(Phil) gives a gold medal performance as a surly satyr and trainer of heroes who, after a string of disappointments, is down to one last hope. A tough taskmaster, Phil trains Herc for the challenges that lie ahead but is unable to prepare him for the labor of love.
For the veteran actor, doing a voice for a Disney animated film was a great new experience. "I'm a big Disney fan," he says. "I was really glad that they asked me to do the part of Phil. It's exciting and the animation is so beautiful. The music is also great and I get to sing a song in the film, which is really cool. I've never done any singing, so it was really a gas to do it with an orchestra and the whole megillah. I've recorded a lot of music for the movies that I've directed, but this was the first time I ever got to actually sing with a 90 piece orchestra.
"Phil is a neat looking character," observes DeVito. "He's half-goat and half-man and he's also very bawdy. The animators pick up little characteristics of your movement and incorporate them into this goat-man character and it's wonderful to see. They're great artists. When you're doing the voice in front of the microphone and you're whackin' away at the lines, they get you to do great things. You can fall off cliffs, do spins in the air and other things that you can't normally do. I can't do those things but it's amazing to have my character do them."
As for the film itself, DeVito calls it "empowering and a good lesson for kids. Hercules fights the forces of evil and, like in all good fairy tales, the evil forces represent the tough things we all need to face and overcome in our own lives."
DeVito has been called the most likable person in Hollywood as well as one of the entertainment industry's most successful filmmakers. Having written, directed and produced several short films early in his career, he finally gained recognition in 1987 for directing and starring in "Throw Mama from the Train." Since then, he has directed many successful and critically acclaimed motion pictures including "The War of the Roses," "Jack the Bear," "Hoffa" and "Matilda."
In 1992 he formed Jersey Films with producers Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher. In addition to producing such films as Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction," which won the 1994 Palme d'Or and seven Academy Award® nominations, Jersey Films has also launched "Reality Bites," "Get Shorty," "Sunset Park," "Feeling Minnesota" and "Fierce Creatures."
DeVito's recent film credits include "Mars Attacks," "Space Jam" and "Matilda." He also starred in "Junior," "Renaissance Man," "Batman Returns," "Jack the Bear," "Other People's Money," "Twins," "Romancing the Stone," "Jewel of the Nile," "Wise Guys," "Ruthless People," "Tin Men," "Terms of Endearment" and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest."
On television, DeVito achieved prominence as the star of the hit series "Taxi," which earned him Emmy and Golden Globe Awards.
Born in New Jersey, DeVito attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel grammar school and Oratory Prep School in Summit. After graduation, he pursued several jobs before studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Art in New York. He subsequently appeared off-Broadway in productions of "The Man With the Flower in His Mouth" and "The Shrinking Bride," which led to the role of Martini in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." He recreated his role in the film adaptation.
