Danny DeVitoandRhea Perlmanhave made a great team for over 50 years.
The costars, co-parents and longtime companions started dating in 1971 and married in 1982. They've worked together in big and small screen productions and raisedthree children together. Though the formerTaxiandMatildastars separated in 2017, they've maintained their friendship andcontinue to support each otheras they always have.
As Perlman celebrates her 78th birthday on March 31, 2026, take a look back at throwback photos snapped during the earlier days ofher relationship with DeVito.
Early Days
Perlman and DeVito dated for over 10 years and shared the screen in the hit seriesTaxibefore they made it to the altar. They married in January 1982, just months before Perlman stepped into herEmmy-winning role as Carla onCheers.
Sharing a Set
Perlman and DeVito had been together for several years when he got his big break as Louie inTaxi, but the actress didn't start appearing on the sitcom until its second season. Mirroring real life, she played Louie's love interest Zena.
Acting in Tandem
Perlman and DeVitoplayed a couple once againin the 1996 comedyMatilda. They starred as the titular character's cruel parents, Harry and Zinnia Wormwood.
Double the Laughs
The dynamic duo co-hosted an episode ofSaturday Night Livein 1983.
All About Family
As they continued building their careers, they also startedgrowing a familytogether. The sitcom stars welcomed their daughter Lucy in 1983 and had a second daughter, Grace, two years later. DeVito and Perlman became parents of three with the arrival of their son Jake in 1987.
In 2022, Perlman spoke to PEOPLE about how becoming a momchanged her perspective and priorities.
"Cheersmight have been everything in the beginning of my career, but family is everything, everything," theBarbieactress said. "If my relationships with my children were strained, I would be beside myself."
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Lasting Friendship
Though they've maintained a solid bond as companions and co-parents, Perlman and DeVito have beenseparated since 2017. TheIt's Always Sunny in Philadelphiastar told PEOPLE they've stayed "very close" andremain in each others lives.
"We're friends," DeVito said. "We're happy. Everybody's happy."
Rare Partnership
Perlmanechoed DeVito's sentimentin her 2022 interview with PEOPLE.
"We're still separated, but we see each other often, and we're still a family," the New York native said. "We can do things together, we can do things separately. I'm really, really glad that Danny and I were able to navigate some rough days to be able to have this different kind of relationship. I think it's pretty rare, but we agree on so many things that it makes sense."
Longtime Friends
During a 2019 appearance onWatch What Happens Live, thePomsactress explained why she and DeVitodon't plan to officially divorce.
"I don't know why it's difficult for other people, but Danny and I have always loved each other and we have three amazing children together," Perlman toldAndy Cohen. "We really agree on almost everything important."
Glam Together
Regardless of their romantic status, DeVito and Perlman continue to walk red carpets together as they've done for the past five decades. Most recently, they were joined bytheir daughter Lucy, who is also an actress, at the 75th Emmy Awards.
Cheers to You!
At the Emmy Awards, DeVito nodded to his wife's success when hereunited with hisIt's Always Sunny in Philadelphiacostarson stage during the ceremony. As the crew jokingly complained about their show's lack of Emmy wins, DeVito cheekily pointed out Perlman nabbed four of the awards forCheers.
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They have always cheered each other on as plus-ones on the red carpet (here, Perlman accompanies DeVito to the premiere of 1986'sRuthless People). Their willingness to show up for one another extends beyond marriage. In April 2025, DeVito and Perlman made a joint appearance on stage at the Champions for Children Gala.
Golden Globe-Trotters
The two frequently turned theGolden Globesinto their date night, going several times in the '80s and '90s. They last attended together in 1996.
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