Danny DeVito is one of the lucky ones. Still going strong decades after he first caught people's attention as Martini in 1975's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, DeVito was a god in the '80s. And even today, he continues to amaze on TV's It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Sure, Danny's taken some good-natured lumps lately after at least one less-than-alert interview. (Is there a law against "talking under the influence of Lemoncello?") But we forgive him, because like Dudley Moore in Arthur, it's so damn funny. (Even though my dad once cautioned me to never laugh at comedies based on alcohol abuse. I think that was the same night we both split our spleens wide open watching Animal House. But I digress.)

BTW, my ultimate guilty pleasure DeVito flick? It's actually the 1984 made-for-cable movie called The Ratings Game, in which DeVito plays a trucking magnate who wants to get into the TV sitcom business. It was the first movie commissioned by Showtime and first movie DeVito would direct (and the one where he met future wife Rhea Perlman, I believe.)

DeVito hits a big birthday milestone today, turning 65 years old. If he doesn't celebrate with an ice-cold bottle of the sweet, yellow hooch, I'll be crushed.

TOP 5 DANNY DEVITO ROLES OF THE '80s:

4. OWEN (Throw Momma From The Train): "At least meet her. Maybe she'd be someone you'd like to kill."

4. RALPH (Romancing the Stone): "Uh, odio, er... ah... americanos, uh... I spit on 'em, ptuh! I hate americanos, they're scumo! Scum!"

3. VIC DE SALVO (The Ratings Game): "I didn't make a move on you for four days. If that isn't love, I don't know what is."

2. SAM STONE (Ruthless People): "Muffy, meet Adolph. Adolph, EAT MUFFY!"

1. LOUIE DE PALMA (Taxi): "Whenever I hear the word 'marriage,' I say, 'Check, please!' "

Must-see flicks outside the '80s: Get Shorty, Hoffa, L.A. Confidential, The Rainmaker