Robert De Niro is an iconic American actor, producer, and director, widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in film history. Known for his intense method acting and versatility, De Niro has portrayed a wide range of characters in a career spanning over five decades.
Early Life
- Born on August 17, 1943, in New York City, Robert Anthony De Niro Jr. grew up in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village and Little Italy.
- De Niro Sr. was a noted abstract expressionist painter, and his mother was a poet and painter.
- After his parents divorced when he was a child, De Niro was primarily raised by his mother.
- De Niro showed an early interest in acting and attended prestigious institutions like the High School of Music & Art, Stella Adler Conservatory, and Lee Strasberg’s Actors Studio, where he honed his craft.
Career Highlights
- Breakthrough Roles:
- De Niro’s first significant role came in “Bang the Drum Slowly” (1973), where he played a dying baseball player.
- His collaboration with director Martin Scorsese began with “Mean Streets” (1973), establishing a lifelong professional partnership.
- Signature Performances:
- “The Godfather Part II” (1974): De Niro won his first Academy Award (Best Supporting Actor) for playing a young Vito Corleone, a role that required him to speak almost entirely in Sicilian.
- “Raging Bull” (1980): De Niro won his second Academy Award (Best Actor) for his transformative role as boxer Jake LaMotta, gaining significant weight to depict LaMotta in his later years.
- Other notable films include:
- “The Deer Hunter” (1978)
- “Once Upon a Time in America” (1984)
- “Goodfellas” (1990)
- “Casino” (1995)
- “Heat” (1995)
- Comedic Roles:
- De Niro showcased his comedic skills in films like “Midnight Run” (1988), “Analyze This” (1999), and “Meet the Parents” (2000), proving his versatility.
- Later Career:
- In recent years, De Niro has continued to deliver strong performances in films like “Silver Linings Playbook” (2012), “The Irishman” (2019), and “Joker” (2019).
- His role in “The Irishman”, another collaboration with Scorsese, earned critical acclaim and a resurgence in his career.
Directing Career
- De Niro made his directorial debut with “A Bronx Tale” (1993), a coming-of-age story set in the 1960s, based on a play by Chazz Palminteri.
- His second directorial effort, “The Good Shepherd” (2006), explored the origins of the CIA.
Awards and Honors
- De Niro has won two Academy Awards and received numerous nominations throughout his career.
- In 2009, he received the Kennedy Center Honors for his contribution to American culture.
- He was honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes in 2011 for his lifetime achievement in film.
Personal Life
- De Niro has been married twice. He first married actress Diahnne Abbott in 1976; they divorced in 1988 and have two children.
- In 1997, he married Grace Hightower, with whom he has two children. The couple separated in 2018.
- De Niro has six children in total and is a proud grandfather.
Legacy
Robert De Niro’s career has left an indelible mark on cinema. His ability to fully immerse himself in roles, his collaboration with directors like Martin Scorsese, and his influence on subsequent generations of actors solidify his status as a true legend of film.
