Portrait · Georges Biard / CC BY-SA 3.0

Robert De Niro

Actor, director and producer

Born 1943

Robert De Niro is an American actor, director and producer born in New York City, whose career reaches from independent films to crime dramas and comedy. Raised in an artistic family, he grew up in Greenwich Village with his mother, painter Virginia Admiral, and has preserved the studio of his father, Robert De Niro Sr. His early acting education included the Dramatic Workshop, Stella Adler and the Actors Studio, grounding a career built on detailed observation and character preparation. Mean Streets began his enduring collaboration with Martin Scorsese, followed by Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, The King of Comedy, Goodfellas and Casino. Playing the young Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II earned him the supporting-actor Academy Award. His portrayal of boxer Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull brought the leading-actor Oscar. His range also includes The Deer Hunter, Midnight Run, Heat, Analyze This, Meet the Parents and Silver Linings Playbook. He moved behind the camera for A Bronx Tale and The Good Shepherd while continuing to act in both films. With Jane Rosenthal, he developed Tribeca Productions and helped establish the Tribeca Festival to renew cultural life in Lower Manhattan after the World Trade Center attacks. He starred as former president George Mullen and executive produced the Netflix limited series Zero Day in 2025. In The Whisper Man, he plays a retired detective drawn into a family crisis and a renewed investigation. Focker-In-Law is scheduled for November 2026, returning him to the Meet the Parents franchise. Cannes honoured his career with an honorary Palme d’Or in May 2025.

Verified identityCore facts checked against named sources.

Keep exploring

Connected people

ConnectionMartin ScorseseCollaborator from Mean Streets through later crime dramas.

ConnectionJane RosenthalCo-founded Tribeca Productions and the festival.

ConnectionLeonardo DiCaprioThis Boy’s Life co-star who presented his SAG career honour.

Official records · wins and honours

Awards & Honours

Selected recognition linked to the awarding organisation or primary record.

2025
Festival de CannesIndustry honor
Honorary Palme d’Or
Robert De Niro
Official record
2020
SAG-AFTRAIndustry honor
Life Achievement Award
Robert De Niro
Official record
2016
White HouseIndustry honor
Presidential Medal of Freedom
Robert De Niro
Official record
2011
Golden GlobesIndustry honor
Cecil B. DeMille Award
Robert De Niro
Official record
2009
Kennedy CenterIndustry honor
Kennedy Center Honors
Robert De Niro
Official record
2003
AFIIndustry honor
Life Achievement Award
Robert De Niro
Official record
1981
AcademyCompetitive win
Actor in a Leading Role
Raging Bull
Official record
1981
Golden GlobesCompetitive win
Actor — Motion Picture Drama
Raging Bull
Official record
1975
AcademyCompetitive win
Actor in a Supporting Role
The Godfather Part II
Official record

Honorary Palme d’Or

Life Achievement Award

Presidential Medal of Freedom

Cecil B. DeMille Award

Kennedy Center Honors

Life Achievement Award

Actor in a Leading Role

Actor — Motion Picture Drama

Actor in a Supporting Role