Veteran actor Danny DeVito faced a life-threatening situation during the filming of an underwater scene for “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” as detailed in an interview with the New York Post by author Kimberly Potts on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.
The dangerous occurrence took place during the filming of the Season 11 episode, “The Gang Goes to Hell: Part Two,” which was broadcast in March 2016. The scene required DeVito to perform an underwater stunt with his co-stars Glenn Howerton, Kaitlin Olson, Charlie Day, and Rob McElhenney, depicting the characters trapped on a cruise ship as water filled the room.
Potts, who is promoting her forthcoming 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,” noted that DeVito was weighed down for the scene as water levels rose. During the filming, an accidental kick to DeVito’s shoulder near his head escalated the situation.
The author recounted that DeVito nearly drowned, with the crew expressing concern for his safety. Potts mentioned that DeVito quietly left the set after the event, concluding his work for the day. Despite this incident, Potts described DeVito’s work experiences as generally positive, with Olson referring to him as “the happiest person she’s ever known.”
Charlie Day, one of DeVito’s co-stars, previously described the incident on “Conan” in 2016, offering further insight into the underwater sequence. Day explained that DeVito’s buoyancy required the use of weights to keep him submerged for the shot.
When the scene ended, and the cast surfaced for air, Day recalled that while other actors moved through the water with ease, DeVito was stuck halfway due to the weights. Day described seeing panic in DeVito’s eyes, suggesting he felt his fellow actors may have endangered him.
Safety divers on set eventually assisted DeVito, who was about 71 years old at the time. Despite the severity of the situation, DeVito joked about the experience, telling Extra in 2017 that he had lived a good life, and it flashed before his eyes during the scene.
Potts revealed that DeVito was frustrated by the incident, implying it had a more profound impact on him than his public comments suggested. The near-drowning highlighted the physical demands and potential dangers involved in filming action scenes, even in a comedy series.
“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” emerged as an unexpected success for Rob McElhenney and Glenn Howerton, who created and co-developed the show by independently filming the pilot with minimal funding. Day later expressed uncertainty regarding the often-quoted $200 budget for the original pilot.
Comedy Central acquired the show’s syndication rights in 2009, solidifying its place in television history. While Howerton recently discussed the possibility of ending the series, the decision continues to be evaluated annually.
The Season 11 incident serves as a reminder of the risks actors face during filming, even with safety measures. Despite the situation, DeVito continued his role on the show, showcasing his dedication to the long-running series that has entertained audiences for nearly two decades.
“It’s Always Sunny” is set to begin its 17th season in July, with DeVito remaining a central cast member alongside the original creators. The show’s enduring production indicates that the near-drowning incident did not deter DeVito from future participation in the Philadelphia-set comedy series.