In The Shining, Danny gives his imaginary friend the name Tony.
Danny Torrance is the young son of Jack and Wendy Torrance in Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film. Tony appears to Danny as a figure associated with his psychic ability, which the film calls “the shining.” Danny often speaks for Tony by moving his finger and changing his voice.
The character’s identity is deliberately mysterious. Near the end of the film, Tony is connected to Danny’s future self, suggesting that the imaginary friend may represent Danny’s own insight or a psychological projection rather than a separate supernatural being. Stephen King’s novel, on which the film is based, also uses Tony as part of Danny’s unusual perception.
A common mix-up is confusing Tony with the Grady sisters, the ghostly children seen at the Overlook Hotel. They are separate characters. Tony is specifically Danny’s imagined companion and is central to how the story presents Danny’s powers.