“Power Book III: Raising Kenan” star Tony Danza said getting older has made him “want to be kinder” and teased an ending that even shocked the cast.
For more than four decades, Tony Danza has been one of America’s most enduring television stars. He starred in the Emmy Award-winning sitcom Who’s the Boss? For someone as beloved by fans as Taxi, Danza has made a career out of creating characters with grit, warmth and palpable charm. He introduced himself to a new generation as Stefano Marchetti, a gangster in the Thrones universe. He found his way to the hip-hop generation.
When AllHipHop caught up with Danza, the conversation with Ricardo Hazel quickly went beyond television. The veteran actor reflects on how age has softened his perspective, why villains need a little humanity, and even teased the finale of his latest season of “Power.” The former teacher has spent years advocating for arts education, mentoring young performers and investing in programs that provide a wealth of opportunities for youth.
Danza even shared a touching story about a young student who joined his freelance acting project for all the wrong reasons and then discovered a life-changing passion. This interview is red carpet gold.
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AllHipHop: You’ve made it through “Who’s the Boss?” 》 and other programs have taught generations of people a lesson. As a young actor you played one type of character and now you’re playing an older character. How do you remain a genuinely good guy without coming across as a reclusive “old guy”? You are always involved in positive things. What’s the secret?
Tony Danza: I don’t know about you, but I just want to be kinder as I get older. I’m past those years. I think that’s what happened. You are gentle.
AllHipHop: I think likability is what makes your character work. Even though he wasn’t a great guy, people still found themselves rooting for him.
Tony Danza: That’s what’s important. You never want a character to be one note. Everyone knows he’s a bad guy, but occasionally he can be lovable. This is what he smells like.
AllHipHop: This season is building to a huge climax. What else can fans expect without giving too much away? Did your character win, lose, or break even?
Tony Danza: Well, he has a great opponent in Joey Penters, so there’s going to be a lot of trouble there. I say this at every table reading. People were literally screaming in shock. The actors were like, “What? Are you kidding me? No!” and I think the audience would have the same reaction. They will be very surprised.
AllHipHop: Is there anything I should ask you before I let you go? Has Power opened more doors for you?
Tony Danza: You know what I’m really excited about? I’m working on a project in New York called the Rising Star Project. This is a free program for New York City high school students. We teach acting, voice, dance and health.
There is a story that always impresses me. A child joins the program when he is 16 years old. I asked him if he wanted to go to college. He said, “No. My grandfather made life. My father made life. I want to do the same.”
I said, “Okay, today might be tougher, but what about the show?”
“I don’t really like acting,” he said.
So I asked: “Then why did you come?”
He said, “Well… it’s free. I thought there might be girls.”
He is right. (laugh)
We kept him in the program. He eventually graduated from SUNY Purchase and now plays Romeo in Shakespeare in the Park.
AllHipHop: This is an incredible story. This is part of your legacy. This is not just a TV production. It’s the life you’re helping to shape and the positive energy you’re putting into the world.
Tony Danza: Thank you. I appreciate this.
Power Book III: Raising Kanan is currently running on Starz.
