Name: From boxing to Big Band to ‘Taxi’: Tony Danza to talk personal life and career at Musikfest Cafe
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From boxing to Big Band to ‘Taxi’: Tony Danza to talk personal life and career at Musikfest Cafe

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For more than 45 years, actor and singer Tony Danza has been one of the world’s most beloved entertainers. Whether it’s his celebrated performances on shows like “Taxi” and “Who’s The Boss,” his extensive movie and Broadway credits, or even rubbing elbows with the likes of legends like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and songwriter Sammy Cahn, Danza has firmly established himself as a multi-generational icon.But for all you know about Tony Danza, one of the things you might not know is that prior to becoming an actor, Danza envisioned himself as a teacher, even earning a bachelor’s degree in education. Before finding a job teaching, he made a living as a professional boxer until fate stepped in and took his life in a whole new direction.This is a small example of the stories fans can expect to hear on Friday, when Tony Danza brings his acclaimed “Standards &amp;Stories,” to the Musikfest Café in Bethlehem.The show combines Danza’s love of performing the timeless music from the Great American Songbook while interweaving stories from his personal and professional life. Who knows, there may even be a dash of soft shoe dancing and ukulele performances as well.I recently spoke with Danza about his show and more in this exclusive new interview.
Q: How did the idea to do a show called “Standards &amp; Stories” come about?Tony Danza: Back in 1993 I hit a tree while skiing and almost killed myself. When I came back from it I said to myself, “I’m getting a second chance. What haven’t I done yet?” By then I had already been tap dancing for about 10 years and realized what I wanted to do was be a song and dance man. So I called up my agent and said I wanted to try it and wrote it up. It’s called “Standards &amp; Stories,” which is pretty self-explanatory. It’s some of the greatest songs ever written played by a four-piece band led by Joe Davidian that will knock your socks off. Then I tell my stories: some professional, some personal, and a story about my mother that I’m very excited to tell. I try to make a connection with the audience and have them relate to the songs.&nbsp;People really seem to enjoy it and we have a great time playing it.Where does your love of The Great American Songbook come from?There are few reasons. First, my timing in life was unbelievable. I grew up in Brooklyn during the ’50s and then moved to Long Island and live an idyllic, suburban life for a few years. I went to the mid-west in 1968 and later trained as a fighter in New York in the ’70s in New York at Gleason’s Gym which at the time was the mecca of boxing. I moved to Hollywood in 1978 and when I got there I ended up becoming friends with Sammy Cahn, the great songwriter, who took me into the group and I become one of the guys. But my love for that music really comes from my mother. She was a big [Frank] Sinatra and that kind of music fan. I gravitate to it, and do you know why? It’s the words. There’s a song in the show I do by Sammy Cahn called “Please Be Kind” that goes, “this is my first affair, so please be kind”…”handle my heart with care, please be kind”… and this is the line I love — “this is all so grand, my dreams are on parade.” That song gets to me and that’s what I try to do with the audience: make a connection, have them relate to the stories and also get a few laughs.You mentioned being a boxer before moving to Hollywood. What inspired the transition into acting for you?In Hollywood every day someone gets a break, but not everyone gets a show like “Taxi.” We [surviving cast members] were on The View recently and they asked me how I did it because I had never acted before. I told them it’s because they [the cast] welcomed me with open arms. Think about it. These are trained actors who worked hard and got a series on the most popular network at the time [ABC] right after the #1 show on TV [“Three’s Company”] with the best Emmy-winning writers from “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” But there’s only one thing… we found this fighter in New York. He’s never acted before and we’re going to put him in the show [laughs]. But they all welcomed me with open arms and I got that chance to thrive.How it all happened was that a guy walked into the gym one day looking to make a pilot about a young fighter. I was in there boxing and the next thing I know he comes over and asks if I’d like to read. About six months later, by some crazy, circuitous, lucky thing, I found myself in [series creator] Jim Brooks’ office reading with Mandy Patinkin for a show called “Taxi.”What was it like moving from an ensemble cast in “Taxi” to being the lead in “Who’s The Boss?” Also, do you have an update on a series reboot?It was another break for the good guys. It was like going to Harvard Law School and becoming a lawyer. I went to school with “Taxi” and then when I got to “Who’s the Boss” I just applied what I had learned. There’s been talk about a new show going on for quite a while now. It’s not a reboot, it’s a sequel. The script is terrific and we’re just waiting for someone to go, “Come on! Let’s make it!” There’s good vibes in the air so we’ll see what happens. But what I’m doing and having a great time with now is playing a bad guy on the Starz series, “Raising Kanan,” which is a Power Book series now going into its fourth season.You originally had plans of becoming a teacher and in 2009 had the opportunity to teach 10-grade English at Philadelphia’s Northeast High School. What influenced your decision?I’ve always had a romantic notion about teaching because I worry about kids. When I was turning 60, I decided I finally wanted to try it and see what it was like. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. The truth is there are millions of miracles happening every year because of dedicated teachers. I even wrote a book about it called “I’d Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had: My Year as a Rookie Teacher at Northeast High.” The thing I do now is kind of an offshoot of it. In 2011 me and my partner developed a teen acting program called Youth Acting Through Performance. We stayed for two years and then went to the Police Athletic League here in New York City where we’ve engaged over 5,000 kids. I also have a thing called Cops and Kids Chorus where NYPD officers sing with the kids. We just sang at Radio City Music Hall opening for The Rockettes. This year we have a 501c3 and a wellness component where I take kids shopping and then we go home, get on a Zoom call, and cook together.Of all of the highlights of your career, what stands out to you as most memorable?That might take a while to ponder. I mean, I met and sang for Sinatra, hung out with Dean Martin and have been with Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé. Work wise, “Taxi” was unbelievable. But I was recently at a Comic Con in Salt Lake City signing autographs when a guy walked up to me with his daughter, who was about 29. He told me how they used to watch “Who’s The Boss” together. I was obviously flattered and said, “Oh, wow, that’s great!” He said, “No.. no. you made me a better father.” I looked at his daughter and she was nodding her head in agreement. With all of the influence we had with “Who’s The Boss,” I always worried about the message every week and wanted to make sure we took some responsibility. I’m really proud of that show.James Wood is a freelance writer. You can reach him at jimmywood@gmail.com

For more than 45 years, actor and singer Tony Danza has been one of the world’s most beloved entertainers. Whether it’s his celebrated performances on shows like “Taxi” and “Who’s The Boss,” his extensive movie and Broadway credits, or even rubbing elbows with the likes of legends like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and songwriter Sammy Cahn, Danza has firmly established himself as a multi-generational icon.But for all you know about Tony Danza, one of the things you might not know is that prior to becoming an actor, Danza envisioned himself as a teacher, even earning a bachelor’s degree in...

From boxing to Big Band to ‘Taxi’: Tony Danza to talk personal life and career at Musikfest Cafe

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