Danny DeVito recalls spilling Coke on floor while attending Blazers game in 1975

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Beloved Hollywood celebrity Danny DeVito appeared on former NFL wide receiver Julian Edelman’s podcast “Games with Names” on Dec. 3, where he shared a story about a night out in Portland with Jack Nicholson while the actors were filming “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” in January of 1975.

Nicholson, DeVito and Scatman Crothers took a break from filming at the Oregon State Hospital in Salem to drive north to Portland for a Trail Blazers game.

“We were in the middle of nowhere — he’s got a car and a couple of people hanging out with him,” DeVito said. “We had Scatman Crothers with us, and you know, there’s always a doobie.”

After getting a “contact high” on the drive up, DeVito, Nicholson and Crothers arrived at Veterans Memorial Coliseum. As they entered the arena, the crowd shifted its attention to Nicholson and his entourage.

“He’s a major star at this time,” DeVito said.

 DeVito, meanwhile, was just getting his break in Hollywood. Getting the red carpet treatment, an arena employee escorted the group to their courtside seats and offered to bring them snacks.

“[Nicholson] said: ‘C’mon, D. We’re going to have a great time. You want anything, D?’” DeVito recalled. “I said: ‘I’ll have a Coke.’ She gives me a Coke half the size of myself and we go down to the seats. Every single camera was focused on him. … It’s the big Trail Blazers game and it’s packed.”

The group took their seats and the game was about to begin. 

“We’re all standing out there waiting for the ball to be thrown in the air and tipped,” DeVito said. “[They] throw the ball up. Just as the guy’s tipping the ball, I kick my Coke over. … Center court … it just covers everything. A tsunami of Coca-Cola all over. Whistles blowing! … People running with towels and spray buckets. … Every team looking at me [with scowls].”

DeVito’s spill caused the game to stop shortly after it began.

“They wipe it up. They’re all ready to go,” DeVito said. “Just before they get out there to set up where they’re gonna be … [Nicholson] looks at me and goes: ‘You want another Coke D?’”

Watch a shortened video of the interview or listen to the story in its entirety by clicking here. DeVito’s Trail Blazers story begins about 59 minutes into the interview.