January 4, 2017 | Josh Mendelssohn

Wiseguy Facts About Robert De Niro, Hollywood Legend


Robert De Niro is thought of as one of the greatest actors of all time. Although he is best known for his tough-guy roles he has actually played leading roles across almost all genres. Here are some of our most interesting facts about acting legend Robert De Niro.


Robert De Niro Facts

1. A Mosaic Indeed

Advertisement

Robert De Niro was born in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City, to artists Virginia (Admiral) and Robert De Niro Sr. His parents met in a painting class, but divorced when De Niro's father revealed he was gay. De Niro was two years old at the time. After, he was raised in his mother's household, though his father lived just a short walk away and they saw each other often.

Robert De Niro -1979Evening Standard, Getty Images

Advertisement

2. The Dream Team

De Niro is no stranger to the Oscars. He won his first, for Best Supporting Actor, playing a young Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II. His collaboration with Martin Scorsese then earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor in 1980, for his portrayal of Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull. He also earned nominations for the psychological thrillers Taxi Driver (1976) and Cape Fear (1991), both directed by Scorsese.

De Niro received additional Academy Award nominations for Michael Cimino's Vietnam war drama The Deer Hunter (1978), Penny Marshall's drama Awakenings (1990), and David O. Russell's romantic comedy-drama Silver Linings Playbook (2012).

Martin Scorsese and actor Robert De Niro - 2014Theo Wargo, Getty Images

Advertisement

3. Don't Ask, Don't Tell

De Niro rarely does interviews and is known as one of the most ultra-private celebrities. He was the subject of a late 90s interview (and cover photo) for Esquire magazine. Most of the article focused on how guarded he is with his personal life, what few details are known about him, and what rumors are speculated, while only a minority of the article dealt with the actual interview itself.

The writer noted that while the interview was ultimately agreed upon, he was given a substantial list of off-limit subjects NOT to ask De Niro about. They included: politics, religion, his family, his reported interest in fine wines, and so on.

Robert De Niro - 2015 Moscow, RussiaDenisShumov, Shutterstock

Advertisement

4. Early and Often

De Niro first discovered his love for acting at age 10 when he portrayed The Cowardly Lion in a local production of The Wizard of Oz. He eventually dropped out of high school to join a gang. He says that his ability to portray a New York gangster is thanks to his childhood experiences.

Portrait of Robert De Niro.S L.a.g.h.a.r.i , Flickr

Advertisement

5. Respect the Don

De Niro was the second actor to win an Oscar for portraying Vito Corleone. Him and Marlon Brando are the only two actors to win an Oscar for playing the same character. At that point, do they get the credit, or does Vito?

Advertisement
Screenshot of Robert De Niro looking at side - from The Godfather Part II (1974)Paramount Pictures, The Godfather Part II (1974)

Advertisement

6. In and Out of Love

De Niro married his second wife, Grace Hightower, in 1997, and she gave birth to their son, Elliot De Niro on March 18, 1998. However, in 1999, De Niro filed for divorce. The fallout continued into 2001 as a potential custody battle over their son, Elliott, heated up. However, the divorce was never finalized and they managed to smooth over their troubles, renewing their vows in 2004. Their second child was born in December 2011.

They have since separated once again, as of 2018.

Robert De Niro factsGrant Lamos IV, Getty Images

Advertisement

7. The Milkman

De Niro's Italian street gang that gave him the nickname "Bobby Milk," in reference to his pale complexion. De Niro was by all accounts only a very modest troublemaker.

Robert De Niro factsJohn Minihan, Getty Images

Advertisement

8. My Blood Type is Ragu

Although he is sometimes referred to as an Italian-American actor, De Niro is actually only one-quarter Italian in ancestry. His father was of half Italian and half Irish descent. His mother was of Dutch, English, Irish, French, and German ancestry on her own father's side, and of German ancestry on her own mother's side. Robert was quite close to his Italian grandfather, whom he visited frequently in Syracuse, NY when he was young.

De Niro has stated that he identifies "more with [his] Italian side." He was inducted into the Italian-American Hall of Fame in 2002.

Robert De Niro in Italy - 2010Franco Origlia, Getty Images

Advertisement

9. Pack 'em On

De Niro formerly held the World Record for Most Weight Gained for a Movie, in gaining over 60 pounds for his role in Raging Bull (1980). But seven years later, Vincent D'Onofrio eclipsed him in gaining 70 pounds for his role in Full Metal Jacket (1987).

Screenshot of Robert De Niro in black shirt talking to a female - Raging Bull (1980)United Artists, Raging Bull (1980)

Factinate

Sign up to our newsletter.

History’s most fascinating stories and darkest secrets, delivered to your inbox daily. Making distraction rewarding since 2017.

Thank you!
Error, please try again.
Advertisement

10. Community Builder

De Niro organized the first Tribeca Film Festival in May 2002. He intended to revitalize the Lower Manhattan area after the September 11 attacks.

Advertisement
Robert De Niro gestures as he answers questions - 2002Keith Bedford, Getty Images

Advertisement

11. Showbiz Ain't for the Faint of Heart

After his stage debut as the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz, De Niro was accepted at New York's prestigious High School of Music and Art, an institution specializing in visual and performing arts. However, feeling overwhelmed and unprepared for the intense and competitive atmosphere, he dropped out to attend public school after only a few days.

Fiorello H LaGuardia High School - 2019Ajay Suresh, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

12. Impossible is Nothing

De Niro and Scorsese's first collaboration was the 1973 film Mean Streets. Since then, his Italian looks and background earned him many roles in violent gangster movies. Indeed, his appearance as the young Vito Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather: Part II (1974) is perhaps one of the most famous, with De Niro winning his first Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting role.

De Niro perfected a Sicilian accent, astonishing his voice coaches in Italy who did not think it would be possible.

Actor Robert DeNiro and director Martin Scorsese announce the creation of the first annual Tribeca Film Festival December 6, 2001Darren McCollester, Getty Images

Advertisement

13. Restaurateur

Acting isn't De Niro's only passion: He also co-owns the Rubicon restaurant in San Francisco, which he founded with Bay area residents Francis Ford Coppola and the late Robin Williams. Much of his father's artwork adorns the walls of the business. He also owns a restaurant in West Hollywood, Ago, and co-owns several restaurants in New York, including Nobu and Layla.

Gary Selesner, actor Robert De Niro, chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Meir Teper and Nobu Hospitality Group CEO Trevor Horwell - 2013Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Advertisement

14. Yes We Can!

Never one to keep quiet about his beliefs, De Niro is a staunch supporter of the US Democratic Party. He lobbied Congress against impeaching President Bill Clinton in 1998. He supported Al Gore in the 2000 Presidential election, John Kerry in the 2004 election, and Barack Obama in the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections.

Bill Clinton speaks with Robert Deniro - 2003Frank Micelotta,Getty Images

Advertisement

15. Lennie Small

During the sparring scene in Raging Bull, De Niro actually broke one of Joe Pesci's ribs. He must not have realized how strong he'd gotten from his training!

Advertisement
Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci accept the Guy Movie Hall of Fame award - 2016Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Advertisement

16. Can't Take Down the Bull

In 2003, De Niro was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He underwent a successful surgery at the New York Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in December 2003. Thankfully, he has reportedly been cancer-free ever since.

Actor Robert Deniro announces the 2003 Tribeca Film Festival during a media conference at City Hall February 20, 2003 in New York City. The festival will run from May 3 - 11.Lawrence Lucier, Getty Images

Advertisement

17. What's your De Niro?

For such a famous dramatic actor, comedies have been particularly lucrative for De Niro. For example, he earned a reported $20 million for Analyze That (2002).  He's also been extremely successful in producing comedies. His producer credits include Meet the Parents (2000) and the sequel, Meet the Fockers (2004), both of which he also starred in.

When many millennials think of De Niro, they often picture Meet the Parents De Niro. They don't even know what they're missing.

Blythe Danner, Robert DeNiro, Ben Stiller,and Teri Polo pose for photographers at the New York Premier of the film 'Meet The Parents'.Keith D. Bedford, Getty Images

Advertisement

18. Just Go With It

“Are you talkin’ to me? ARE YOU TALKIN’ TO ME?”; this line from Taxi Driver (1976) is one of the most memorable of De Niro’s entire career, and he is said to have made it up when he was meticulously researching his role in front of the mirror. De Niro enjoyed improvising and it was not uncommon for him to encourage other members of the cast to do the same.

Harvey Keitel, Michael Phillips, Paul Schrader, Cybill Shepherd, Jodie Foster, Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese attend the "Taxi Driver" 40th anniversary screening during the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival at Beacon Theatre on April 21, 2016 in New York City.Neilson Barnard, Getty Images

Advertisement

19. The Green Ribbon

Many viewers couldn't help but notice a green ribbon on De Niro's lapel at the 1981 Academy Awards. The previous year, a serial killer in Georgia had murdered several African-American children, and the ribbon was meant to memorialize them. As De Niro was walking in that night, a fan in the crowd gave it to him and he put it on immediately. It didn't hurt that De Niro won the Best Actor that yeat, giving the ribbon even more time in the spotlight.

(Original Caption) March 31, 1981 - Hollywood: Actress Sally Fields presents an Oscar to actor Robert De Niro for his role in "Raging Bull," De Niro's Oscar was for Best Performance by an actor in a leading role.Bettmann, Getty Images

Advertisement

20. A Professional

De Niro is known for using method acting techniques for his roles. Especially in his younger days, he would spend tons of time studying their backgrounds in great detail. His assistant on Raging Bull has noted that he never broke character on the shoot, even when the cameras stopped rolling.

Advertisement
Robert De Niro on the set -1984Brenda Chase, Getty Images

Advertisement

21. Fraaaank

De Niro almost played the Jack Nicholson role in The Departed (2006). However, he turned it down so he could direct and co-star in The Good Shepherd with Matt Damon, Joe Pesci, and Angelina Jolie.

Actors Timothy Hutton, Matt Damon, Robert De Niro and Martina Gedeck attend the premiere to promote the movie 'The Good Shepherd' during the 57th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) on February 10, 2007 in Berlin, Germany.Pascal Le Segretain, Getty Images

Advertisement

22. Energizer Bunny

De Niro is nothing if not versatile—just look at his filmography from 2011. That year, he starred in Killer Elite, an action movie, Limitless, a sci-fi thriller, and New Year's Eve, a Garry Marshall romantic comedy.

Jury President Robert De Niro attends the Jury Photocall at the Palais des Festivals during the 64th Cannes Film Festival on May 11, 2011 in Cannes, France.Pascal Le Segretain, Getty Images

Advertisement

23. Can't Slow Down Now

Despite being such an acclaimed actor in the 70s, 80s, and early 90s, by the 2010s, it looked like his best roles were behind him. He hadn't been nominated for an Academy Award since 1992, and he began making more and more frequent appearances in forgettable movies. However, he proved his critics wrong in 2013 with his Oscar-nominated role in David O. Russell's Silver Linings Playbook.

Never doubt De Niro.

Robert De Niro and Grace Hightower - 2013Christopher Polk, Getty Images

Advertisement

24. He Should Have Two

In 2011, De Niro received the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement at the Golden Globes, for his exemplary artistic skills and exceptional talent. He joined the ranks of such stars as Martin Scorcese, Barbra Streisand, and Stephen Spielberg.

Robert De Niro poses in the press room - 2011Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Advertisement

25. Diversification

De Niro is one of the most prolific actors in history. Since his career started in earnest in 1968, only five years have passed without a De Niro movie. That's half a century! He doesn't seem to be slowing down, either. In 2015, at 73 years old, he appeared in five different films!

Advertisement
Robert De Niro speaks onstage during the 72nd Annual Tony Awards - 2018Theo Wargo, Getty Images

Advertisement

26. Too Far?

While filming Scorcese's forgotten classic The King of Comedy, one scene featured Jerry Lewis required the comedian to be furious with De Niro's character. In order to provoke genuine anger, De Niro made several anti-Semitic remarks to Lewis—and it seemed to have done the trick. Lewis once stated: “I forgot the cameras were there…I was going for Bobby’s throat."

Comedian Jerry Lewis, director Martin Scorsese, and actor Robert De Niro attend "The King of Comedy" Closing Night Screening Gala during the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival on April 27, 2013 in New York City.Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images

Advertisement

27. Playing Favorites

Robert De Niro been in a lot of movies, and that means he's worked alongside some truly great actors. So, of all the stars he's played with, who's his favorite? None other than Meryl Streep, with whom he has starred in multiple films, including The Deer Hunter (1978), Marvin’s Room (1996) and Falling in Love (1984). Good choice, Bob!

Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep - 2008Will Ragozzino, Getty Images

Advertisement

28. Feels

Silver Linings Playbook was a special movie for De Niro. Director David O Russell wrote the film based on his own experience, as his son suffers from bipolar disorder. This apparently hit home for De Niro a well: When an interviewer asked him how he related to the film, the famously private De Niro became visibly emotional. While holding back tears, he simply responded, "I don’t like to get emotional, but I know exactly what [Russell] goes through."

Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper and writer/director David O. Russell onstage - 2013Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Advertisement

29. Does this Guy Sleep?

De Niro clearly enjoyed working with Russell. The pair once again teamed up with Silver Linings Playbook star Jennifer Lawrence for the 2015 film Joy, based on the life of Miracle Mop inventor Joy Mangano.

Chris Tucker, David O. Russell, Jennifer Lawrence, Jacki Weaver, Robert DeNiro and Bradley Cooper - 2013Larry Busacca, Getty Images

Advertisement

30. Not You Too, Bob...

In 2016, De Niro revealed that his son, Elliot, has autism. "Grace and I have a child with autism and we believe it is critical that all of the issues surrounding the causes of autism be openly discussed and examined.” Because of this, De Niro has become affiliated with the Anti-Vaxxer movement. That same year, he chose to include the Andrew Wakefield movie Vaxxed in the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival, despite widespread criticism.

Eventually, due to pressure from almost all sides, De Niro did remove the movie from the festival lineup, though he has continued to state his belief that there is a link between vaccines and autism.

Advertisement
Robert De Niro and Grace Hightower - 2018Dimitrios Kambouris, Getty Images

Advertisement

31. Be Fruitful and Multiply

In December 2011, his daughter named Helen Grace was born via surrogate. In addition to his six children, De Niro has four grandchildren, one from his daughter Drena and three from his son Raphael. He also has twin sons conceived by in vitro fertilization and delivered by a surrogate mother in 1995, from a long relationship with former model Toukie Smith.

Robert De Niro, his wife Grace Hightower and his son Raphael DeNiro - 2004Evan Agostini, Getty Images

Advertisement

32. Stones and Bombs

If there are two things you can expect in a De Niro film, they're the Stones and the F-word. "Gimme Shelter" by The Rolling Stones has appeared in at least three of De Niro's films—The Fan, Casino, and Goodfellas—while the F-word is spoken 114 times during Raging Bull, most during improvised scenes. A few years later, Goodfellas smashed Raging Bull's record with 296 f-bombs.

ROBERT DE NIRO AND JOE PESCI IN 'CASINO'. Handout, Getty Images

Advertisement

33. Secretly Saved

De Niro's mother was an atheist and his father was a lapsed Catholic. They did not raise him with religion, and hoped to keep it that way—but his grandparents weren't having any of that. While young Robert was staying with them during his parents' divorce, grandma and grandpa had him secretly baptized against his parents' wishes.

Venice Film Festival Robert De Niro - 1990Gorup de Besanez, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikipedia

Advertisement

34. School or No School

De Niro spent his youth jumping from one prestigious school to another. He attended several well-known public and private Manhattan institutions from elementary to high school, including Elizabeth Irwin High School, the High School of Music and Art, McBurney School, and Rhodes Preparatory School. Despite these fancy academies, education wasn't really De Niro's bag—he dropped out of school completely at age 16 to focus on becoming an actor.

Elisabeth Irwin High Schoolajay_suresh, CC BY 2.0, Wikipedia

Advertisement

35. Delayed Debut

It took six years for De Niro's first acting role to actually hit the theaters. In 1963, he landed a part in Brian De Palma's movie The Wedding Party at just 20 years old, but the film sat on the shelf for several years. It didn't actually see a release until 1969, by which time he had several other credits to his name. In fact, De Niro's rising star was partially why The Wedding Party finally saw the light of day all those years later.

Advertisement
Director, Brian De Palma on the location set - 2000Handout, Getty Images

Advertisement

36. Try, Try Again

Robert De Niro actually auditioned for several roles in The Godfather. He read for Sonny Corleone, Michael Corleone, Carlo Rizzi, and Paulie Gatto, but got turned down each time. It wasn't all for naught, however—Francis Ford Coppola remembered him from these early auditions and cast him as young Vito Corleone in the sequel. Not a bad consolation prize!

Screenshot of Robert De Niro in brown suit - from The Godfather Part II (1974)Paramount Pictures, The Godfather Part II (1974)

Advertisement

37. One of the Greats

One director whom De Niro had a particularly strong effect on was Elia Kazan. After De Niro lost more than 40 pounds for his role in the Kazan movie The Last Tycoon (1976), the director was amazed at De Niro's commitment and effort. Kazan went so far as to say that De Niro was one of the only actors he ever worked with who actually worked hard at the craft.

Director Elia Kazan - 1969Terry Disney, Getty Images

Advertisement

38. I Like Him!

In the early 90s, De Niro went to see an unknown actor by the name of Chazz Palminteri perform a one-man off-Broadway play that he'd written himself. De Niro was so taken with the show that he bought the rights to the story and began producing a film. It became De Niro's critically acclaimed directorial debut, A Bronx Tale, and launched Palminteri's career. Palminteri has since gone on to become an iconic wiseguy actor.

Chazz Palminteri and his wifeDavid Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

39. Giving Back

Throughout his career, De Niro collected a massive trove of memorabilia, from scripts to costumes to props. In 2006, he decided to give back to the film community by donating the entire archive to the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin. A few years later, the whole archive was opened to any member of the public who wished to see it.

University of Texas at Austin - 2009Utexas, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

40. Netflix and Chill

It's hard to find good employees, and De Niro knows that as well as any boss. In 2019, his production company filed a $6 million lawsuit against a former employee. The suit claimed that she had breached her contract, embezzled money and...spent all her time at work watching Netflix. One of the specific claims against her was that she watched 55 episodes of Friends in a span of four days. Hey, we've all binged a few Netflix shows, but at work? Come on...

Advertisement
Robert De Niro in brown jacket is looking at side.Siebbi, Flickr

Advertisement

41. New Yorker Through and Through

Many of De Niro's most iconic characters have been New Yorkers, and that holds true to his real self as well. He was born in the city and has lived there nearly all his life. He currently owns several properties in Manhattan (though his main residence is a massive estate outside the city in Gardiner, NY). His swankiest place just might be his 6,000 square foot, five-bedroom apartment at 15 Central Park West, which he moved into in 2014.

Midtown Manhattan, New York City - 2019Ajay Suresh, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

42. Italian Enough for Me

Though he's only one-quarter Italian, the link between De Niro and Italian American identity is obvious. In 2006, the Italian government actually issued him an Italian passport and made him an Italian citizen—but not everyone was happy about it. A group called the Sons of Italy strongly opposed his citizenship, as they felt that De Niro actually hurt the public image of Italians by making everyone think that they were all criminals.

Robert De Niro with white hair and beard is looking at side.Sam Javanrouh, Flickr

Advertisement

43. He is Missed

De Niro was the last star to see comedian John Belushi alive. On March 5, 1982, he visited the troubled comedian at 3 AM in a hotel, but only for a short time. Tragically, that afternoon, Belushi was found dead from an accidental overdose.

John Belushi Gets A Star On The Hollywood Walk Of FameVince Bucci, Getty Images

Advertisement

44. Probably Won't Be Going Back There

In February 1998, during his film shoot in France, De Niro was taken in for questioning by French police over a prostitution ring, which he denied. Later in an interview, he said, “I will never return to France. I will advise my friends against going to France.” He was publicly named in the investigation but denied any involvement in the prostitution ring, and was so furious at the implication that he told the nation to take back their Legion of Honour, which they awarded him in 1997.

However, time heals all wounds, and De Niro eventually returned to France to film a movie, and was even a judge at the 2o11 Cannes Film Festival.

Robert De Niro and Elizabeth McGovern at the screening of the restored version of "Once upon a time in America" at the Cannes Film Festival - 2012Olivier Strecker, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

45. Serious Commitment

Most people don't truly understand just how far De Niro will go for a role. The most extreme example is probably his performance as Max Cady in Martin Scorsese's 1991 remake of the movie Cape Fear. To sell the part of a psychopathic ex-con, De Niro paid $5,000 for his dentist to make his teeth look worse. He filmed the movie with the beaten-up grill, then returned to his dentist after to pay another $20,000 to fix them!

Advertisement
Robert De Niro wearing black suit is looking at side - 1997John Mathew Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Sources12345678910111213/a>, 1415

Advertisement

More from Factinate

Featured Article

My mom never told me how her best friend died. Years later, I was using her phone when I made an utterly chilling discovery.

Dark Family Secrets

Dark Family Secrets Exposed

Nothing stays hidden forever—and these dark family secrets are proof that when the truth comes out, it can range from devastating to utterly chilling.
April 8, 2020 Samantha Henman

Featured Article

Madame de Pompadour was the alluring chief mistress of King Louis XV, but few people know her dark history—or the chilling secret shared by her and Louis.

Madame de Pompadour Facts

Entrancing Facts About Madame de Pompadour, France's Most Powerful Mistress

Madame de Pompadour was the alluring chief mistress of King Louis XV, but few people know her dark history—or the chilling secret shared by her and Louis.
December 7, 2018 Kyle Climans

More from Factinate

Featured Article

I tried to get my ex-wife served with divorce papers. I knew that she was going to take it badly, but I had no idea about the insane lengths she would go to just to get revenge and mess with my life.

These People Got Genius Revenges

When someone really pushes our buttons, we'd like to think that we'd hold our head high and turn the other cheek, but revenge is so, so sweet.
April 22, 2020 Scott Mazza

Featured Article

Catherine of Aragon is now infamous as King Henry VIII’s rejected queen—but few people know her even darker history.

Catherine of Aragon Facts

Tragic Facts About Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII’s First Wife

Catherine of Aragon is now infamous as King Henry VIII’s rejected queen—but very few people know her even darker history.
June 7, 2018 Christine Tran



Dear reader,


Want to tell us to write facts on a topic? We’re always looking for your input! Please reach out to us to let us know what you’re interested in reading. Your suggestions can be as general or specific as you like, from “Life” to “Compact Cars and Trucks” to “A Subspecies of Capybara Called Hydrochoerus Isthmius.” We’ll get our writers on it because we want to create articles on the topics you’re interested in. Please submit feedback to contribute@factinate.com. Thanks for your time!


Do you question the accuracy of a fact you just read? At Factinate, we’re dedicated to getting things right. Our credibility is the turbo-charged engine of our success. We want our readers to trust us. Our editors are instructed to fact check thoroughly, including finding at least three references for each fact. However, despite our best efforts, we sometimes miss the mark. When we do, we depend on our loyal, helpful readers to point out how we can do better. Please let us know if a fact we’ve published is inaccurate (or even if you just suspect it’s inaccurate) by reaching out to us at contribute@factinate.com. Thanks for your help!


Warmest regards,



The Factinate team




Want to learn something new every day?

Join thousands of others and start your morning with our Fact Of The Day newsletter.

Thank you!

Error, please try again.