Robert De Niro is a famous American actor, director, and film producer born on August 17, 1943. He’s best known for working with director Martin Scorsese and is seen as one of the greatest actors of his time. He’s won many awards, including two Oscars, a Golden Globe, and honors like the Cecil B. DeMille Award.
De Niro learned acting from different places like HB Studio and Stella Adler Conservatory. He first worked with Scorsese in the movie “Mean Streets” in 1973. He won Oscars for his roles in “The Godfather Part II” and “Raging Bull” and got nominated for others like “Taxi Driver” and “The Deer Hunter.”
He’s been in lots of famous movies like “Goodfellas,” “Heat,” and “The Irishman.” De Niro even directed and acted in films like “A Bronx Tale” and “The Good Shepherd.” He’s also done comedy in movies like “Meet the Parents” and “Analyze This.”
Aside from movies, Robert De Niro co-founded TriBeCa Productions with Jane Rosenthal and started the Tribeca Film Festival. Many of his movies are considered important in American culture and have won awards. Some are even in the National Film Registry and the American Film Institute’s lists of the best films ever made.
| Full Name | Robert Anthony De Niro |
| Date of Birth | August 17, 1943 |
| Place of Birth | Manhattan, New York, USA |
| Occupation | Actor, Director, Producer |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.77 m) |
| Spouse | Grace Hightower (m. 1997–2018) Diahnne Abbott (m. 1976–1988) |
| Children | Drena De Niro, Julian Henry De Niro, Aaron Kendrick De Niro, Raphael De Niro, Elliot De Niro |
| Net Worth | $500 million |
Robert De Niro’s Early Life And Education
Robert Anthony De Niro was born in Manhattan, New York City, on August 17, 1943. His parents were painters named Virginia Admiral and Robert De Niro Sr. His dad was Irish and Italian, while his mom had Dutch, English, French, and German roots. They met at painting classes but split up when De Niro was just two years old because his dad told them he was gay. De Niro grew up with his mom in Greenwich Village and Little Italy. His dad stayed close, though.
De Niro got the nickname “Bobby Milk” because he had pale skin. He made friends with lots of kids in Little Italy, even though his dad didn’t like it. Some of those friends stayed with him for life. His mom used to be Presbyterian but stopped believing in God when she grew up. His dad stopped being Catholic when he was 12. Even though his parents didn’t want it, his grandparents secretly baptized him into the Catholic Church while he was with them during his parents’ divorce.
Robert De Niro went to PS 41 for elementary school and started acting when he was 10, playing the Cowardly Lion in “The Wizard of Oz” at school. Later, he went to Elisabeth Irwin High School and then the High School of Music & Art for a bit before switching to Charles Evans Hughes Junior High School. He eventually went to McBurney School and Rhodes Preparatory School for high school.
He was shy but found acting helped him open up, so he dropped out at 16 to become an actor. He thought if other actors could make a living, he could too, even if he wasn’t the best. He learned acting from different places like HB Studio, Lee Strasberg’s Actors Studio, and Stella Adler Conservatory. He admired actors like Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift, and Greta Garbo.
Career
Robert De Niro started his film career with smaller roles in movies like “Encounter Three Rooms” in Manhattan and Les Jeunes Loups in the mid-1960s. His breakthrough came with the film “Greetings” in 1968 a satire about young men avoiding the Vietnam War draft. This marked the beginning of his collaborations with director Brian De Palma. De Niro then appeared in several other films including Sam’s Song and “The Wedding Party” in 1969 which received positive reviews.
In the early 1970s, De Niro continued to build his career with roles in various films like “Bloody Mama” in 1970 and “Hi Mom!” in 1970 both of which showcased his versatility. He also appeared in other films before gaining widespread acclaim for his role in “Bang the Drum Slowly” in 1973 where he played a baseball player with Hodgkin’s disease. This performance earned him praise from critics and helped establish him as a talented character actor.
De Niro’s career reached new heights when he collaborated with Martin Scorsese for the first time in “Mean Streets” in 1973 followed by his pivotal role as the young Vito Corleone in “The Godfather Part II” in 1974 which earned him his first Academy Award. He continued to impress audiences and critics with his intense performances notably in “Taxi Driver” in 1976 where he played a disturbed taxi driver in New York City.
Throughout the late 1970s, De Niro starred in several acclaimed films including “1900” and “The Deer Hunter” in 1978 the latter of which earned him another Academy Award nomination. His collaboration with Scorsese continued with the biographical drama “Raging Bull” in 1980 where he portrayed the boxer Jake LaMotta a role that required significant physical transformation and earned him another Academy Award.
Despite being considered for other roles such as Jack Torrance in “The Shining” which eventually went to Jack Nicholson De Niro’s career remained synonymous with intense and transformative performances that solidified his status as one of the greatest actors of his generation.
In 1981, Robert De Niro returned to crime movies with “True Confessions” based on a novel by John Gregory Dunne. He played a priest at odds with his detective brother (Robert Duvall) investigating a murder. Critics found the plot tricky at times but praised the actors saying they worked so well together it was like watching a single seamless performance. After this De Niro aimed for more diverse roles and comedic films in the 1980s. He starred in “The King of Comedy” playing a struggling stand-up comedian. Though the film didn’t do well at the box office critics loved De Niro’s acting.
In Sergio Leone’s “Once Upon a Time in America” De Niro portrayed a Jewish gangster in New York City. The full-length version debuted at Cannes with a standing ovation but the shorter U.S. release received mixed reviews. He also appeared in “Falling in Love” a romantic comedy with Meryl Streep and ventured into sci-fi with “Brazil” though it didn’t perform well commercially. De Niro returned to the stage in 1986 and starred in “The Mission” a period drama set in South America.
In 1987, De Niro had smaller roles in “Angel Heart” and “The Untouchables.” He also served as president of the jury at the Moscow International Film Festival and provided narration for “Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam.” His comedic turn in “Midnight Run” (1988) playing a bounty hunter was a hit. Critics noted a change in his acting style saying he seemed more relaxed and natural.
De Niro turned down the role of Jesus in “The Last Temptation of Christ” but stayed busy with films like “Jacknife” and “We’re No Angels” in 1989. The latter a crime comedy received mixed reviews. In 1990, De Niro reunited with Martin Scorsese for “Goodfellas” earning critical acclaim for his role as a mobster. The same year he starred in “Awakenings” as a doctor experimenting with a new drug for catatonic patients.
His work continued with films like “Cape Fear” where he played a menacing convict seeking revenge and “A Bronx Tale” his directorial debut. De Niro’s versatility shone in movies ranging from comedy to drama solidifying his reputation as one of Hollywood’s most talented actors.
Robert De Niro kicked off 1998 starring in “Great Expectations” a modern take on Charles Dickens’ novel playing Arthur Lustig. He followed this up with “Ronin” where he portrayed Sam a former CIA mercenary hired for a dangerous mission. The movie debuted at the Venice Film Festival to positive reviews. The same year De Niro excelled in “Analyze This” a crime-comedy hit alongside Billy Crystal and Lisa Kudrow earning a Golden Globe nomination. In “Flawless” he played a homophobic cop recovering from a stroke a role that showcased his versatility more quietly.
In 2000, De Niro took on a comedic turn voicing Fearless Leader in “The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle.” He also starred in “Men of Honor” portraying Master Chief ‘Billy’ Sunday based on the life of Carl Brashear the Navy’s first African-American Master Diver. “Meet the Parents” marked another successful comedy role for him playing a tough CIA father-in-law. De Niro continued with diverse roles including a detective in “15 Minutes” and a seasoned thief in “The Score.”
Throughout the early 2000s, De Niro appeared in various films from crime thrillers like “City by the Sea” to sequels like “Meet the Fockers.” He also explored comedic roles further in “Analyze That” and “Meet the Parents” sequels. His versatility was evident in projects ranging from animated films to serious dramas like “Godsend” and documentaries like “9/11.”
As the decade progressed, De Niro balanced between comedies and dramas appearing in films like “Hide and Seek” and “The Good Shepherd” which explored the CIA’s origins. He continued with projects such as “Stardust” and “Righteous Kill” showcasing his enduring presence in Hollywood. De Niro’s career in the 2000s spanned a range of roles from critically acclaimed performances to projects with mixed reviews cementing his status as a versatile actor with enduring popularity.
In 2017, Robert De Niro played Bernie Madoff in the HBO movie “The Wizard of Lies” winning praise and earning an Emmy nomination. He later appeared on “Saturday Night Live” as Robert Mueller alongside Alec Baldwin’s Donald Trump also earning an Emmy nod. He was nominated again for producing Ava DuVernay’s series “When They See Us.”
In 2019, De Niro starred in “Joker” as talk show host Murray Franklin a film that was a box office hit and received multiple Academy Award nominations. He reunited with Martin Scorsese for “The Irishman” which also starred Al Pacino, Harvey Keitel, and Joe Pesci. The movie was highly acclaimed highlighting De Niro’s stellar performance and chemistry with his co-stars.
In 2020, De Niro appeared in Nancy Meyers’ comedy short “Father of the Bride Part 3(ish)” and starred in the crime comedy “The Comeback Trail.” He initially signed on for James Gray’s “Armageddon Time” but later dropped out. In early 2021, De Niro joined the cast of “Amsterdam” a historical comedy released in October 2022.
Later in 2022, De Niro starred in the mob drama “Alto Knights” directed by Barry Levinson, and appeared in “Savage Salvation” as Sheriff Church.
In 2023, De Niro played William King Hale in “Killers of the Flower Moon” directed by Scorsese. The film adapted from David Grann’s book received critical acclaim and De Niro was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role.
That year he also appeared in the comedy “About My Father” and the TV series “Nada.” De Niro announced his involvement in the Netflix series “Zero Day” and starred in the film “Ezra” which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
De Niro was set to receive a leadership award from the National Association of Broadcasters in 2024 but it was rescinded following his criticism of Donald Trump during the former president’s New York trial.
Net Worth
Robert De Niro has an estimated net worth of $500 Million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The main source of Robert De Niro’s net worth mainly comes from his successful career as an actor, with iconic roles in films like “Taxi Driver,” “Raging Bull,” and “The Godfather Part II.” Besides acting, he earns a significant income from his involvement in the hospitality industry, co-owning the Nobu restaurant chain and the Greenwich Hotel.
Additionally, De Niro co-founded the Tribeca Film Festival, which also contributes to his wealth. His ventures in both entertainment and business have helped him accumulate substantial financial success.
Personal life
Robert De Niro has lived in New York City for a long time and started investing in the Tribeca area in 1989. He owns properties on both the east and west sides of Manhattan. His main home is a big estate in Gardiner, New York, which is 78 acres.
In 1998, he talked to the U.S. Congress to try to stop them from kicking out President Bill Clinton.
In October 2003, De Niro found out he had prostate cancer. He had surgery at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in December 2003.
In 2006, he became a citizen of Italy. Some Italian groups didn’t like this because they thought his roles as a criminal in movies made Italians look bad.
In 2012, he joined a group that’s against fracking, a way of getting natural gas that can hurt the environment.
In 2016, Robert De Niro said he supported showing a movie called Vaxxed at a film festival. It was a controversial movie about vaccines, and he said he was interested because of his son who has autism. But the movie got taken out of the festival because many people disagreed with it. In 2017, he talked with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about their worries about vaccine safety. De Niro says he’s not against vaccines, but he’s not sure if they always work.
In October 2018, someone tried to hurt De Niro by sending him a bomb. They found the bomb at a restaurant in Manhattan where he has a business. Other important people like Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton also got similar bombs.
Robert De Niro’s family life has been quite eventful. He first married actress Diahnne Abbott back in 1976, and they had a son named Raphael. He also adopted Diahnne’s daughter, Drena De Niro. However, they split up in 1988. After that, he was in a relationship with model Toukie Smith for about eight years. They had twin boys named Julian and Aaron through a special process called in vitro fertilization, where the babies were carried by a surrogate mother.
Then, in 1997, Robert De Niro married actress Grace Hightower. They had a son named Elliot in 1998 but parted ways in 1999. Interestingly, they never finalized their divorce and even renewed their vows in 2004. They later had a daughter named Helen in 2011 through a surrogate. In 2014, they moved into a big apartment in New York City. However, after being married for 20 years, they decided to separate in 2018. De Niro now has four grandchildren: one from Drena and three from Raphael.
In April 2021, during a virtual court hearing, Robert De Niro’s lawyer mentioned that he’s been working hard to support his ex-wife and pay off his taxes. On the other hand, Hightower’s lawyer argued that De Niro has been cutting down the payments he agreed to make to her since they filed for divorce.
Moving on to more recent events, in April 2023, De Niro became a father for the seventh time. His girlfriend Tiffany Chen gave birth to their daughter Gia. This made headlines because De Niro was already 79 years old, making him one of the oldest fathers on record.
Unfortunately, in July 2023, there was some sad news. De Niro’s grandson, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez passed away at the age of 19 due to a drug overdose involving fentanyl and cocaine.
Legal issues
In 1998, there was a situation where Robert De Niro was questioned by French police about a prostitution ring. He said he had nothing to do with it and even filed a complaint against the police officer for sharing details about the investigation. Later on, he said he wouldn’t go back to France, but he did for the Cannes Film Festival in 2011. Also, in 1999, he threatened to sue a restaurant in Vancouver for using his name without permission, and they changed their name.
In 2006, there was a legal issue about the taxes on De Niro’s estate in Gardiner. His trust thought they were being taxed too much and tried to lower it, but the town disagreed. The town won in court, but then De Niro’s trust appealed. This caused some drama in the town, with people upset about the costs of the legal battle. De Niro eventually decided to drop the case and pay the town’s legal fees because he didn’t want to cause trouble.
In 2019, Robert De Niro’s production company sued an ex-employee for allegedly misusing company money and not working properly. Then the ex-employee sued De Niro back, accusing him of harassment and discrimination. In 2023, the court ruled that De Niro wasn’t personally responsible for discrimination, but his company had to pay damages to the ex-employee.
