Robert De Niro Biography

Known as one of the best actors of our time, the notoriously press-shy De Niro gained world recognition and an Oscar for his portrayal of young Vito Corleone in the mafia epic The Godfather: Part II (1974) and won his second Oscar for his portrayal of prizefighter Jake La Motta in Martin Scorsese's Raging Bull (1980). A Method actor who lets it all out on-screen while remaining fiercely private about his personal life, De Niro's probably more recognized for his serious films of the past rather than the more lighthearted fare but thoroughly enjoyable work he's done in recent years, in films like Midnight Run, Meet the Fockers and Stardust, in which he played a cross-dressing fop of a pirate.


1. He was born to a family of artists: Mother Virginia Admiral was a painter and father Robert was a painter, sculptor and poet.
2. He's legendarily press-shy, and for some time in the 1980s, didn't give interviews.
3. He spent a year training to play aging boxer Jake La Motta in Raging Bull, a role he gained 60 pounds to play, and learned how to play the saxophone for New York, New York.
4. Rumor had it that he had an open marriage with Diahnne Abbott.
5. His last name may be Italian, but he's three-quarters Irish.


"I've never been one of those actors who has touted myself as a fascinating human being. I had to decide early on whether I was to be an actor or a personality."


Wife: Grace Hightower, married June 17, 1997
Wife: Diahnne Abbott, actress, born 1945, married 1976; divorced 1988
Daughter: (with Abbott) Drena, adopted 1976
Son: (with Hightower) Elliot, born 1998
Son: (with Toukie Smith) Julian Henry, born 1995
Son: (with Toukie Smith) Aaron Kendrick, born 1995
Son: (with Abbott) Raphael, born 1976


2001: Golden Globe nomination: Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Comedy/Musical), Meet the Parents

2000: Golden Globe nomination: Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Comedy/Musical), Analyze This

1992: Academy Award nomination: Best Actor, Cape Fear; Golden Globe nomination: Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama), Cape Fear

1991: Academy Award nomination: Best Actor, Awakenings

1989: Golden Globe nomination: Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Comedy/Musical), Midnight Run

1981: Academy Award: Best Actor, Raging Bull; Golden Globe: Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama), Raging Bull

1979: Academy Award nomination: Best Actor, The Deer Hunter; Golden Globe nomination: Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama),
The Deer Hunter

1978: Golden Globe nomination: Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Comedy/Musical), New York, New York

1977: Academy Award nomination: Best Actor, Taxi Driver; Golden Globe nomination: Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama),
Taxi Driver

1975: Academy Award: Best Supporting Actor, The Godfather: Part II



Arthur and the Invisibles - (2007) - Voice
Stardust - (2007) - Actor
The Good Shepherd - (2006) - Director
Hide and Seek - (2005) - Actor
The Bridge of San Luis Rey - (2005) - Actor
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