Tony Danza reflects on career ‘wrong turn’ after ‘Who’s the Boss’

After nearly five years of acting career, Tony Danza Still looking for ways to surprise myself.

His latest comedy, re-electedcast the legendary actor as Stan, the father of emotionally stunted middle-aged Jimmy (played by the film’s writer-director) Adam Sanders), he re-enters high school to try to win a long-lost race for class president. A strange premise? Maybe, but at the heart of the film is something universally relatable: the pain of unfinished business.

“There’s an old saying that if you’re at war with the past, you have no future. It’s absolutely true, but it’s hard not to go back,” Danza, 74, said exclusively US Weekly Why he was attracted to this project. “I’ve made some big decisions that, looking back, I’m like, ‘I wasn’t sure about that decision.'” You can’t help but wondering what might happen. …That’s what we’re talking about in this movie. “

Danza says it was Sanders’ ability to capture the timeless theme of regret that drew him to the character of Stan.

“It’s somewhere in the lexicon of old movies. It’s a funny movie, but it has a message. It has something to say,” Danza explained, adding that the “father-son” dynamic between his character and Jimmy is also relevant to the father of three. “I think it’s very important.”

Danza admits that off-screen, looking back at what could have been, he’s experienced it too. he told us He wishes he could redo some decisions in his position who is the boss sky. (Danza starred on the hit sitcom for eight seasons from 1984 to 1992, winning critical and fan acclaim for her portrayal of the lovable live-in butler Tony.)

“I just want to be the funniest guy on TV. I want to do another sitcom (after boss) I got offered a one-hour series and I said, ‘(No), I’m going to do a sitcom and this is what I do,'” Danza recalled. “Looking back now, I really think that was probably a big turning point in what I’d always aspired to and what I wanted to do and what I wanted to get out of my career. …I think I took a wrong turn there. “

While Danza won’t accept the part he wishes he’d said “yes” to – “It makes me so tired!” he admits – his career isn’t the only area of ​​his life he’d like to start over. like jimmy was re-electedDanza looks back on his time in high school and wishes he could have “taken more advantage” of the educational system he had.

“I did enough. I charmed the teacher, (but) I don’t know why I didn’t get an A,” he said. “I finished college, I did everything, but again I look back and say, ‘Why didn’t I really make the most of it?'”

However, although Danza cannot turn back time to his teenage years like Jimmy, re-elected It’s also a reminder that personal growth has no deadline — something Danza takes to heart. These days, taxi The alum took lessons from everywhere and from everyone, from the film roles that constantly challenged him to watching his children — son Mark, 54, daughters Katherine, 38, and Emily, 33 — navigate their own lives.

“I mean, that’s the funniest thing now. I’m so old and all I want to do is be a student,” he told me us Laughed. “Right now, I’m learning piano. I have Duolingo. I’m (learning) Spanish. I mean, I have a list. I’m out of control!”

Danza enjoys absorbing new knowledge of all ages. Take his grandson as an example, The one person he turned to for help When it comes to keeping up with the times. Just this holiday season, the actor is taking a vacation from the University of Kansas while hanging out in New York City.

“It’s not about sitting down and going, ‘I’m going to teach you a lesson,'” Danza explained of the pair’s dynamic. “But just like being around him, I learned. I kept my eyes open and listened to him, and he’s a great kid.”

Danza also exudes wisdom. Through his nonprofit organization, the Rising Stars Project, the actor works directly with young performers. The New York-based nonprofit currently has 80 students next semester, where Danza and his fellow educators will teach teens about “performance, voice, movement and wellness.”

“It’s a life plan. We teach them about health. We teach them how to (shopping) for groceries. Then I rented a kitchen on 57th Street and we took all the kids there and I made them cook,” he told us us Non-profit organization. “marvelous.”

Danza extends the role of educator to his own children—now adults—who he calls his “best friends.” His “wonderful” son Mark now coaches his own children, and his eldest daughter Catherine has just welcomed his “beautiful” granddaughter Rosie. and youngest child Emily, who is “starting a business” and is currently moving from Los Angeles to Ohio.

Danza said educating his children, no matter their age, is an ongoing conversation and one he enjoys. “They (are) very active and I’m involved in their lives,” he said with a smile. “It couldn’t be better.”

For Danza, father and grandfather are clearly the roles he is most proud of. He told us that their happiness us, More important than any job or award.

“There’s an old saying, ‘You’re only as happy as your unhappiest child.’ That’s very true,” Danza explained. “I’m really lucky and I really enjoy the gift of happiness that my children bring because they are hard workers and they strive hard and that’s what I say to everyone who meets me: ‘Kid, your kids have good manners.’ You did something, right. ‘I feel really good about it. This is indeed a thing. “

re-elected Now available on demand.