Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro is an American actor, producer, and director renowned as one of the greatest and most influential performers in cinematic history. His career, spanning over six decades, is defined by intense, transformative performances in landmark films directed by collaborators like Martin Scorsese, Brian De Palma, and Michael Cimino. De Niro has won two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and the Cecil B. DeMille Award, cementing his status as a preeminent figure in American cinema.

Early life and education

He was born in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan to artists Virginia Admiral and Robert De Niro Sr., who separated when he was two years old. Drawn to performance from a young age, he attended the private Elizabeth Irwin High School before dropping out at 16 to pursue acting. He trained at the Stella Adler Conservatory and later studied under Lee Strasberg at the famed Actors Studio, immersing himself in the Method acting techniques that would define his career.

Career

His early film work included roles in Brian De Palma's *The Wedding Party* (1969) and *Hi, Mom!* (1970). His breakthrough came with his portrayal of a dying baseball player in John Hancock's *Bang the Drum Slowly* (1973), which earned him critical acclaim. His legendary collaboration with Martin Scorsese began with *Mean Streets* (1973), followed by his iconic, Academy Award-winning performance as the young Vito Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola's *The Godfather Part II* (1974). The 1970s and 1980s saw a string of definitive roles in Scorsese's films, including the disturbed Travis Bickle in *Taxi Driver* (1976), boxer Jake LaMotta in *Raging Bull* (1980)—for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor—and gangster Jimmy Conway in *Goodfellas* (1990). He expanded into comedy with notable success in films like *Midnight Run* (1988) and *Meet the Parents* (2000), and later co-founded the Tribeca Productions company and the Tribeca Film Festival in response to the September 11 attacks.

Acting style and legacy

Renowned for his exhaustive preparation and physical transformations, he is a foremost practitioner of Method acting, often immersing himself completely in his characters' lives. His approach has profoundly influenced generations of actors and reshaped standards for dramatic realism in film. Film scholars and critics frequently cite his performances in *Raging Bull*, *Taxi Driver*, and *The Godfather Part II* as among the greatest in the history of American film. His body of work is central to the canon of New Hollywood cinema and its gritty, character-driven narratives.

Personal life

He has been married twice, first to actress Diahnne Abbott and later to Grace Hightower, and has had a long-term relationship with model Toukie Smith. He is the father of seven children, including actor Drena De Niro and realtor Raphael De Niro. A longtime resident of New York City, he is also known for his business ventures, including the Nobu restaurant chain. He has been politically active, notably delivering a powerful speech against then-presidential candidate Donald Trump at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.

Filmography and awards

His extensive filmography includes over 120 films, such as *The Deer Hunter* (1978), *Once Upon a Time in America* (1984), *Heat* (1995), *Casino* (1995), *Analyze This* (1999), and *The Irishman* (2019). His award accolades include two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award for *Silver Linings Playbook* (2012), and the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2003. He has received numerous honors from institutions like the Kennedy Center and has been nominated for prestigious awards including the Primetime Emmy Award and the Screen Actors Guild Award.

Category:American film actors Category:Best Actor Academy Award winners Category:Best Supporting Actor Academy Award winners