Robert De Niro Legendary Actor and Icon of Cinema

Robert De Niro (born August 17, 1943) is an American actor, producer, and director celebrated for his intense performances and method acting. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of all time.

Born in New York City, De Niro rose to prominence in the 1970s through collaborations with director Martin Scorsese, including iconic roles in Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and Goodfellas. He won Academy Awards for The Godfather Part II (Best Supporting Actor) and Raging Bull (Best Actor).

De Niro co-founded the Tribeca Film Festival and has contributed significantly to independent cinema. His performances are known for their depth, psychological complexity, and transformation.

From dramatic masterpieces to comedic roles in films like Meet the Parents, De Niro’s career spans six decades, influencing generations of actors and filmmakers.

Date of Birth: August 17, 1943

Place of Birth: New York City, USA

Nationality: American

Known for: Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, The Godfather Part II, Goodfellas

Craft, Collaborations, and Legacy

De Niro is known for his long-standing collaboration with Martin Scorsese and his dedication to the art of acting. He famously gained 60 pounds to portray Jake LaMotta and learned Sicilian for The Godfather Part II.

Business Ventures and Impact

Beyond acting, he is a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, playing a key role in revitalizing Lower Manhattan post-9/11 through the Tribeca Film Festival.

Enduring Status

Robert De Niro continues to act in major films, balancing mainstream roles with independent projects. His influence on the craft of acting remains profound.

Filmography

Year	Title	Category	Notes
Film
1968	Greetings	Film	Role: Jon Rubin
1970	Bloody Mama	Film	Role: Lloyd Barker
1970	Hi, Mom!	Film	Role: Jon Rubin
1971	Born to Win	Film	Role: Jon “The Creep”
1973	Bang the Drum Slowly	Film	Role: Bruce Pearson
1973	Mean Streets	Film	Role: Johnny Boy Civello
1974	The Godfather Part II	Film	Role: Vito Corleone
1976	The Last Tycoon	Film	Role: Monroe Stahr
1976	Taxi Driver	Film	Role: Travis Bickle
1977	1900	Film	Role: Alfredo “Olmo” Dalcò
1977	New York, New York	Film	Role: Jimmy Doyle
1978	The Deer Hunter	Film	Role: Michael Vronsky
1980	Raging Bull	Film	Role: Jake LaMotta
1981	True Confessions	Film	Role: Tom Spellacy
1983	The King of Comedy	Film	Role: Rupert Pupkin
1984	Once Upon a Time in America	Film	Role: David “Noodles” Aaronson
1984	Falling in Love	Film	Role: Frank Raftis
1985	Brazil	Film	Role: Archibald “Harry” Tuttle
1986	The Mission	Film	Role: Rodrigo Mendoza
1987	The Untouchables	Film	Role: Al Capone
1987	Angel Heart	Film	Role: Louis Cyphre
1988	Midnight Run	Film	Role: Jack Walsh
1989	Jacknife	Film	Role: Joseph “Jacknife” Megessey
1989	We’re No Angels	Film	Role: Ned
1990	Awakenings	Film	Role: Leonard Lowe
1990	Stanley & Iris	Film	Role: Stanley Cox
1991	Mistress	Film	Role: Evan M. Wright
1991	Guilty by Suspicion	Film	Role: David Merrill
1991	Backdraft	Film	Role: Donald “Shadow” Rimgale
1991	Cape Fear	Film	Role: Max Cady
1992	Night and the City	Film	Role: Harry Fabian
1993	This Boy’s Life	Film	Role: Dwight Hansen
1993	Mad Dog and Glory	Film	Role: Wayne Dobie
1993	A Bronx Tale	Film	Role: Lorenzo Anello
1994	Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein	Film	Role: The Creature
1995	Casino	Film	Role: Sam “Ace” Rothstein
1995	Heat	Film	Role: Lt. Vincent Hanna
1996	The Fan	Film	Role: Gil Renard
1996	Sleepers	Film	Role: Lorenzo “Shakes” Carcaterra
1997	Wag the Dog	Film	Role: Conrad Brean
1997	Jackie Brown	Film	Role: Louis Gara
1998	Great Expectations	Film	Role: Arthur Lustig
1998	Ronin	Film	Role: Sam
1999	Analyze This	Film	Role: Paul Vitti
2000	Meet the Parents	Film	Role: Jack Tiberius Byrnes
2001	15 Minutes	Film	Role: Detective Eddie Flemming
2001	The Score	Film	Role: Nick Wells
2002	Analyze That	Film	Role: Paul Vitti
Film (2004–2010)
2004	Meet the Fockers	Film	Role: Jack Byrnes
2005	The Bridge of San Luis Rey	Film	Role: Archbishop
2005	Rent	Film	Role: Beggar Man
2005	Hide and Seek	Film	Role: David Callaway
2006	The Good Shepherd	Film	Role: Gen. Bill Sullivan
2007	Stardust	Film	Role: Captain Shakespeare
2008	Righteous Kill	Film	Role: Detective Tom “Turk” Cowan
2009	Everybody’s Fine	Film	Role: Frank Goode
2010	Machete	Film	Role: Senator John McLaughlin
2010	Little Fockers	Film	Role: Jack Byrnes
Film (2011–2016)
2011	Limitless	Film	Role: Carl Van Loon
2011	Killer Elite	Film	Role: Hunter
2011	New Year’s Eve	Film	Role: Stan Harris
2012	Red Lights	Film	Role: Simon Silver
2012	Being Flynn	Film	Role: Jonathan Flynn
2012	Freelancers	Film	Role: Sarcone
2012	Silver Linings Playbook	Film	Role: Patrizio “Pat” Solitano Sr.
2013	The Big Wedding	Film	Role: Don Griffin
2013	Killing Season	Film	Role: Col. Ben Ford
2013	The Family	Film	Role: Giovanni Manzoni / Fred Blake
2013	Last Vegas	Film	Role: Patrick “Paddy” Connors
2013	American Hustle	Film	Role: Victor Tellegio (uncredited)
2013	Grudge Match	Film	Role: Billy “The Kid” McDonnen
2014	The Bag Man	Film	Role: Dragna
2015	The Intern	Film	Role: Ben Whittaker
2015	The Audition	Film	Role: Himself (short film)
2015	Heist	Film	Role: Frank “The Pope” Silva
2015	Joy	Film	Role: Rudy Mangano
2016	Dirty Grandpa	Film	Role: Lt. Col. Richard “Dick” Kelly
2016	Hands of Stone	Film	Role: Ray Arcel
2016	The Comedian	Film	Role: Jakov Berkowitz / Jackie Burke
Film (2017–2025)
2019	Joker	Film	Role: Murray Franklin
2019	The Irishman	Film	Role: Frank “The Irishman” Sheeran; also producer
2020	The War with Grandpa	Film	Role: Ed Marino
2020	The Comeback Trail	Film	Role: Max Barber
2022	Amsterdam	Film	Role: Gil Dillenbeck
2022	Savage Salvation	Film	Role: Sheriff Mike Church
2023	Killers of the Flower Moon	Film	Role: William King Hale
2023	About My Father	Film	Role: Salvo Maniscalco
2023	Ezra	Film	Role: Stan
2025	The Alto Knights	Film	Roles: Vito Genovese; Frank Costello
2025	Tin Soldier	Film	Role: Ashburn
Television
2001	Sesame Street	Television	Role: Himself
2002–2010	Saturday Night Live	Television	Role: Himself (host); 3 episodes
2006	Extras	Television	Role: Himself
2011	30 Rock	Television	Guest appearance
2017	The Wizard of Lies	Television film	Role: Bernie Madoff; also executive producer
2023	Nada	Television	Role: Vincent Parisi; 5 episodes
2025	Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special	Television special	Role: Himself
2025	Zero Day	Miniseries	Role: George Mullen; also executive producer
Producing Credits (selected, on-screen related)
2019	The Irishman	Producer	Producer credit (also acted)
2017	The Wizard of Lies	Executive producer	Executive producer credit (also acted)
2025	Zero Day	Executive producer	Executive producer credit (also acted)

Awards & Major Honors

Year	Award	Work / Reason	Result
1975	Academy Award (Oscars) – Best Supporting Actor	The Godfather Part II	Won
1981	Academy Award (Oscars) – Best Actor	Raging Bull	Won
2003	AFI Life Achievement Award	Career honor	Awarded
2011	Golden Globe – Cecil B. DeMille Award	Career honor	Awarded
2016	Presidential Medal of Freedom	U.S. civilian honor	Awarded

Legacy & Influence

Widely regarded as one of the defining American screen actors of the post-1970s era, associated with landmark performances in modern crime, psychological drama, and character-driven cinema.
Longstanding creative collaborations with major auteurs (notably Martin Scorsese) helped shape late-20th-century U.S. film culture and acting standards for realism and transformation.
Co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival, contributing to film exhibition, independent cinema visibility, and cultural recovery efforts in Lower Manhattan.