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

Robert De Niro Biography

Robert De Niro is one of America's most celebrated actors and a multiple Oscar winner. He rose to fame through his iconic collaborations with Martin Scorsese, whom he considers both a close friend and cinematic mentor.

Childhood and Family

The future star was born on August 17, 1943, into a bohemian New York family. His father, Robert De Niro Sr., born to Italian and Irish parents, was a gifted abstract artist and sculptor. His mother, Virginia Admiral, an American of German, Dutch, and French descent, was also a painter with a passion for poetry.

His parents met at the Hofmann Art School when they were both under twenty. Despite their different temperaments, they shared much in common. Both were exceptional students with promising futures ahead. In 1942, during the height of World War II, they decided to get married.

The young couple's finances were tight. Robert had to work as a museum guard, and Virginia typed texts on a typewriter. Children weren't on their radar until Virginia's sister asked her to babysit her nephew. Virginia fell in love with the idea of having her own child, and Robert De Niro Jr. was born.

The family moved into a cramped apartment without central heating. The apartment became a gathering place for local intellectuals, who adored watching the little boy crawl around their feet. He grew into a lively, curious child who fearlessly explored the world around him.

When Robert was just two, his parents separated, though they didn't officially divorce until 1953. Rumors suggested that De Niro Sr. had fallen in love with another man. After the divorce, his parents barely spoke, but his father never stopped caring about his son's wellbeing and often stepped in during tough times—of which there were many in young Robert's life.

After the split, Virginia struggled to find time to raise her son. She took whatever work she could find: framing paintings in a workshop, trying her hand at clothing design and jewelry, learning shorthand to become a secretary, and eventually working her way up to assistant editor at a magazine that published detective stories by emerging writers.

Most of the time, young Robert was left to fend for himself. During this time, he befriended local street kids, who nicknamed him "Bobby Milk" because of his pale, skinny appearance. But despite being thin and small, Robert always stood his ground, earning respect among the neighborhood kids.

Robert spent a lot of time in his father's workshop, watching as strokes of paint were applied to the canvas. His father instilled in him a love for cinema. The artist was a passionate fan of Greta Garbo and took his son to all her films. De Niro 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 the stage in a children's production of "The Wizard of Oz" as the Cowardly Lion. His acting debut was successful, and Robert gradually developed an interest in acting. At school, he only stood out for his mischievous behavior. In his spare time, he read voraciously - not classical literature, but cheap comics.

After sixth grade, De Niro transferred to a private school known for its progressive views. Students were prepared for prestigious Ivy League universities and were required to do their homework perfectly. Robert struggled, but he pushed himself, redoing assignments for hours. He was inspired by the example of his parents: his father who was passionate about painting and his workaholic mother.

After eighth grade, teachers suggested he consider a more creative school, like the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. He enrolled, but lasted only a few days - he was put off by the "barefoot students strumming guitars." He bounced between several more schools, getting expelled from one for raising his hand to a teacher.

During a heated exchange with his mother, he announced he wanted to travel around the country to figure out his path. When he returned, he knew for certain he wanted to be an actor. He enrolled with the demanding Stella Adler, the only American who had studied acting directly under Stanislavski. A few years later, he audited Lee Strasberg's classes, participating in student productions and impressing both classmates and the master himself.

Robert approached acting with utmost seriousness. Visitors to his mother's apartment noted he'd transformed it into a costume warehouse, filled with every type of wardrobe piece an actor might need. Friends recalled that De Niro wasn't chasing stardom - he was driven to master his craft.

First Roles

In 1963, Robert made his film debut as the groom's friend in the comedy "The Wedding Party." However, the film wasn't released until six years later when the production company went bankrupt and couldn't secure distribution funds. That's why many sources consider De Niro's actual screen debut to be his small part 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 appeared in seven films but remained largely unknown to mainstream audiences. But he was making waves at the prestigious 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 opening night, critics savaged the play but praised De Niro's performance, calling it "completely different and clear, despite his newcomer status."

This caught the attention of director Brian De Palma, who cast Robert in "Greetings" as a controversial character - a voyeur obsessed with filming people's private moments. But his character was one of the central ones. Robert then starred in De Palma's follow-up "Hi, Mom!" which also grabbed attention from both audiences 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, earning him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Robert De Niro in the movie 'The Godfather 2'

The second half of the seventies saw the creative partnership between De Niro and Scorsese truly flourish. De Niro starred in four films directed by the master filmmaker. The first was the famous "Taxi Driver" (1976), a neo-noir film that later acquired cult status. De Niro's character, Travis Bickle, is a Vietnam War veteran and deeply unstable individual who suffers from insomnia, works as a night taxi driver, and becomes obsessed with "cleansing" the world of filth.

Many scenes from the film have been referenced by other directors, including the iconic moment where De Niro's character practices with a gun in front of a mirror. It's been included among the hundred greatest 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" hit theaters 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 developed a nervous disorder and fell into a complete creative crisis. He nearly died from an overdose.

A scene from the movie 'The Deer Hunter'

Robert De Niro regularly visited his hospitalized friend and kept talking about his dream of starring in a boxing film. The director had never wanted to make a sports film, but he listened to his friend and created one of his best films - "Raging Bull" (1980).

For the role, Robert had to gain twenty-seven kilograms and learn to box professionally in the ring. His efforts paid off, and De Niro added another "Oscar" to his collection.

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

Career Peak

The gangster epic "Once Upon a Time in America" hit screens in 1984, cementing Robert as the go-to star of Scorsese's crime thrillers. Directors were ready to keep exploiting his familiar image, but the actor wanted to try his hand at 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 didn't abandon his signature tough-guy roles: his action film resume grew with successful movies like "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 period, the actor's popularity peaked, he became internationally famous and often served as jury chair at prestigious film festivals. In 1987, De Niro first visited the Soviet Union at the invitation of the Moscow Film Festival organizers.

In 1993, "A Bronx Tale" was released - De Niro's directorial debut dedicated to the memory of his father who died of cancer. The story centers on the friendship between a mafia boss and a boy who witnessed his crime but didn't rat him out to the police. While De Niro's film wasn't nominated for major awards, audiences loved it. Notably, the script was based on Chazz Palminteri's own autobiography - he was that same boy.

Robert De Niro in the movie 'A Bronx Tale'

Recent Days

Following the 9/11 attacks in 2001, Robert co-founded the Tribeca Festival to revitalize lower Manhattan and restore the area's economic and cultural vitality.

His second directorial effort was the action thriller "The Score" (2001), starring the legendary Marlon Brando. In 2006, Robert directed the spy thriller "The Good Shepherd," featuring an all-star cast including Angelina Jolie and Matt Damon, though the film failed to connect with audiences.

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

In 2011, the actor received the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award for his outstanding contribution to cinema. De Niro's heartfelt acceptance speech became one of the most memorable moments in Golden Globe history.

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

That same year, audiences saw him in the romantic drama "Manual of Love 3," co-starring the stunning Monica Bellucci. The ensemble comedy "Last Vegas," featuring Robert with Michael Douglas and Morgan Freeman, and the acclaimed drama "Silver Linings Playbook," which earned eight Oscar nominations including Best Actor, deserve special mention.

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

2013 brought "Grudge Match," where Robert stepped into the boxing ring opposite Sylvester Stallone. Audiences were equally impressed by De Niro's incredible physical condition at 70 and Stallone's legendary physique.

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

2015 saw the veteran actor embrace comedy gold in "Dirty Grandpa," where De Niro fearlessly threw himself into an outrageous role.

Entrepreneurial Activity

Robert De Niro's success extends far beyond the silver screen. His sharp business instincts helped him turn those hefty paychecks into lucrative investments in restaurants and hotels. A lifelong foodie with a passion for Japanese cuisine, he co-founded the acclaimed "NOBU" restaurant chain.

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

He's also partnered with Francis Ford Coppola on a restaurant venture. The walls feature artwork by De Niro's father, pieces he handpicked for the space.

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 married 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 split from his wife in 1988 and began dating model Toukie Smith. The couple never made it official, and their attempt to have a child together ended in miscarriage.

Though their romance faded, Toukie later used Robert's sperm with his consent, and through a surrogate mother, welcomed 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. When the romance ended, the enterprising actress sold intimate details of their relationship to journalists for $60,000.

At 47, Robert De Niro began dating 19-year-old model Naomi Campbell, who was reportedly dating Mike Tyson at the time. She left the boxing champion for an actor 28 years her senior, and often called Robert De Niro her first real love, admitting she wanted him to father her children. They dated for less than a year before breaking up when the actor's attention turned to another model, Stephanie Adams.

In 1997, Robert married Grace Hightower, a former model, stewardess, and actress. They actually met back in 1987, even before De Niro's divorce from his first wife. Grace worked at the trendy restaurant Mr. Chow, where the actor stopped by one day to enjoy his favorite Chinese cuisine.

The couple dated for about ten years before Grace decided to make it official, despite Robert's constant infidelities and serious relationships with other women, which he didn't even try to hide. 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 shared child kept the ex-spouses on friendly terms. Grace couldn't resist Robert's charm again, and the couple reconciled in 2004.

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 has autism, which the actor attributes to a vaccination Elliot received as an infant. In 2018, De Niro separated from his wife. Family sources revealed they hadn't been living together for quite some time. In an interview, the actor said he was tired of constant quarrels.

The actor's new partner is Tiffany Chen. She's 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 won, he said America had fallen into temporary insanity. During the Tony Awards ceremony (where he hosted and presented an award to Bruce Springsteen), he said:

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

Robert De Niro Now

Robert De Niro celebrated his 75th birthday on the set of "Joker." The actor appeared as a popular comedian and TV show host who played a pivotal role in Arthur Fleck's story (Joaquin Phoenix), an aspiring comedian with mental health issues.

Robert De Niro played an important role in 'Joker'

In September 2019, Netflix released the 3.5-hour Martin Scorsese drama "The Irishman," with Robert De Niro once again taking 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. Through Frank's story, we see the true face 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 about a young boy's prank war with his grandfather, who becomes an unwelcome houseguest and takes over his room. Around the same time, "The Comeback Trail" premiered, featuring Robert alongside veteran actors Tommy Lee Jones and Morgan Freeman.

In spring 2023, "Killers of the Flower Moon" premiered, starring Martin Scorsese's go-to actors De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio. The director moved away from his usual mafia themes to tell a story about Native American life 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