Veteran actor Danny DeVito faced a near-drowning situation while filming an underwater scene for “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” as detailed by author Kimberly Potts during a June 24 interview with the New York Post.
The incident took place during the production of Season 11’s episode “The Gang Goes to Hell: Part Two,” which aired in March 2016. The scene required DeVito and co-stars Glenn Howerton, Kaitlin Olson, Charlie Day, and Rob McElhenney to act out being trapped in a leaking room on a cruise ship.
Potts, promoting her upcoming book “It’s (Almost) Always Sunny in Philadelphia: How Three Friends Spent $200 to Create the Longest-Running Live-Action Sitcom in History and Help Build a Network,” explained that DeVito was weighted down for the scene as the water level rose. During the shoot, DeVito was inadvertently kicked in the shoulder, near his head, which led to the dangerous situation.
According to Potts, DeVito nearly drowned, causing concern among the crew. After the incident, DeVito left the set quietly, ending his workday. Potts mentioned that despite DeVito’s threshold for challenging scenes, most experiences with him remain positive. Olson described him as the happiest person she knows.
Charlie Day had previously recounted the event during a 2016 appearance on “Conan,” providing further insights into the underwater sequence. Day noted that DeVito’s buoyancy required weights to keep him submerged.
When the scene concluded, and the actors attempted to surface, Day remembered that while others ascended quickly, DeVito was stuck midway due to the weights. Day observed a look of panic in DeVito’s eyes, as if he thought his co-stars had endangered him.
Safety divers eventually rescued DeVito, who was about 71 years old at the time. Despite the severity of the event, DeVito maintained his humor, telling Extra in 2017 that his life flashed before his eyes during the scene.
Potts disclosed that DeVito was frustrated by the incident, suggesting it had a more significant impact than his public comments indicated. The experience highlighted the physical challenges and risks involved in filming action sequences, even in a comedy series.
“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” emerged as a success for Rob McElhenney and Glenn Howerton, who created and co-developed the show by independently shooting the pilot with minimal funds. Day later expressed doubts about the often-cited $200 budget for the original pilot.
Comedy Central acquired the show’s syndication rights in 2009, establishing its place in television history. Although Howerton recently discussed the possibility of ending the series, the decision remains under annual review.
The Season 11 incident underscores the physical risks actors face during filming, even with safety measures in place. Despite the incident, DeVito continued his role on the show, demonstrating his dedication to the long-running series.
“It’s Always Sunny” is set to start its 17th season in July, with DeVito remaining a central figure alongside the original creators. The series’ enduring production suggests that the near-drowning episode did not discourage DeVito from future participation in the Philadelphia-based comedy.
