A Look Inside ‘Who’s The Boss?’ Star Tony Danza’s Life As A Father And His Four Grown Kids

Aug 24, 2022

Tony Danza is best known for his role as Tony Micelli in "Who's The Boss?" playing a widowed father who moves from New York City to Fairfield, Connecticut, to work as a live-in housekeeper while also raising a daughter and being a father figure to his employer’s son. In real life, Danza is putting the lessons he learned on set to be a great father to his four children.

Danza was born in Brooklyn, New York, on Apr. 21, 1951. In college, he studied history at the University of Dubuque and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1972. Fresh out of college, he began boxing professionally, winning nine bouts out of 12. His experience in the ring made him the perfect choice for his first television role as a taxi driver and boxer Tony Banta in “Taxi.” The sitcom focusing on the lives of New York taxi drivers aired from September 1978 to June 1983 and was a hit with viewers. It earned 31 Emmy nominations and won 18, including three for Outstanding Comedy Series. Besides Danza, it starred Judd Hirsch, Christopher Lloyd and Danny DeVito as the drivers’ dispatcher.

After the conclusion of the show, Danza starred in “Who’s The Boss?” which was also a spectacular hit. It ran from September 1984 to April 1992 and centered on Danza’s character as he navigated being a housekeeper and fathering his own daughter, played by Alyssa Milano. Judith Light played his divorced employer Angela Bower while Danny Pintauro played her character’s son, Jonathan. 

In real life, Danza was already a dad, having welcomed a son, Marc, with his first wife, Rhonda Yeoman, in 1971. Keep reading to find out more about Danza as a dad and what his children are up to now.

Danza and Yeoman first divorced in 1974 before reconnecting in 1983 and marrying again. That same year, they had another child, daughter Gina. However, their union would not last, and they called it quits for good in 1985. He then married Tracy Robinson in 1986, and they, too, have two children together – daughters Katherine, who was born in 1987, and Emily in 1993.

In 1989, Danza reflected on his growing maturity as a father with the birth of each child.

“When my son Marc was born, I went out to a bar and celebrated. When Katie was born, I was there as the coach. I was the Vince Lombardi of birth,” he told Orange Coast.

“I was 19 when Marc was born. We were both growing up at the same time, and I’m the one who lost out, not spending time with him,” he added.

He described the disparity to Redbook as well, saying, “Growing up, Marc got cheated in a lot of ways because when he was born, I was only 19. My ex-wife would say, ‘Look how cute he is,’ and I’d say: ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah. Call me later. I’ll be at the bar.’” Things were different for the birth of his daughter Katie, whose birth Danza had taped. He calls “coaching” his wife through the delivery “'the most beautiful thing I’ve ever, ever, ever been through.”'

Marc had earlier dabbled in acting in his earlier days, appearing in “The View” and “The John Davidson Show.” He also made an appearance with his father in “Taxi.” On May 3, 2017, he posted a throwback picture of himself and Marc on the set with the caption, “Hanging with my son Marc on the set of Taxi. Now he’s got two boys of his own!” 

Despite his earlier regrets, Danza went on to become close with Marc, now 51. Not only is he close to lookalike son Marc, but Danza is living it up as grandfather to Marc’s two sons. 

“No, grandfatherhood! Yes, I’m beyond father,” he exclaimed to Closer Weekly, adding, “it’s very profound to watch your son father his sons, especially when he’s so much better at it than you were. It’s really scary!” 

He further described the difference as such: “I said to Marc, ‘You know what the difference is between you and me as a father? See how you take your kids to play baseball? I used to take you to watch me play baseball.’ And at the end of the game, I’d say ‘how did I do?’”

Danza and Marc have also co-authored a cookbook together titled “Don’t Fill Up on the Antipasto.” 

While it’s clear the two share a sweet father-son bond, Danza’s daughters have all grown into their own as well.

While little is known about his second eldest child, Gina, his third child, Katherine, has been making a splash in the Hollywood make-up scene. The 35-year-old works as a freelance make-up artist and frequently features her work on high-profile celebrities, including Rachel Bilson, Malin Akerman and Riley Keough, on her Instagram page.

Like, Gina, his youngest daughter Emily has stayed out of the limelight as well, and not much is known about the 29-year-old.

Meanwhile, it was reported a “Who’s The Boss?” sequel is in the works for the Amazon streaming service Freevee. Danza and Milano are set to reprise their roles, although the series will focus on Milano’s character as a single mother. 

Are you a fan of Tony Danza and “Who’s The Boss?” What do you think of his transition into parenthood, particularly after his first child Marc? Let us know, and don’t forget to pass this on to family and friends.