Robert De Niro biography, net worth, wife, young, children, height, age 2025

Robert De Niro Biography

Robert De Niro is an outstanding American actor, the winner of several Oscars. He gained fame for his roles in Martin Scorsese's films, whom he considers a good friend and mentor in cinema.

Childhood and Family

The future actor was born on August 17, 1943, into a bohemian New York family. His father, Robert De Niro Sr., the son of an Italian and an Irish woman, was a talented abstract artist and sculptor. His mother, Virginia Admiral, an American with German, Dutch, and French roots, also painted and was passionate about poetry.

The actor's parents met at the Hofmann Art School when they were both under twenty. Despite differences in temperament, they had a lot in common. Both were top students, and they had a promising future. In 1942, during the height of World War II, they decided to get married.

The couple's financial situation was dire. Robert had to work as a museum guard, and Virginia typed texts on a typewriter. They didn't think about children until Virginia's sister asked her to look after her nephew. The woman became enamored with the idea of having her own child, and so Robert De Niro Jr. was born.

The family settled in a tiny apartment without central heating. The local intellectual elite, who adored the small child crawling around their feet, frequented the home. He grew up to be a very lively and curious child, bravely exploring the world around him.

When little Robert was two years old, his parents separated, though their divorce wasn't official until 1953. It was rumored that De Niro Sr. had fallen for another man. After the divorce, the parents hardly communicated, but the father never ceased to be interested in his son's fate and often helped him in difficult life situations, of which there were many in young Robert's life.

After the breakup, the mother didn't have enough time to raise her son. She took on any job: she framed paintings in a frame workshop, tried her hand at clothing design and jewelry, mastered shorthand and became a secretary, later advancing to an assistant editor in a magazine that published detective stories by budding writers.

For most of the time, the boy was left to himself. At that time, he befriended street urchins, who nicknamed him "Bobby Milk" for his paleness and frailty. But despite his thinness and small stature, Robert always stood up for himself, earning respect in the street gang.

Robert spent a lot of time in his father's workshop, watching as strokes of paint were applied to the canvas. It was his father who instilled in him a love for cinema. The artist was a passionate fan of Greta Garbo and took his son to all her films. The actor has often mentioned that Garbo significantly influenced his career.

The boy started first grade at an elementary school in Lower Manhattan. There, he first took to the stage in a children's play "The Wizard of Oz" as the Cowardly Lion. His acting debut was successful, and Robert gradually developed an interest in acting. At school, he didn't stand out except for his mischievous behavior. In his spare time, he read a lot, though not classical literature, but cheap comics.

After sixth grade, De Niro transferred to a private school known for its extremely liberal views. Students were prepared for prestigious Ivy League universities and were required to do their homework perfectly. Robert found it hard, but he tried his best, redoing his work for hours. He was inspired by the example of his parents: his father who was passionate about painting and his workaholic mother.

Still, after eighth grade, teachers advised him to consider a more creative educational institution, such as the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. He did so, but only attended the school for a few days - he was annoyed by the "barefoot students strumming guitars". He later changed several more schools, from one of which he was expelled for raising his hand to a teacher.

During a confrontation with his mother, he announced that he wanted to travel around the country to figure out what he wanted to do. When he returned, he was firmly convinced he wanted to be an actor. He enrolled in classes with the strict Stella Adler, the only American who had taken acting lessons from Stanislavski himself. A few years later, he became an audit student at Lee Strasberg's classes, but took part in the students' productions and made the best impression on both the other students and the master himself.

Robert approached acting with utmost seriousness. People who visited him and his mother noted that he had turned their apartment into a costume room: there were all kinds of wardrobe items that could be useful to an actor. Friends recalled that De Niro didn't dream of being a star, but was eager to be an actor.

First Roles

In 1963, Robert made his first appearance in cinema, playing the role of the groom's friend in the amusing comedy "The Wedding Party". However, the film was only released six years later, as the film company went bankrupt and funds for the film's release were not immediately available. Therefore, many official sources consider De Niro's first role to be an episode played in the French drama "Three Rooms in Manhattan" (1965).

Robert De Niro's first appearance on screen (Three Rooms in Manhattan)

Over the next eight years, the young actor starred in seven films, but he remained relatively unknown to the general public. However, he was well known to the visitors of the theater studio "Stella Adler Studio of Acting". De Niro and Jackie Curtis shone on its stage in the production "The Life and Legend of Nola Numan: Goddess and Star" from 1968. After the first performance, critics trashed the play, except for Robert De Niro's performance, which they called "completely different and clear, despite his newcomer status".

Following this, director Brian De Palma invited Robert to his film "Greetings", where the young actor played a rather controversial role - a man obsessed with filming other people's intimate pleasures. But his character was one of the central ones. Later, Robert starred in De Palma's other film "Hi, Mom!", which was also noticed by viewers and critics.

Meeting with Martin Scorsese

In 1973, two significant events occurred in the actor's life. Firstly, he starred in John Hancock's drama "Bang the Drum Slowly", which earned him his first film award. Secondly, Robert De Niro met Martin Scorsese, who was still an emerging but already promising director.

A scene from the movie 'Bang the Drum Slowly'

Their meeting was facilitated by a mutual friend - director Brian De Palma. It turned out that Robert and Martin grew up in neighboring districts and crossed paths at "Italian dances", as Scorsese put it, but belonged to different youth groups, so they didn't talk much.

Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese: a friendship that has spanned decades

Scorsese invited the young actor for the main role in the thriller "Mean Streets". The action of the film, as conceived by the director, takes place in Little Italy, De Niro's home district, so the actor had no difficulty masterfully immersing himself in the image of his criminal character. This project marked the beginning of Robert and Martin's creative collaboration, with the latter becoming not only his guiding star in the world of cinema but also a faithful good friend.

Robert De Niro in the movie 'Mean Streets'

In 1974, the second part of the iconic trilogy of Francis Ford Coppola "The Godfather" was released, in which De Niro played the role of young Don Corleone.

For the role, De Niro got a real taxi driver's license and worked as a taxi driver for several days

This role brought Robert global success and recognition and was deservedly awarded the main prize of the American Academy - an "Oscar" for Best Actor.

Robert De Niro in the movie 'The Godfather 2'

The second half of the seventies marked the blossoming of the creative tandem of De Niro and Scorsese. The actor starred in four films by the master. The first was the famous "Taxi Driver" (1976), a neo-noir film that later acquired cult status. De Niro's character, Travis Bickle, a Vietnam War veteran and extremely immature individual, suffers from insomnia, works as a night taxi driver, and is obsessed with the idea of "cleansing" the world of filth.

Many scenes from the film have been quoted by other directors, such as the one in which De Niro's character twirls in front of a mirror with a gun in his hand. It's been included in the list of the hundred best film scenes in history.

Taxi Driver - You Talkin to Me?

Both De Niro and his young co-star Jodie Foster (who was 13 at the time of filming) were nominated for an "Oscar", as was "Taxi Driver" itself, but none of the nominations were won.

Foster, De Niro, and Scorsese on the set of 'Taxi Driver'

The film "New York, New York" was released in 1977, followed by "The Deer Hunter" in 1978 about Eastern European immigrants fighting for the US in Vietnam. The same year, Scorsese nearly died. The director had developed a cocaine addiction, consuming more and more of the illegal substance in pursuit of a sense of creative flight. He ended up with a nervous disorder and was in a complete creative crisis. He nearly died from an overdose.

A scene from the movie 'The Deer Hunter'

Robert De Niro regularly visited his friend in the hospital and often spoke about his dream of starring in a film about a boxer. The director never wanted to work on a sports-themed film, but he listened to his friend and made one of his best films - "Raging Bull" (1980).

For the role in it, Robert had to gain twenty-seven kilograms and learn to box professionally in the ring. His efforts were not in vain, and De Niro's creative piggy bank was replenished with another "Oscar".

Robert De Niro at the 'Oscar' Award Ceremony (1981)

Career Peak

The gangster movie "Once Upon a Time in America" was released in 1984, cementing Robert as the main character in Scorsese's crime thrillers. Directors were ready to continue exploiting the familiar image, but the actor felt the desire to try himself in other genres.

Robert De Niro in the movie 'Once Upon a Time in America'

He played a comedic role in Scorsese's next film "The King of Comedy" (1982), joined Meryl Streep in the romantic film "Falling in Love" (1984), appeared in the historical drama "The Mission" (1986), and transformed into a psychiatric patient in the film "Awakenings" (1990).

'Awakenings': De Niro and Robin Williams

At the same time, he did not forget about his main role: the list of action films was supplemented by successful films such as "The Untouchables" (1987), "Goodfellas" (1990), "Cape Fear" (1991), "Casino" (1995), "Heat" (1995), "The Fan" (1996), and "Ronin" (1998).

Robert De Niro in the movie 'The Untouchables'

During this time, the actor's popularity peaked, he became well known beyond the US and often chaired the jury of prestigious film festivals. In 1987, De Niro first visited the Soviet Union at the invitation of the Moscow Film Festival organizers.

In 1993, the film "A Bronx Tale", De Niro's directorial debut dedicated to the memory of his father who died of cancer, was released. The story centers on the friendship between a mafia boss and a boy who witnessed his crime but did not report the criminal to the police. De Niro's film was not nominated for prestigious film awards, but audiences highly appreciated it. It's worth noting that the script was based on the autobiography of Chazz Palminteri, the same boy.

Robert De Niro in the movie 'A Bronx Tale'

Recent Days

In 2001, after the New York terrorist attack, Robert co-founded the Tribeca Festival, aimed at drawing attention to the affected areas of Manhattan and restoring their full economic and cultural life.

The actor's second directorial work was the action movie "The Score" (2001), featuring the legendary Marlon Brando. In 2006, Robert presented the intriguing detective film "The Good Shepherd," which starred a constellation of leading Hollywood actors such as Angelina Jolie and Matt Damon, yet the film didn't attract much public attention.

Robert De Niro and Marlon Brando in the action movie 'The Score'

In 2011, the actor received the "Golden Globe" for his invaluable contribution to the development of world cinema. De Niro's touching acceptance speech was remembered by many and was subsequently recognized as the best public performance in the history of the awards.

Robert De Niro, Matt Damon, and Angelina Jolie on the set of 'The Good Shepherd'

In the same year, audiences enjoyed the melodrama "Manual of Love 3," in which the actor was accompanied by the brilliant Monica Bellucci. The comedy "Last Vegas," starring Robert alongside Michael Douglas and Morgan Freeman, and the melodrama "Silver Linings Playbook," which was nominated for an "Oscar" eight times including for Best Actor, can't be overlooked.

Robert De Niro and Monica Bellucci in the film 'Manual of Love 3'

2013 marked the release of the film "Grudge Match," in which Robert faced off in the boxing ring with none other than Sylvester Stallone. Notably, the audience was impressed by De Niro's physical shape at the age of 70, as much as by Stallone's famous biceps.

Robert De Niro and Sylvester Stallone in the film 'Grudge Match'

A notable event of 2015 was the appearance of the not-so-young actor in the hilarious comedy "Dirty Grandpa," where De Niro wasn't afraid to present himself to the audience in a rather absurd role.

Entrepreneurial Activity

It's worth noting that Robert De Niro has achieved impressive success not only in cinema. A strong entrepreneurial instinct has allowed him to wisely manage his million-dollar salaries, which he lucratively invested in the restaurant and hotel business. The actor has always had a penchant for good food. Therefore, being a great connoisseur of Japanese cuisine, he opened the "NOBU" restaurant chain.

Robert De Niro owns a chain of Japanese restaurants 'NOBU'

De Niro also has a joint restaurant with Francis Ford Coppola. The interior is decorated with paintings by Robert's father, which he personally selected for this establishment.

Robert De Niro Impressed By Tom Hiddleston's Robert De Niro Impression - The Graham Norton Show

Personal Life of Robert De Niro

In 1976, Robert De Niro's first wife was singer and actress Diahnne Abbott. She appeared in several films with her husband and gave birth to their first child, Raphael.

A young Robert De Niro with his first wife and eldest son

De Niro also formally adopted Drena, Abbott's daughter from her first marriage. As adults, Raphael and Drena tried to become actors, but didn't achieve notable success in this field. Raphael became an entrepreneur and runs a joint business with his father.

Left: De Niro and his adopted daughter Drena, right: Raphael De Niro with his wife

After eight years of marriage, the actor parted ways with his wife in 1988 and started a fling with model Toukie Smith. The couple didn't officially register their relationship, and an attempt to have a child together ended in a miscarriage.

Gradually, their feelings faded, but that didn't stop Toukie from using Robert's biological material with his consent, and with the help of a surrogate mother, she brought into the world two babies - Julian Henry and Aaron Kendrick, both of whom De Niro officially adopted.

In the 90s, the actor had a two-year relationship with 25-year-old British adult film star Charmaine Sinclair. The romance ended, and the enterprising actress sold the details of her relationship with De Niro to journalists for $60,000.

At 47, Robert De Niro began dating 19-year-old model Naomi Campbell, who at that time was considered the girlfriend of Mike Tyson. Not only did she leave the best boxer of her time for an actor 28 years her senior, but she often mentioned Robert De Niro as her first real love and admitted she wanted him to be the father of her children. They dated for less than a year and broke up because of the actor's interest in another model, Stephanie Adams.

In 1997, Robert married Grace Hightower, a former model, stewardess, and actress. They met back in 1987, i.e., even before De Niro's divorce from his first wife. Grace worked in a fashionable restaurant, Mr. Chow, where the actor went one beautiful day to savor his favorite Chinese cuisine.

The couple dated for about ten years before Grace, despite Robert's constant infidelities and serious relationships with other women, which he didn't bother to hide, decided to formalize their relationship. In 1998 their son Elliot was born, and a year later, the woman filed for divorce. The reason was the film star's excessive philandering. However, their common child forced the ex-spouses to maintain a friendly relationship. Grace couldn't resist Robert's charisma again, and in 2004 the couple reconciled.

Robert De Niro with his youngest son Elliot

In December 2011, a girl named Helena was born, carried by a surrogate mother due to the couple's advanced age for childbearing.

Robert De Niro's son suffers from autism, which the actor blames on a vaccination given to Elliot in infancy. In 2018, De Niro separated from his wife. Close sources to his family reported that they had not been living together for a long time. In an interview, the actor said he was tired of constant quarrels.

The actor's new chosen one was Tiffany Chen. She is 34 years younger than Robert. In 2023, Tiffany gave birth to a daughter - Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro. This is De Niro's seventh child.

Robert De Niro, Tiffany Chen and their daughter Gia

The actor has publicly expressed his disdain for Donald Trump's politics. Before the election, he promised to punch the billionaire "in the face," and after Trump's victory, he stated that America had fallen into temporary insanity. During the Tony Awards ceremony (the actor was the host and presented the award to Bruce Springsteen), he said the following:

I'll only say one thing - **** Trump

Robert De Niro Now

Robert De Niro celebrated his 75th birthday on the set of the movie "Joker". The actor appeared before the audience as a popular comedian and television show host, who played a fateful role in the fate of Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), an aspiring comedian with mental health issues.

Robert De Niro played an important role in 'Joker'

In September 2019, Netflix launched the 3.5-hour Martin Scorsese drama "The Irishman", where Robert De Niro traditionally played the lead role. The film is based on the real biography of Frank Sheeran, a man who went from being a meat truck driver to the right-hand man of a mafia boss. Subconsciously, Frank tells the true story of gangster America.

In 2020, viewers saw De Niro in the film "The War with Grandpa". Uma Thurman and Christopher Walken also starred in the family comedy, which told the story of a young boy's joking war with his grandfather, who turned out to be an uninvited guest in his parents' house and even took over his room. At the same time, the premiere of "The Comeback Trail" took place, where Robert starred alongside actors from the "old guard" - Tommy Lee Jones and Morgan Freeman.

In the spring of 2023, the premiere of the film "Killers of the Flower Moon" took place, in which the leading roles were played by Martin Scorsese's favorites - De Niro and Leonardo Di Caprio. The director decided to deviate from the mafia theme; the audience will be presented with a story about the life of Native Americans in the early 20th century.

Robert De Niro's Martini Mistake - Killers Of The Flower Moon Cast - The Graham Norton Show

Robert De Niro: latest news and articles

Bryan Sutton

De Niro nowadays is mostly in comedy movies like Dirty Grandpa, The Intern, Malavita

2021-04-11 14:42:13
Devin David Diaz

Dirty Grandpa is a very funny comedy movie :) De Niro is a cool actor who can deal with comedy movies as well.

2021-04-09 15:43:12
Caleb Carlos Diaz

I like that actors like De Niro exist in the world who can put his character in a good level movies with an unusual story.

2021-04-07 08:32:59
Matthew Justin Roberts

De Niro could even play in an action movie and comedy movies and even in drama. This actor is really unique!

2021-03-13 23:53:16
Matthew Brooks

Grandpa De Niro :) So many movies with this actor. I feel really proud of him.

2021-02-09 21:38:17

Photos: Robert De Niro