Back in 2017, Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman separated for good following over 30 years of marriage.
JC Olivera / Getty Images
The pair — who welcomed three children together during their marriage — have maintained a friendly relationship as estranged spouses ever since they parted ways.
Walter McBride / Getty Images
In 2022, Rhea told People that she and Danny had a “rare” and “different kind of relationship.” “We're still separated, but we see each other often, and we're still a family,” she said. “We can do things together, we can do things separately. I'm really, really glad that Danny and I were able to navigate some rough days to be able to have this different kind of relationship. I think it's pretty rare, but we agree on so many things that it makes sense.”
Maya Dehlin / Getty Images
A couple of years later, Danny caught internet users by surprise after he gave Rhea a sweet shoutout on stage at the 2024 Emmys. Rhea was filmed beaming in the audience as her ex reminded everyone that she’d won four accolades over the years, prompting sweet online discourse about just how friendly the pair remained.
Vivien Killilea / Getty Images
In fact, a few months later, several people were convinced that Danny and Rhea were perhaps set to rekindle their romance after an unverified report claimed that the It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star was allegedly “absolutely besotted” with her, but “too chicken” to ask her out. (Neither Danny nor Rhea publicly addressed the report.)
Tibrina Hobson / Getty Images
Fast-forward to now, and Danny has lifted the lid on where he and Rhea stand today — as well as the reason why they still haven’t officially proceeded with their divorce.
Ron Galella / Getty Images
In an exclusive interview with AARP, Danny purportedly noted that he and Rhea still talk daily and even get together for weekly meals, with the author writing that the couple “plan to remain so in a sort of anti–War of the Roses.”
Toni Passig / Getty Images
“We’re always over at her house. We see the grandchildren together, that kind of stuff. So that’s a good relationship,” Danny said.
Michael Tran / Getty Images
Several fans immediately shared their thoughts on Danny’s comments, with some admitting that they were pretty confused by his and Rhea’s connection.
HIGHFIVE/Bauer-Griffin / Getty Images
“I genuinely want to understand their relationship. They’re married, but separated, but they spend most days together, and are a family for the sake of their grandchildren,” one person wrote, while another person speculated, “My understanding is that they figured out they work better without the legality of marriage. They still love each other but didn’t want to be married anymore.”
Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images
“My guess is they like each other, but don’t like being tied at the hip and the expectations that come with being a married couple (living together, merging finances, being expected to go to the in-laws, etc.),” someone else theorized.
Mathew Imaging / Getty Images
One more user added, “When we get to a certain age, figuring out how companionship can work in your life is all that matters. Traditional labels and whatever are meaningless.”