Childhood and family
The future actor was born on August 17, 1943 into a bohemian New York family.
Father, Robert De Niro Sr., the son of an Italian and an Irish mother, was a talented abstract artist and sculptor. Mother, Virginia Admiral, an American with German, Dutch and French roots, also painted and was fond of poetry. The actor's parents met at the Hoffmann art school when both were not even twenty. Despite their differences in temperament, they had much in common. Both were the best students of the course and had a great future ahead of them. In 1942, at the height of World War II, they decided to get married.
Robert De Niro's parents were artists
The financial situation of the spouses was deplorable. Robert had to work as a watchman at the museum, and Virginia typed texts on a typewriter. They didn’t think about children until their sister asked Virginia to look after her nephew. The girl was fired up by the thought of her own child - this is how Robert De Niro Jr. was born.
The family settled in a tiny apartment without central heating. The entire local intellectual elite entered the house, moved by the baby crawling under their feet. He grew up to be an extremely lively and inquisitive child who bravely explored the world around him.
Robert De Niro as a child
When little Robert was two years old, his parents separated, although their divorce was officially finalized only in 1953. It was rumored that De Niro Sr. was interested in another man. After the divorce, the parents practically did not communicate, but the father did not cease to be interested in the fate of his son and often came to his aid in difficult life situations, and there were many of them in the life of young Robert.
Robert De Niro with his father
After the breakup, the mother did not have enough time to raise her son. She took on any job: she designed paintings in a framing workshop, tried herself in clothing and jewelry design, mastered shorthand and became a secretary, and later rose to the rank of assistant editor in a magazine that published detective stories by aspiring writers.
Robert De Niro with his mother
Most of the time the boy was left to his own devices. At that time, he made friends with street street kids, who nicknamed him “Bobby Milk” for his paleness and frailty. But, despite his thinness and small build, Robert could always stand up for himself, which earned him authority in the street company.
Robert spent a lot of time in his father’s studio, watching strokes of paint being 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 the films with her participation. Subsequently, the actor repeatedly mentioned that Garbo greatly influenced his career.
Robert De Niro Sr. in his art studio
In first grade, the boy went to an elementary school in Lower Manhattan. There he first appeared on stage in the children's play “The Wizard of the Emerald City” in the role of the Cowardly Lion. His acting debut was successful, and Robert gradually developed an interest in acting. At school he did not stand out, except for his hooligan behavior. In my spare time I read a lot, although not classic literature, but cheap comics.
Robert De Niro in his school years
After sixth grade, De Niro was transferred to a private school, which was known for its extremely liberal views. Students were groomed for prestigious Ivy League universities and required to do their homework perfectly. It was hard for Robert, but he tried his best, spending hours redoing the work. Before his eyes stood the example of his parents: a father who was passionate about painting and a workaholic mother.
And yet, after the eighth grade, teachers advised him to pay attention to a more creative educational institution, for example, the Fiorello La Guardia School of Music and Arts. This is what he did, but he studied at school for only a few days - he was annoyed by the “barefoot students strumming guitars.” Subsequently, he changed several more schools, and was even expelled from one for raising his hand against a teacher.
During a showdown with his mother, he stated that he wanted to travel around the country to understand what he wanted to do. He returned already firmly convinced that he wanted to become an actor. He signed up for classes with the strict Stella Adler, the only American who took acting lessons from Stanislavsky himself. A few years later, he became a free listener in Lee Strasberg’s courses, but took part in the students’ productions and made the best impression both on other students and on the master himself.
Robert De Niro in his youth
Robert approached acting with the utmost seriousness. People who visited him and his mother noted that he turned their apartment into a costume room: it seemed like there were any wardrobe items that could be useful to the actor. Friends recalled that De Niro did not dream of becoming a star, but longed to become an actor.
First roles
In 1963, Robert played in a movie for the first time: he was entrusted with the role of the groom’s friend in the funny comedy “The Wedding Party.” Viewers saw the picture only six years later, since the film company went bankrupt and money was not immediately found to release the film, so many official sources consider De Niro’s first work to be an episode played in the French drama “Three Rooms in Manhattan” (1965).
Robert De Niro's first screen appearance (Three Rooms in Manhattan)
Over the next eight years, the young actor starred in seven films, but still remained unknown to the general public. But visitors to the theater studio “Bastiano Podvalchik” knew him well. De Niro and Jacqui Curtis have starred on its stage in the production of The Life and Legend of Nola Numan: The Goddess and the Star since 1968. Moreover, after the first showing, critics crushed the performance to smithereens, making exceptions for Robert De Niro, whose performance was called “completely different and distinct, despite the status of a newcomer.”
Robert De Niro in his youth
After this, director Brian di Palma invited Robert to his film “Cheers,” where the young actor got a very controversial role - a preoccupied man filming other people having intimate pleasures. But his character was one of the central ones. Later, Robert starred in his other film “Hey, Mommy!”, which was also noticed by viewers and critics.
Still from the film "Cheers"
Meet Martin Scorsese
In 1973, two significant events occurred in the actor’s life. First, he played in John Hincock's drama Bang the Drum Slowly, which brought him his first film award. Secondly, Robert de Niro met Martin Scorsese, then still a beginner, but already a promising director.
Still from the film “Bang the Drum Slowly”
The acquaintance took place thanks to a mutual friend - director Brian Di Palma. It turned out that Robert and Martin grew up in neighboring neighborhoods and in their youth met at “Italian dances,” as Scorsese put it, but they belonged to different youth groups, so they did not communicate closely.
Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese: friendship that has passed through decades
Scorsese invited the young actor to play the main role in the action film Mean Streets. According to the director's plan, the film takes place in little Italy, De Niro's hometown, so it was not difficult for the actor to masterfully get used to the image of his criminal character. This work began the creative collaboration between Robert and Martin, who became not only his guiding star in the world of cinema, but also a good, faithful friend.
Robert De Niro in the movie "Mean Streets"
In 1974, the second part of Francis Ford Coppola’s cult trilogy “The Godfather” was released, in which De Niro played the role of Don Corleone in his youth.
For the role, De Niro received a real taxi driver's license and drove for several days.
This work brought Robert worldwide success and recognition and was deservedly awarded the main prize of the American Film Academy - the Oscar for Best Actor.
Robert De Niro in The Godfather Part II
The second half of the seventies was the heyday of the creative tandem of De Niro and Scorsese. The actor starred in four films of the master at once. The first is the famous Taxi Driver (1976), a neo-noir film that later acquired cult status. De Niro's hero, Travis Bickle, a Vietnam War veteran and extremely immature person, suffers from insomnia, works as a night taxi driver and is obsessed with the idea of “cleansing” this world of filth.
Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese
Many scenes from the film were subsequently quoted many times by other directors, for example, the one in which De Niro's character spins in front of a mirror with a gun in his hand. It was included in the list of the hundred best movie scenes in history. Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver De Niro and his young co-star Jodie Foster (she was 13 at the time of filming) were nominated for an Oscar, as was Taxi Driver itself, but neither nomination was won.
Foster, De Niro and Scorsese on the set of Taxi Driver
In 1977, the film “New York-New York” was released, in 1978 – “The Deer Hunter” about Eastern European emigrants fighting for the United States in Vietnam. That same year, Scorsese almost died. The director became addicted to cocaine, in pursuit of the feeling of creative flight, he used more and more and could no longer function without the forbidden powder, suffered a nervous breakdown and found himself in a complete ideological crisis. It all ended with him almost going to the next world due to an overdose.
Still from the film “The Deer Hunter”
Robert De Niro regularly visited his friend in the hospital and talked a lot 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).
Filming of the film "Raging Bull"
For the sake of his role in the latter, 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 treasury was replenished with another Oscar. Robert De Niro at the Oscars (1981)
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He drew very mediocrely, but at the same time he no longer communicated with his old friends from the gang. Robert had no idea what to do with his adult life.
He came up with the idea of becoming an actor, as teachers at school noticed Bobby’s talent for acting. The young man became a visitor to acting courses, which were taught by Stella Adler according to the Stanislavsky system. This woman knew Konstantin Sergeevich personally.
She became an active promoter of his theory. Robert De Niro's first wife Dianne said that her husband uses the Stanislavsky system even when acting in films.
Later, the young man found himself in the acting studio of Lee Strasberg, whose views on teaching coincided with Stella Adler.
Career blossoming
In 1984, the gangster film Once Upon a Time in America was released, which finally turned Robert into the main character of Scorsese’s crime thrillers. The directors were ready to continue to exploit the familiar image, but the actor wanted 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 (1983), accompanied Meryl Streep in the romantic film Lovers (1984), appeared in the historical drama The Mission (1986) and played a psychiatric patient in the film Awakening "(1990).
"Awakening": De Niro and Robin Williams
At the same time, he did not forget about his main role: the list of action films was replenished by the early 2000s with such successful films as “The Untouchables” (1987), “Goodfellas” (1990), “Cape Fear” (1991), “Casino” ( 1995), "Heat" (1995), "Fan" (1996), "Ronin" (1998).
Robert De Niro in the movie "The Untouchables"
At this time, the actor’s popularity reached its maximum; he became well known outside the United States and more than once headed the jury of prestigious film festivals. In 1987, De Niro visited the Soviet Union for the first time at the invitation of the organizers of the Moscow Film Festival.
Robert De Niro in the USSR (pictured: with Oleg Yankovsky)
In 1993, the film “A Bronx Tale” was released, De Niro’s directorial debut, dedicated to the memory of his father who died of cancer. At the center of the story: the friendship of a mafia boss and a boy who witnessed his crime, but did not betray the criminal to the police. De Niro's film was not nominated for prestigious film awards, but viewers praised it highly. It is worth noting that the script is based on the autobiography of Chazz Palminteri, that same boy.
Robert De Niro in the film A Bronx Tale
Personal life
Robert's first wife was African-American singer and actress Dianne Abbott. To this union a boy, Robert, was born.
It is worth noting that the family also raised a girl, Drena, Abbott’s child from her first marriage.
After 10 years of marriage, the couple decided to divorce. Then De Niro's new lover became model Tuki Smith, with whom he lived in a civil marriage.
With the help of a surrogate mother, they had twins - Julian Henry and Aaron Kendrick. A few years later the couple separated.
Robert De Niro and Grace Hightower
In 1997, Robert De Niro entered into an official marriage with former flight attendant Grace Hightower. Later they had a boy, Elliot, and a girl, Helen.
It is worth noting that Elliot suffers from autism, while Helen was born through surrogacy. In 2020, De Niro and Hightower announced their divorce.
In addition to cinema, Robert is a co-owner of several cafes and restaurants, including the world famous Nobu chain.
Our days
In 2001, after the terrorist attack in New York, Robert co-founded the Tribeca festival, designed to bring attention to the affected areas of Manhattan and return them to full economic and cultural life.
New York after 9/11
The actor’s second directorial work was the action movie “Bugbear” (2001) with the participation of the legendary Marlon Brando. And in 2006, Robert presented to the audience the fascinating detective story “False Temptation”, in the filming of which he involved a whole constellation of leading Hollywood actors such as Angelina Jolie and Matt Damon, but the film did not receive much attention from the audience.
Robert De Niro and Marlon Brando in the action movie "Bugbear"
In 2011, the actor was awarded the Golden Globe for his invaluable contribution to the development of world cinema. Many people then remembered the thank-you speech of the touched De Niro, which was later recognized as the best public speech in the entire history of the award.
Robert De Niro, Matt Damon and Angelina Jolie on the set of The False Temptation
In the same year, viewers were pleased with the melodrama “Love: Instructions for Use,” in which the actor was accompanied by the brilliant Monica Bellucci. It is impossible to ignore the comedy “Starboys,” where Robert’s partners were Michael Douglas and Morgan Freeman, and the melodrama “My Psycho Boyfriend,” which was nominated for an Oscar eight times, including for Best Actor.
Robert De Niro and Monica Bellucci in the film "Love: Instructions for Use"
2013 was marked by the release of the film “Slaughter Revenge”, in which Robert met Sylvester Stallone himself in the boxing ring. By the way, according to the audience, the physical form of 70-year-old De Niro impressed them no less than the iron biceps of the famous Sly.
Robert De Niro and Sylvester Stallone in the film "Downhole Revenge"
A highlight of 2020 was the appearance of an already middle-aged actor in the hilarious comedy “Grandfather of Easy Virtue,” in which De Niro was not afraid to appear before the audience in a rather ridiculous image.
Still from the film “Grandfather of Easy Virtue”
Entrepreneurial activity
It is worth noting that De Niro has achieved impressive success not only in cinema. A strong entrepreneurial spirit helped him wisely manage millions in royalties, which he profitably invested in the restaurant and hotel business. The actor always loved to eat well, therefore, being a great connoisseur of Japanese cuisine, he opened the NOBY restaurant chain, two of which are located in Moscow. His Russian partners are large businessmen Araz and Emin Agalarov.
Robert De Niro owns the NOBY Japanese restaurant chain
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 in "Evening Urgant"
Perry Street Penthouse
After the townhouse, Robert before Niro moved to 165 Perry Street, a two-story penthouse known as the Mansion in the Sky. The main feature is the windows that surround the entire perimeter of the building, two floors high. The windows offer stunning views of the Hudson.
The apartment has an area of more than a thousand square meters and is divided into huge rooms: five bedrooms, four separate bathrooms and toilets, an office, a library, a cinema room, a living room with a wood-burning fireplace, a dining room and a kitchen.
Decorated in a minimalist style, in black, white and brown tones, the apartment is reminiscent of housing from the future. The floor in it is made of special durable glass.
The terrace is amazing. Looking at her, you would never think that she is floating high in the air above a big city. The terrace in Robert de Niro's apartment leaves the impression of a green courtyard near a country house.
The actor lived in the penthouse on Perry Street for only a few years. The property is currently on the market for $25.5 million.
You can see the penthouse in detail in the video:
Personal life of Robert De Niro
De Niro's first wife was African-American singer and actress Dianne Abbott in 1976. She starred with her husband in several films and gave birth to his first child, Raphael.
Young Robert De Niro with his first wife and eldest son
The actor also officially adopted Drena, Dianne's daughter from his first marriage. Growing up, Rafael and Drena tried to become actors, but did not achieve significant success in this area. Rafael took up entrepreneurship and runs a joint business with his father.
Left: De Niro and his adopted daughter Drena, right: Raphael De Niro and his wife
After living in his first marriage for eight years, the actor separated from his wife in 1988 and started an affair with model Tuki Smith. The couple did not officially register the relationship, and an attempt to have a child together ended in a miscarriage.
With Tuki Smith
Gradually, the feelings faded away, which did not stop Tuki from using his biomaterial with Robert’s consent and, with the help of a surrogate mother, giving birth to two children - Julian Henry and Aaron Kendrick, whom De Niro officially adopted.
De Niro's children with Tuki Smith
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 journalists details about her relationship with De Niro for $60,000.
Pictured: Charmaine Sinclair
At the age of 47, Robert De Niro began dating 19-year-old model Naomi Campbell, who at that time was considered Mike Tyson's girlfriend. She not only left the best boxer of our time for an actor 28 years older than her, but subsequently more than once mentioned Robert De Niro as her first true love and admitted that she would like to see him as the father of her children. They dated for less than a year and broke up due to the actor's passion for another model, Stephanie Adams.
Robert De Niro and Naomi Campbell dated
In 1997, Robert married Grace Hightower, a former model, flight attendant and actress. They met back in 1987, that is, even before De Niro’s divorce from his first wife. Grace worked at the fashionable restaurant Mr. Chow, where the actor dropped in one day to try his favorite Chinese cuisine.
Robert De Niro and Grace Hightower
The couple dated for about ten years before Grace, despite Robert’s constant infidelities and serious relationships with other women, which he did not think to hide, decided to formalize the relationship.
In 1998, their baby Eliot was born, and a year later the woman filed for divorce. The reason was the same excessive love of the movie star. However, the common child forced the former spouses to maintain friendly relations. Grace again could not resist Robert's charisma, and in 2004 the couple got together.
Robert De Niro with his youngest son Eliot
In December 2011, a girl, Helena, was born by a surrogate mother due to the spouses being already at an advanced age for childbearing.
With baby Helena
Robert De Niro's son suffers from autism, which the actor blames on the vaccination Eliot received as an infant.
In 2020, De Niro separated from his wife. Sources close to his family said that they have not lived together for a long time. The actor himself said in an interview that he was tired of constant quarrels.
Robert De Niro in his youth and now
The actor publicly expressed contempt for Donald Trump's policies. Before the elections, he promised to punch the billionaire “in the face,” and after Trump’s victory he said that America had fallen into temporary madness. And during the presentation of the Tony Theater Award (the actor was the presenter and presented the award to Bruce Springsteen), he stated the following:
Height, weight, age. How old is Robert De Niro
Fans are in a hurry to find out what their idol’s height, weight, and age are. How old is Robert De Niro is easy to find out, since his date of birth is known to everyone.
Robert was born in 1943, making him seventy-four years old. According to the zodiac circle, the actor received the sign of the artistic, creative, stable, arrogant and bright Leo.
The eastern horoscope endowed him with character traits that are characteristic of the Goat, including thriftiness, caring and goodwill, which were clearly expressed in childhood and youth.
Robert De Niro: photos in his youth and now indicate that the man was and remains a real handsome man, although at present he has turned slightly gray and changed his hairstyle, and a network of wrinkles has appeared on his face.
Robert's height is set at one meter and seventy-five centimeters, and his weight does not exceed seventy-five kilograms.
Robert De Niro now
De Niro celebrated his 75th birthday on the set of the film “Joker.” The actor appeared before the audience as a popular comedian and television show host, who played a fatal role in the fate of Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), an aspiring comedian with mental disorders.
Robert De Niro played an important role in Joker
In September 2020, the Netflix platform presented Martin Scorsese's 3.5-hour drama The Irishman, where Robert De Niro traditionally plays the main role. The film is based on the true life of Frank Sheeran, a man who went from being a meat truck driver to being the right hand of a mafia boss. Behind the scenes, Frank tells the true story of gangster America. Al Pacino and De Niro on “The Irishman” “The Irishman” is De Niro and Scorsese’s ninth film together, but not the last. The premiere of the film “Killers of the Moon Flower” is planned for 2021, in which the main roles are hidden by Martin Scorsese’s favorites – De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio. The director decided to move away from the mafia theme; The audience will be presented with a story about the life of American Indians at the beginning of the 20th century.
De Niro and DiCaprio will star in the same film again
Former common-law wife of Robert De Niro - Tuki Smith
Robert De Niro's former common-law wife, Tookie Smith, was a sought-after model of African-American origin. She never demanded that Robert make her his legal wife.
Robert liked Tuki when he met her at one of the parties, so the man invited her to a dance, which developed into a long-term love affair.
He never considered Tuki his legal wife, however, he hastened to recognize his twin sons, who were born after his parents separated.
