De Niro is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished actors of his generation, having delivered a series of highly successful films and garnered numerous awards. In addition to his acting prowess, he has also delved into directing and has portrayed various characters across various genres, including action, thriller, comedy, and even lending his voice to animated films.
In light of De Niro’s remarkable journey spanning eight decades, Study Breaks is reflecting on the past five decades to assess his illustrious career, which firmly established him as one of Hollywood’s all-time greats.
Becoming a Legend in Cinema: How De Niro Conquered Hollywood
Robert De Niro was born into a family of artists who divorced after two years of marriage due to his father’s unconventional behaviour. De Niro displayed a passion for acting from a young age, and at 16, he left school to pursue his chosen profession wholeheartedly. Unlike many actors who neglect to acquire acting skills, De Niro devoted significant time to studying the essence of acting in various educational institutions.
At the age of 23, in 1965, De Niro landed his first film role. His breakthrough came in 1968, starring in Brian De Palma’s low-budget film “Greetings.”; This marked De Palma’s second major project, and De Niro’s pivotal moment of success coincided with the emergence of a new generation of iconic filmmakers known as the New Hollywood.
Throughout the 1970s, De Niro rose to prominence, solidifying his position at the top of Hollywood. His radiant style and on-screen charisma captivated fans. He formed a strong partnership with filmmaker Martin Scorsese, collaborating on gripping crime dramas. De Niro also worked with esteemed directors like Francis Ford Coppola, Sergio Leone, and Quentin Tarantino. Having garnered eight Academy Awards and winning for his roles in Scorsese’s “Raging Bull”; and Coppola’s “Godfather: Part II”; De Niro has become a legendary figure in the film industry.
He continues to leave a lasting impression even after decades in the spotlight. Known for his physical and psychological transformative performances, De Niro has reinvented the art of acting, inspiring the next generation of aspiring actors.
Taxi Driver (1976): Stand the test of time
Following the success of The Godfather: Part II, Robert De Niro’s next role catapulted him into the realm of true movie stardom. In 1976, he embarked on what is now considered one of his most iconic performances, portraying the chilling character of Travis Bickle, a murderous taxi driver, in the gripping drama Taxi Driver.
Sharing the screen with Jodie Foster, De Niro showcased an unparalleled dramatic talent that amazed and terrified audiences. This marked a pivotal moment in his career, as he solidified his position at the pinnacle of Hollywood success. From this point forward, De Niro’s trajectory only pointed upwards.
De Niro & Scorsese: A pair of good fellas
De Niro developed a close relationship with Scorsese following a series of collaborations. This led him to take on the role of middleweight boxer Jake LaMotta in the critically acclaimed film Raging Bull (1980). De Niro gained 60 pounds of muscle to prepare for the role and even trained with LaMotta himself. This challenging role earned De Niro the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Actor in 1981.
After his success in Raging Bull, De Niro went on to portray an aspiring standup comedian in Scorsese’s The King of Comedy (1983) and a Jewish mobster in the sprawling historical epic Once Upon a Time in America (1984), following his role in True Confessions in 1981. Known for his leading roles in gangster and mob films, De Niro once again demonstrated his status as the preferred actor in Hollywood for portraying the brutality of the criminal underworld in a nuanced and multifaceted way.
In 1990, he again pleased audiences with his appearance in another Scorsese collaboration, the highly praised Goodfellas, co-starring Joe Pesci and Ray Liotta. Furthermore, De Niro’s partnership with Scorsese was set to endure in the upcoming years.
According to most critics, Scorsese and De Niro were deemed to have regained their former brilliance. However, their subsequent joint ventures, Cape Fear (1991) and Casino (1995), received a mixed reception. We could even argue that in today’s climate of iGaming and pay by phone bill casinos UK popularity, the admiration for the film Casino has elevated far beyond the recognition it initially received.
Beyond The Camera
In addition to his contributions to the film industry, De Niro is actively involved in philanthropy. His dedication to healthcare led to the establishment of the De Niro Family Precision Medicine Center at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, which focuses on personalized treatments for patients. De Niro’s philanthropic efforts also raise awareness about various social and political issues. He frequently uses his platform to advocate for environmental causes and express his concerns about climate change.
He Isn’t Finished Yet
The Dynamic Duo Returns in 2023: Killers of the Flower Moon De Niro is widely recognized for his collaborations with Scorsese, with Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and Goodfellas being the most well-known among his eleven appearances.
However, in many respects, he represents a leading man from a different era in Scorsese’s films.
Killers of the Flower Moon, the latest project, marks his first co-lead role alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, who has brought a wounded and unappealing form of masculinity to the forefront since Gangs of New York. There is a clear distinction in how Scorsese has utilized De Niro and DiCaprio. De Niro’s films have a more electric and intimate feel, possibly due to Scorsese’s smaller budgets during that period. On the other hand, DiCaprio has exclusively appeared in Scorsese’s large-scale productions, where he takes centre stage.
While both actors have played broad thriller characters, such as De Niro in Cape Fear and DiCaprio in Shutter Island, a comparison in organised crime films like The Departed and Goodfellas reveals a vulnerability and restlessness in DiCaprio that De Niro’s composed and disconcerting mafia characters would never display.
Each actor reflects a different version of Scorsese, one who has grown more confident and skilled behind the camera over the years. We have yet to witness anything as anxious and volatile from DiCaprio as De Niro’s portrayal in Taxi Driver, just as we have never seen De Niro exhibit the same level of confidence and authority as DiCaprio does in The Wolf of Wall Street.
That is, until Killers of the Flower Moon.
Should this film be De Niro’s swan song (we doubt it), it would be a remarkable film where he’d go out on top and the storybook ending to a career in cinema that will be recognized for decades to come.
De Niro is a man who is always on the move. Apart from his acting career, he owns multiple successful restaurants, including the popular Nobu sushi chain. Retirement does not seem to be a concept that he entertains.
Robert De Niro’s impact goes beyond his performances on the silver screen. His commitment to his craft, ability to overcome challenges, and dedication to making a positive difference through philanthropy make him an inspiring figure. His portrayal of diverse characters has shaped the history of cinema and left a lasting impression on the hearts of those who appreciate his artistry.
Our Top 10 Best De Niro Films of All Time:
• The Godfather Part II [1974]
• Taxi Driver [1976]
• Raging Bull [1980]
• Goodfellas [1990]
• A Bronx Tale [1993]
• Heat [1995]
• Casino [1995]
• Jackie Brown [1997]
• Meet The Parents [2000]
• The Irishman [2019]
