September '07 Entertainment—Tony Sacca Column

A Little Tony Danza History:


	As a youngster, Antonio Ladanza never dreamed of an acting career. The New Yorker from Brooklyn instead envisioned himself the next Rocky Graziano. Changing his name to "Dangerous" Tony Danza, he entered the New York Golden Gloves in 1975. Shortly afterwards, on Aug. 13, 1976, he started his professional boxing career. He attended college on a wrestling scholarship and competed as a boxer. Fighting as a middleweight, Danza became a crowd favorite for his walk-in slugging style. He compiled a record of 9-3 with nine knockout victories, seven in the first round. It was during a gym workout that he was discovered for the part of "Tony Banta" on the TV show, "Taxi" (1978). Danza still had hopes of being a world champion and scored knockouts in 1978 and 1979 while still acting on the television series, but unable to secure a title shot, retired from boxing to dedicate himself totally to his acting career. Did you know that Tony is actually behind the wheel of the cab that's driving across the bridge during the beginning credits of every episode of “Taxi”?

“Taxi” was followed by “Who’s the Boss” which ran for a combined 13 seasons. Tony tells me that during his taping of Taxi, he, Danny DeVito and some of the cast members would take tap dancing lessons when they had down time.

In 1993, Tony had a very serious accident which changed his life. He broke his back skiing in Utah, and has plates, rods, and screws in his spine. During his recovery time Tony realized that life could change in an instant and one must follow their dreams and live life to it’s fullest. So Tony decided to follow a dream and put together a night club act, while learning to play piano and trumpet. Living a dream is sort of like a boxer in training, something he knew so well. Sometimes you need to take the hits and falls to learn the business. His dedication and focus on boxing set the way for what was to become of this Brooklyn born.

Tony Danza received an Emmy nomination for a guest-starring role in “The Practice” (1997) and acclaim for his performance in the Broadway revival of "The Iceman Cometh" by Eugene O’Neill. Tony has two daughters Katie and Emily and one son, Marc Anthony Danza. Marc Anthony guest starred in an episode of “Taxi” (1978) playing a handicapped kid. Tony has a younger brother named Matty.

Tony played the Desert Inn in 1998 and returned in 2002 and 2003 to play at the Suncoast and the Orleans. Danza has come a long way from the streets of Brooklyn to the stage in Las Vegas. For tickets call 946-4567 or visit www.parislasvegas.com.

As a reminder: on September 11 to the 16, I will be hosting the 28th Annual San Gennaro Feast, located on west Flamingo Rd., west of the 215 in the Grand Canyon Shopping Center. From 9 pm to closing I will be featuring local favorite entertainers and celebrities from the strip. Stop by and say, “Hi.”