Robert De Niro Biography

Born on August 17th, 1943 in New York City, USA, Robert De Niro was raised by his mother, Virginia Admiral, after his parents divorced when he was just 2 years old. His father, Robert De Niro Sr., was a renowned painter, sculptor, and poet, while his mother was a celebrated painter during the 1950s. To support her family, Virginia held various jobs to provide for young Robert.

Since childhood, Robert had a passion for movies and was fortunate to have his mother work at a dramatic workshop, where he received free children’s acting classes. His talent shone through when he appeared in a stage production of “The Wizard of Oz,” earning him early recognition as a child actor. Although he was accepted as a student at the High School of Music and Art, he later dropped out to work with an Italian gang, which ultimately influenced his acting style, particularly in portraying gangsters.

After leaving school, Robert made the decision to pursue his passion for acting by enrolling in the Stella Adler Acting Studio to hone his skills. He then began auditioning for roles and landed his first film appearance in “Three Rooms in Manhattan” in 1965. His exceptional acting abilities were showcased in films like “Bang the Drum Slowly” and “Mean Streets” (1973).

In 1974, De Niro demonstrated his remarkable talent in the Oscar-winning film “The Godfather: Part II”. He continued to impress with his incredible performance in “Taxi Driver” (1976), solidifying his reputation as one of the greatest actors of all time. His subsequent roles in successful films such as “The Deer Hunter,” “Raging Bull,” “The Untouchables,” and “True Confessions” only further cemented his legacy as a top-tier actor.

During the 1990s, Robert De Niro continued to impress audiences with his outstanding performances in films such as “Goodfellas” and “Awakenings,” the latter of which won an Oscar. He continued to deliver remarkable performances in films like “Heat” (1995), “A Bronx Tale” (1994), and “Analyze This” (1999). His fans also delighted in his roles in other amazing films like “Meet the Parents” (2000), “The Good Shepherd” (2006), “Silver Linings Playbook” (2012), “Last Vegas” (2013), and “The Intern” (2015).

Robert De Niro has been married three times. He shares one son with his first wife, Diahnne Abbott, and two sons with his second wife, Toukie Smith. He has one son with his current and third wife, Grace Hightower.

Profile

Born: August 17, 1943 (age 73), Greenwich Village, New York City, New York, United States
Height: 5′ 10″

Family

Spouse: Grace Hightower (m. 1997), Diahnne Abbott (m. 1976–1988)
Children: Drena De Niro, Raphael De Niro, Aaron Kendrick De Niro, Helen Grace De Niro, Julian Henry De Niro, Elliot De Niro