Danny Torrance, also known as Tony is a supporting character of the Stephen King Multiverse.
Serving as the overarching protagonist of the novel The Shining, it's 1997 miniseries, and the 2013 sequel Doctor Sleep.
He was the imaginary friend of Danny Torrance. Because he has the "Shining," it allows him to detect spirits and thus makes him a target of the Overlook Hotel. It also allows him to see past, present, and future events through his 'guide', Tony. He is actually a physical being to Danny. Tony (his name taken from Danny's middle name, Anthony), is at first to Danny an imaginary playmate, then a source of fear, and finally a source of strength. Towards the end of the novel It is revealed that Tony is actually Danny from the future, and is using the Shining to try and and physically warn his younger self about going to the Overlook Hotel.
The Shining (book)[]
Tony is, at first, a mere imaginary playmate. He then evolves into a source of fear, and finally a source of strength. Toward the end of the novel, Tony reveals himself to Danny: "'Danny ... you're in a place deep down in your own mind. The place where I am. I'm a part of you, Danny.'" More specifically, Tony is Danny from the future: "Tony was like looking into a magic mirror and seeing himself in ten years"; "Tony ... the Daniel Anthony Torrance that would someday be."
The Shining (film)[]
Tony is never shown in the film, leaving his appearance entirely to the imagination. He lives in Danny's mouth and hides in his stomach and appears to Danny by showing him a series of visions. He manifests himself through young Danny's finger wagging.
The Shining (miniseries)[]
Tony is Danny's imaginary friend who appears as a human but is not a physical figure. Tony is also the name of Danny's stuffed dog which has no importance on the story. He appears as a young blond male late teen/adult with round glasses and white clothes. He repeatedly warns Danny not to go to the overlook, enter room 217 etc. As the plot progresses, Tony appears less and less. At the very end of the miniseries, there is a scene set 10 years in the future which involves Dick Halloran being late for Danny's graduation. When older Danny (An estimated 17 years) appears on set, he is portrayed by Wil Horneff like Tony. It is revealed that Danny's middle name is Anthony. It can be inferred from this that Danny when he is a late teen/adult uses the Shining to revisit himself as a seven year old boy before he goes to the overlook, and warn his younger self of the danger.
Doctor Sleep[]
Tony becomes the thought to be 'imaginary friend' of Abra Stone, a young girl from New England very powerful with the Shining (more so than Dan/Danny). Tony is never described or said to be seen in the book, just mentioned as Abra's imaginary friend. While a small child, Abra communicates with, now known as, Dan Torrance through a blackboard at Dan's office where he works at a hospice. Abra knows and thinks of Dan as Tony's dad. Later in the book when Abra is older, she calls on Dan for help.
Appearances[]
Trivia[]
- While Tony's appearance is clearly absent in the 1980 film, he can considered to be shown somewhere in Danny. But since nothing has applied to it like the novel and the miniseries, it remains a mystery in the film.