Robert De Niro
Robert De Niro
Robert Anthony De Niro, born on August 17, 1943, is an esteemed American actor and film producer renowned for his collaborations with director Martin Scorsese. Widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in the history of cinema, De Niro has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his illustrious career.
De Niro honed his craft by studying acting at prestigious institutions such as HB Studio, Stella Adler Conservatory, and Lee Strasberg's Actors Studio. His first notable collaboration with Scorsese was in the 1973 film "Mean Streets," marking the beginning of a fruitful creative partnership.
De Niro's talent and versatility have been recognized with two Academy Awards: one for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Vito Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather Part II" (1974), and another for Best Actor for his role as Jake LaMotta in Scorsese's "Raging Bull" (1980). He has received additional Oscar nominations for his performances in "Taxi Driver" (1976), "The Deer Hunter" (1978), "Awakenings" (1990), "Cape Fear" (1991), "Silver Linings Playbook" (2012), and "Killers of the Flower Moon" (2023).
De Niro's filmography spans a wide range of genres and includes iconic roles in movies such as "Bang the Drum Slowly" (1973), "The King of Comedy" (1982), "Goodfellas" (1990), "Heat" (1995), "Casino" (1995), "Jackie Brown" (1997), "Ronin" (1998), "Joker" (2019), and "The Irishman" (2019). He has also directed and acted in films like "A Bronx Tale" (1993) and "The Good Shepherd" (2006).
In addition to his film work, De Niro has made notable contributions to television, earning acclaim for his portrayal of Bernie Madoff in the HBO film "The Wizard of Lies" (2017) and receiving Emmy Award nominations for his producing efforts on projects like "When They See Us" (2019) and his portrayal of Robert Mueller on "Saturday Night Live."
De Niro is also a successful producer and entrepreneur, having co-founded TriBeCa Productions with Jane Rosenthal in 1989, which has produced numerous films and television shows. Together with Rosenthal, he established the Tribeca Film Festival in 2002, further contributing to the industry's growth and recognition.
Many of De Niro's films are considered cinematic classics, with several being recognized by esteemed institutions like the United States National Film Registry and the American Film Institute. His remarkable body of work continues to inspire and influence audiences and aspiring actors around the world.
Robert Anthony De Niro, born on August 17, 1943, in Manhattan, New York City, is the only child of Virginia Admiral and Robert De Niro Sr., both painters. His father's heritage includes Irish and Italian roots, while his mother had Dutch, English, French, and German ancestry. De Niro's parents separated when he was two years old due to his father's announcement that he was gay. He was raised by his mother in the Greenwich Village and Little Italy neighborhoods, with his father remaining close by.
Nicknamed "Bobby Milk" for his pale complexion, De Niro formed friendships with street kids in Little Italy, despite his father's disapproval. He attended various schools in Manhattan, including PS 41, Elisabeth Irwin High School, High School of Music & Art, Charles Evans Hughes Junior High School, McBurney School, and Rhodes Preparatory School. De Niro found solace in acting, participating in stage productions from a young age. At 16, he dropped out of high school to pursue acting full-time, inspired by the career opportunities he saw on television.
De Niro further honed his craft by studying acting at HB Studio, Lee Strasberg's Actors Studio, and with Stella Adler at the Stella Adler Conservatory. He drew inspiration from acclaimed actors such as Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift, James Dean, Greta Garbo, Geraldine Page, and Kim Stanley.
De Niro's early experiences and training laid the foundation for his illustrious career in film and theater, where he would go on to become one of the most revered and influential actors in the industry.
Robert De Niro's early career saw him take on a variety of roles in both film and theater. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, he appeared in several films that helped establish his reputation as a versatile and talented actor.
In 1965, De Niro had minor roles in films such as "Encounter" and "Three Rooms in Manhattan." He continued to build his resume with appearances in "Les Jeunes Loups" (1968) and "Sam's Song" (1969).
However, it was his role in "Greetings" (1968) that marked a significant moment in his career. This satirical film, directed by Brian De Palma, centered on men avoiding the Vietnam War draft. It was the first of many collaborations between De Niro and De Palma. The following year, De Niro appeared in the drama "Sam's Song" and the comedy "The Wedding Party."
De Niro's versatility as an actor was showcased in various genres, from crime dramas like "Bloody Mama" (1970) to comedies like "Hi, Mom!" (1970). Critics praised his performances for their authenticity and spontaneity.
In 1973, De Niro starred in "Bang the Drum Slowly," portraying a Major League Baseball player with Hodgkin disease. This role earned him critical acclaim and further recognition in the industry. His collaboration with Martin Scorsese began that same year with "Mean Streets," where he delivered a powerful performance as a small-time criminal.
De Niro's dedication to his craft and his ability to bring depth and authenticity to his characters set him apart as one of the most talented actors of his generation. His early work laid the foundation for a legendary career that would span decades and earn him numerous accolades and awards.
References
- Saval, Malina (January 3, 2020). "Martin Scorsese Hails Robert De Niro as 'Greatest Actor of His Generation' at Variety Creative Impact Awards". Variety. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
- a b Baron, Zach (November 20, 2019). "Robert De Niro and Al Pacino: A Big, Beautiful 50-Year Friendship". GQ. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
- a b Pulver, Andrew (November 1, 2019). "Robert De Niro and Al Pacino: 'We're not doing this ever again'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
- a b Wells, Jonathan. "The best actors of all time, from Robert De Niro to Daniel Day Lewis". The Gentleman's Journal. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
- a b Naughton, John (June 30, 2020). "Robert De Niro is the greatest actor of his generation". British GQ. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
- ^ "Robert De Niro nominated for Emmy for 'SNL' role playing Robert Mueller". The Hill. July 16, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
- a b "Complete National Film Registry Listing". Library of Congress. Archived from the original on May 7, 2016. Retrieved May 16, 2020.