I’m a martini guy. I go for the gin. Smoking the cigars. But when I’m on the health kick, which I am now, I’m staying off the booze.”
“I feel much better,” he added as he and Farrell both said they don’t miss drinking booze.
Meanwhile, Pfeiffer is still showing off her ageless looks with makeup-free selfies, stunning her fans.
In April, she was honored with her own hand and footprints ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles where she looked chic in a black suit and satin blouse.
Pfeiffer has been married to TV writer and producer David E. Kelley since 1993 and share two kids together: 32-year-old Claudia and 30-year-old son John.
