BLAST FROM THE PAST: Tony Danza and Tupac Shakur Were Prison Pen Pals

There have been some crazy pairings and friendships over the years in Hollywood, but could you ever imagine Tony Danza and Tupac Shakur being one of them?

In a new interview with Access Hollywood Live, Danza said that was exactly the case, and that the two developed a bit of a friendship when Shakur was in prison:

“I was trying to make a point that since he had five bullets holes in him and he was in jail and he’s the same guy that wrote ‘Dear Mama’ and did all those great acting roles, I said, ‘Maybe there is a better way to do this. Maybe, I know you can’t be a goodie two-shoes in your business, but maybe there is a way to inspire kids.”

Danza said that while he was trying to make a point, Shakur knew exactly where he was coming from:

“I said, ‘Because you have such a great influence, responsibility comes with that…He wrote me back [and said], ‘Thanks for understanding me.’”

After the initial two letters, the “Taxi” star says that he and Tupac “started having this writing thing,” but only met years later at a film premiere.

Tony’s new book, “I’d Like To Apologize To Every Teacher I Ever Had,” is available now.