Robert De Niro is one of the most influential actors in the history of American cinema. His career began in the 1960s and expanded dramatically during the 1970s, when his collaborations with directors such as Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola established him as one of the defining dramatic actors of his generation.
Over more than six decades, De Niro has played an extraordinary variety of characters: gangsters, criminals, boxers, soldiers, detectives, businessmen, fathers, comedians, politicians, law-enforcement officers and ordinary men caught in extraordinary circumstances.
His best-known films include Mean Streets (1973), The Godfather Part II (1974), Taxi Driver (1976), The Deer Hunter (1978), Raging Bull (1980), The King of Comedy (1982), Once Upon a Time in America (1984), Goodfellas (1990), Cape Fear (1991), Casino (1995), Heat (1995), Meet the Parents (2000), Silver Linings Playbook (2012), The Irishman (2019) and Killers of the Flower Moon (2023).
His career has also included comedy, family films, romantic dramas and mainstream Hollywood entertainment, making his filmography considerably broader than his famous crime and gangster roles might suggest.
Robert De Niro at a Glance
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Robert Anthony De Niro |
| Born | August 17, 1943 |
| Birthplace | New York City, New York, USA |
| Profession | Actor, producer, director |
| Active | 1960s–present |
| Film debut | Three Rooms in Manhattan (1965) |
| Breakthrough period | 1970s |
| First Academy Award | The Godfather Part II |
| Second Academy Award | Raging Bull |
| Major director collaboration | Martin Scorsese |
| Major genres | Crime, drama, thriller, comedy, historical drama |
| Directorial debut | A Bronx Tale (1993) |
| Major recent film | Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) |
| 2025 films | The Alto Knights, Tin Soldier |
| 2026 films | The Whisper Man, Focker-in-Law |
De Niro has won two Academy Awards and has accumulated an extensive body of acting and producing work. IMDb currently lists more than 120 acting credits, although the precise total depends on whether television, archival appearances and other formats are included.
The Early Years: 1960s
Robert De Niro was born in New York City on August 17, 1943. He studied acting under influential teachers including Stella Adler and became part of the New York acting scene before making his way into film.
His earliest movie appearances were relatively small, but they established the foundation for one of the longest careers in American cinema.
Three Rooms in Manhattan (1965)
De Niro’s earliest credited film appearance came in Three Rooms in Manhattan, directed by Marcel Carné.
He had a very small, uncredited part as a customer at a diner.
Although the role was minor, it represents the beginning of his film career.
Greetings (1968)
Directed by Brian De Palma, Greetings was an independent comedy featuring De Niro as Jon Rubin.
The film was part of the counterculture cinema of the late 1960s.
De Niro’s collaboration with De Palma continued into the following decade.
The Wedding Party (1969)
In The Wedding Party, De Niro played Cecil, appearing alongside Charles Pfluger and Jill Clayburgh.
The film was directed by Brian De Palma, with Cynthia Munroe and Wilford Leach also credited as directors.
Sam’s Song (1969)
De Niro played Sam Nicoletti in Sam’s Song, another early independent film.
These early productions were far removed from the major Hollywood films that would later define his career.
1970–1973: Building a Reputation
The beginning of the 1970s marked an important transition.
De Niro began receiving larger roles and working with filmmakers who were interested in unconventional characters.
Bloody Mama (1970)
Directed by Roger Corman, Bloody Mama was a crime film inspired by the story of the Barker family.
De Niro played Lloyd Barker.
Hi, Mom! (1970)
De Niro reunited with Brian De Palma in Hi, Mom!, again playing Jon Rubin.
The satirical film explored American culture and politics through an intentionally provocative style.
Born to Win (1971)
In Born to Win, De Niro played Danny, a drug-addicted hairdresser caught in a difficult New York environment.
The film gave him a more substantial dramatic role.
The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight (1971)
De Niro played Mario Trantino in this crime comedy.
It was an early indication of his ability to work within gangster and crime stories while also incorporating humor.
Bang the Drum Slowly (1973)
Bang the Drum Slowly was an important early breakthrough.
De Niro played Bruce Pearson, a professional baseball player who is diagnosed with a terminal illness.
The emotional performance helped establish him as a serious dramatic actor.
Mean Streets (1973)
Mean Streets was the beginning of one of the most important director-actor partnerships in modern cinema.
Directed by Martin Scorsese, the film starred De Niro as John “Johnny Boy” Civello.
Johnny Boy is reckless, unpredictable and deeply immersed in the criminal world of New York’s Little Italy.
The film established the foundation for the extraordinary De Niro–Scorsese collaboration that would continue for decades.
1974–1979: The Rise of a Hollywood Legend
The second half of the 1970s transformed De Niro’s career.
The Godfather Part II (1974)
Francis Ford Coppola cast De Niro as Vito Corleone, the younger version of the character previously portrayed by Marlon Brando.
De Niro’s performance required him to speak largely in Sicilian and Italian while portraying Vito’s transformation from a young immigrant into a powerful crime figure.
The performance earned De Niro his first Academy Award.
He won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
The Godfather Part II became one of the landmark films of American cinema.
Taxi Driver (1976)
Taxi Driver reunited De Niro with Martin Scorsese.
He played Travis Bickle, an isolated New York taxi driver whose psychological deterioration leads him toward increasingly violent behavior.
The character became one of the most recognizable figures in American film history.
The film also featured Jodie Foster, Harvey Keitel, Cybill Shepherd and Albert Brooks.
De Niro’s preparation for the role became part of Hollywood legend, and his performance remains one of the central achievements of his career.
1900 (1976)
Bernardo Bertolucci’s epic 1900 featured De Niro as Alfredo Berlinghieri.
The film follows two men born on the same estate in Italy and traces their lives against the backdrop of political and social change.
De Niro shared the screen with Gérard Depardieu.
The Last Tycoon (1976)
Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s unfinished novel, The Last Tycoon was directed by Elia Kazan.
De Niro played Hollywood producer Monroe Stahr.
The film also featured Robert Mitchum, Tony Curtis, Jeanne Moreau and Jack Nicholson.
New York, New York (1977)
De Niro returned to work with Scorsese in New York, New York.
He played saxophonist Jimmy Doyle, opposite Liza Minnelli.
The film combines musical performance, romance and drama and presented De Niro in a very different type of role.
The Deer Hunter (1978)
Michael Cimino’s The Deer Hunter became one of De Niro’s most important dramatic films.
He played Michael Vronsky, a steelworker and Vietnam War veteran whose life is transformed by the war.
The film examines friendship, trauma, loyalty and the effects of war on individuals and communities.
It won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
De Niro received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
Raging Bull (1980)
Raging Bull is one of the defining films of De Niro’s career.
Directed by Martin Scorsese, the film tells the story of boxer Jake LaMotta.
De Niro underwent a dramatic physical transformation for the role, portraying LaMotta at different stages of his life.
His performance earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor.
The film is frequently cited among the most important American films of the 20th century.
1980s: A Golden Period
The 1980s brought an extraordinary series of films, including Raging Bull, The King of Comedy, Once Upon a Time in America, Brazil, The Mission and Midnight Run.
True Confessions (1981)
De Niro starred with Robert Duvall in True Confessions.
He played Catholic priest Father Des Spellacy, while Duvall portrayed his brother.
The film combines crime investigation with religious and family drama.
The King of Comedy (1982)
Scorsese and De Niro reunited for The King of Comedy.
De Niro played Rupert Pupkin, an obsessive aspiring comedian who believes he deserves television stardom.
The film is an uncomfortable satire of celebrity culture, ambition and obsession.
Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
Sergio Leone directed De Niro in the epic gangster drama Once Upon a Time in America.
De Niro played David “Noodles” Aaronson, a Jewish-American gangster whose life stretches across several decades.
The film became one of Leone’s final major works.
Falling in Love (1984)
De Niro moved into romantic drama with Falling in Love, starring opposite Meryl Streep.
He played Frank Raftis, a married architect who develops a relationship with another married woman.
Brazil (1985)
Terry Gilliam’s surreal science-fiction satire Brazil featured De Niro as Harry Tuttle, a rebellious heating engineer.
Although his role was relatively small, it became one of his most memorable supporting performances.
The Mission (1986)
In Roland Joffé’s historical drama The Mission, De Niro played Rodrigo Mendoza.
The film is set in 18th-century South America and examines colonialism, religion and political conflict.
Angel Heart (1987)
De Niro took on a mysterious supernatural role in Angel Heart.
He played Louis Cyphre, a sinister figure who hires private detective Harry Angel, played by Mickey Rourke.
The film combines film noir, horror and psychological mystery.
The Untouchables (1987)
Brian De Palma’s The Untouchables featured De Niro as notorious Chicago gangster Al Capone.
The film starred Kevin Costner, Sean Connery and Andy Garcia.
De Niro’s Capone became one of the most famous portrayals of the gangster in American cinema.
Midnight Run (1988)
De Niro demonstrated his considerable comedic ability in Midnight Run.
He played bounty hunter Jack Walsh, who must transport an accountant across the country while being pursued by criminals and law enforcement.
The film paired De Niro with Charles Grodin and became an important comedy in his filmography.
1990s: Crime Classics and Mainstream Success
The 1990s combined some of De Niro’s most acclaimed crime films with increasingly diverse mainstream roles.
Goodfellas (1990)
De Niro returned to Scorsese for Goodfellas.
He played James “Jimmy the Gent” Conway, a gangster whose criminal career becomes increasingly dangerous.
The film also starred Ray Liotta and Joe Pesci.
Goodfellas became one of the most celebrated gangster films ever made.
Awakenings (1990)
De Niro received an Academy Award nomination for Awakenings, playing Leonard Lowe.
Based on Oliver Sacks’s work, the film follows patients who experience a dramatic response to an experimental medical treatment.
Robin Williams played Dr. Malcolm Sayer.
Cape Fear (1991)
Scorsese and De Niro collaborated again on Cape Fear.
De Niro played Max Cady, a convicted criminal seeking revenge against the lawyer he believes betrayed him.
The role earned De Niro another Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
Night and the City (1992)
De Niro starred as lawyer and hustler Harry Fabian in this crime drama directed by Irwin Winkler.
The film was inspired by the 1950 film of the same name.
This Boy’s Life (1993)
De Niro played Dwight Hansen in This Boy’s Life, opposite Leonardo DiCaprio and Ellen Barkin.
The film became notable for featuring one of DiCaprio’s early major performances.
A Bronx Tale (1993)
De Niro made his feature directorial debut with A Bronx Tale.
He also starred in the film as Lorenzo Anello.
The story follows a young boy growing up in the Bronx while being influenced by his working-class father and a local gangster.
The film became an important part of De Niro’s relationship with New York stories.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994)
De Niro played the Creature in Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s novel.
The role allowed him to move into gothic horror and literary fantasy.
Casino (1995)
De Niro reunited with Scorsese for Casino.
He played Sam “Ace” Rothstein, a casino executive whose career becomes intertwined with organized crime.
The film co-starred Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci.
It is one of the central crime films of De Niro’s career.
Heat (1995)
Michael Mann’s Heat brought De Niro together with Al Pacino for the first major on-screen confrontation between the two actors.
De Niro played professional thief Neil McCauley, while Pacino played LAPD detective Vincent Hanna.
The film became renowned for its crime narrative, Los Angeles setting and central relationship between the two characters.
Sleepers (1996)
In Sleepers, De Niro played Father Bobby, a priest who becomes connected to a group of men dealing with the consequences of traumatic experiences from their youth.
The film featured Brad Pitt, Jason Patric, Kevin Bacon and Dustin Hoffman.
Cop Land (1997)
De Niro played internal-affairs officer Moe Tilden in Cop Land.
The film starred Sylvester Stallone, Harvey Keitel and Ray Liotta.
Ronin (1998)
De Niro played former intelligence operative Sam in John Frankenheimer’s action thriller Ronin.
The film became particularly famous for its elaborate automobile chase sequences.
Analyze This (1999)
De Niro entered another phase of his career with Analyze This.
He played mob boss Paul Vitti, who seeks help from psychiatrist Ben Sobel, played by Billy Crystal.
The film parodied some of the gangster characteristics associated with De Niro’s earlier work.
2000s: Comedy, Crime and Commercial Cinema
The 2000s demonstrated that De Niro could comfortably move between serious drama and mainstream comedy.
Meet the Parents (2000)
De Niro played Jack Byrnes, the intimidating father of Teri Polo’s character and future father-in-law of Ben Stiller’s Greg Focker.
The movie became a major comedy success.
It also began one of De Niro’s most commercially recognizable comedy roles.
The Score (2001)
De Niro starred opposite Edward Norton and Marlon Brando in The Score.
He played veteran thief Nick Wells.
The film became notable for bringing De Niro and Brando together.
Meet the Fockers (2004)
De Niro returned as Jack Byrnes in the sequel to Meet the Parents.
The comedy expanded the conflict between the Byrnes and Focker families.
Hide and Seek (2005)
De Niro entered psychological horror with Hide and Seek, playing psychologist David Callaway.
The film co-starred Dakota Fanning.
The Good Shepherd (2006)
De Niro directed and starred in The Good Shepherd.
He played General Bill Sullivan while Matt Damon portrayed Edward Wilson, a fictional CIA officer.
The film examines the development of American intelligence operations during the 20th century.
Stardust (2007)
De Niro played Captain Shakespeare in the fantasy adventure Stardust.
The role provided another opportunity for him to combine comedy and drama.
Righteous Kill (2008)
De Niro reunited with Al Pacino in Righteous Kill.
The two actors played New York detectives investigating a series of murders.
Everybody’s Fine (2009)
De Niro played widower Frank Goode in Everybody’s Fine.
The film is a family drama centered on a father attempting to reconnect with his adult children.
2010s: Comedy, Drama and a Return to Prestige Cinema
The 2010s saw De Niro working in a wide range of genres.
Little Fockers (2010)
De Niro returned as Jack Byrnes for the third film in the Meet the Parents series.
Limitless (2011)
In Limitless, De Niro played businessman Carl Van Loon, opposite Bradley Cooper.
The film follows a struggling writer who gains access to a mysterious substance that dramatically alters his abilities.
Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
David O. Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook brought De Niro back into serious awards-oriented cinema.
He played Pat Solitano Sr., the father of Bradley Cooper’s character.
The performance earned De Niro an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
The Big Wedding (2013)
De Niro played Don Griffin in this ensemble romantic comedy.
The cast included Diane Keaton, Susan Sarandon, Robin Williams, Katherine Heigl and Amanda Seyfried.
Last Vegas (2013)
De Niro starred alongside Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline in Last Vegas.
The film follows four longtime friends celebrating a bachelor party in Las Vegas.
American Hustle (2013)
De Niro made a brief but memorable appearance in American Hustle, directed by David O. Russell.
He played Victor Tellegio.
The Intern (2015)
De Niro starred opposite Anne Hathaway in The Intern.
He played Ben Whittaker, a retired executive who becomes an intern at a rapidly growing fashion company.
The role emphasized his ability to portray warmth and understated comedy.
Joy (2015)
De Niro reunited with Jennifer Lawrence in Joy, directed by David O. Russell.
He played Rudy Mangano, Joy’s father.
Hands of Stone (2016)
De Niro played legendary boxing trainer Ray Arcel in Hands of Stone.
The film follows Panamanian boxer Roberto Durán, played by Édgar Ramírez.
Dirty Grandpa (2016)
De Niro took his comedy career in an intentionally outrageous direction with Dirty Grandpa.
He played Dick Kelly, a recently widowed grandfather who convinces his grandson to take him on a trip.
The Comedian (2016)
De Niro played aging comedian Jackie Burke in The Comedian.
The film explored the frustrations and ambitions of a veteran stand-up performer.
The Wizard of Lies (2017)
HBO’s The Wizard of Lies featured De Niro as financier Bernie Madoff.
The performance earned significant critical attention and awards recognition.
2019: The Irishman and Joker
The year 2019 was especially significant in De Niro’s later career.
Joker (2019)
De Niro played television host Murray Franklin in Todd Phillips’s Joker.
The role deliberately echoed some of the themes of The King of Comedy, particularly television celebrity, obsession and the desire for public recognition.
The Irishman (2019)
De Niro reunited with Martin Scorsese for The Irishman.
He played Frank Sheeran, a truck driver and labor-union figure who becomes involved with organized crime.
The film also starred Al Pacino and Joe Pesci.
The production used extensive digital de-aging technology to portray the characters at different ages.
De Niro also received a producer credit on the film.
2020–2022: Continuing to Work Across Genres
The War with Grandpa (2020)
De Niro starred in the family comedy The War with Grandpa, playing Ed, a grandfather who moves into his grandson’s room.
The Comeback Trail (2020)
In The Comeback Trail, De Niro played film producer Max Barber.
The film also starred Morgan Freeman and Tommy Lee Jones.
Amsterdam (2022)
David O. Russell’s Amsterdam featured De Niro as General Gil Dillenbeck.
The ensemble cast included Christian Bale, Margot Robbie and John David Washington.
Savage Salvation (2022)
De Niro played Sheriff Church in this crime thriller.
2023: A Major Late-Career Performance
Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
Martin Scorsese and De Niro reunited once again for Killers of the Flower Moon.
De Niro played William King Hale, a wealthy and influential rancher in 1920s Oklahoma.
The film also starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Lily Gladstone.
The historical crime drama examines the murders of members of the Osage Nation after oil wealth transformed the region.
The film became one of the major late-career collaborations between Scorsese and De Niro.
About My Father (2023)
De Niro moved back into comedy with About My Father.
He played Salvo, the father of comedian Sebastian Maniscalco.
Ezra (2023)
In Ezra, De Niro played Stan, the grandfather of an autistic child.
The film was also one of his recent producer credits.
2025: The Alto Knights and Tin Soldier
The Alto Knights (2025)
De Niro took on the unusual challenge of portraying two different organized-crime figures in The Alto Knights.
He plays Frank Costello and Vito Genovese.
Directed by Barry Levinson and written by Nicholas Pileggi, the film explores the rivalry between the two New York crime figures.
The dual-role performance represents another connection between De Niro and the gangster genre that has been central to his career.
Tin Soldier (2025)
De Niro also appeared in Tin Soldier, playing Emmanuel Ashburn.
The film features Jamie Foxx and Scott Eastwood.
2026: The Whisper Man and Focker-in-Law
The Whisper Man (2026)
De Niro appears in the 2026 thriller The Whisper Man, playing Pete Willis.
The film is based on Alex North’s novel and features Adam Scott and Michelle Monaghan.
Current film databases list the movie as a 2026 release.
Focker-in-Law (2026)
De Niro returns to one of his most recognizable comedy characters in Focker-in-Law, reprising Jack Byrnes.
The movie continues the Meet the Parents series, bringing back De Niro, Ben Stiller, Teri Polo, Blythe Danner and Owen Wilson.
The film is listed as completed for 2026.
Complete Robert De Niro Feature Filmography
The following chronology focuses on his principal feature-film acting roles rather than television appearances, archival footage and documentary appearances.
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Three Rooms in Manhattan | Client at the Diner |
| 1968 | Greetings | Jon Rubin |
| 1969 | The Wedding Party | Cecil |
| 1969 | Sam’s Song | Sam Nicoletti |
| 1970 | Bloody Mama | Lloyd Barker |
| 1970 | Hi, Mom! | Jon Rubin |
| 1971 | Born to Win | Danny |
| 1971 | The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight | Mario Trantino |
| 1973 | Bang the Drum Slowly | Bruce Pearson |
| 1973 | Mean Streets | Johnny Boy |
| 1974 | The Godfather Part II | Vito Corleone |
| 1976 | Taxi Driver | Travis Bickle |
| 1976 | 1900 | Alfredo Berlinghieri |
| 1976 | The Last Tycoon | Monroe Stahr |
| 1977 | New York, New York | Jimmy Doyle |
| 1978 | The Deer Hunter | Michael Vronsky |
| 1980 | Raging Bull | Jake LaMotta |
| 1981 | True Confessions | Father Des Spellacy |
| 1982 | The King of Comedy | Rupert Pupkin |
| 1984 | Once Upon a Time in America | Noodles |
| 1984 | Falling in Love | Frank Raftis |
| 1985 | Brazil | Harry Tuttle |
| 1986 | The Mission | Rodrigo Mendoza |
| 1987 | Angel Heart | Louis Cyphre |
| 1987 | The Untouchables | Al Capone |
| 1988 | Midnight Run | Jack Walsh |
| 1989 | We’re No Angels | Ned |
| 1990 | Goodfellas | Jimmy Conway |
| 1990 | Awakenings | Leonard Lowe |
| 1991 | Guilty by Suspicion | David Merrill |
| 1991 | Cape Fear | Max Cady |
| 1992 | Night and the City | Harry Fabian |
| 1993 | Mad Dog Time | Vic |
| 1993 | This Boy’s Life | Dwight Hansen |
| 1993 | A Bronx Tale | Lorenzo Anello |
| 1994 | Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein | The Creature |
| 1995 | Casino | Sam “Ace” Rothstein |
| 1995 | Heat | Neil McCauley |
| 1996 | Sleepers | Father Bobby |
| 1997 | Cop Land | Moe Tilden |
| 1998 | Ronin | Sam |
| 1998 | Analyze This | Paul Vitti |
| 1999 | Analyze This / related later credits | — |
| 2000 | Meet the Parents | Jack Byrnes |
| 2001 | The Score | Nick Wells |
| 2002 | City by the Sea | Vincent LaMarca |
| 2002 | Analyze That | Paul Vitti |
| 2004 | Meet the Fockers | Jack Byrnes |
| 2004 | Shark Tale | Don Lino |
| 2005 | Hide and Seek | David Callaway |
| 2006 | The Good Shepherd | General Bill Sullivan |
| 2007 | Stardust | Captain Shakespeare |
| 2008 | Righteous Kill | Turk |
| 2009 | Everybody’s Fine | Frank Goode |
| 2010 | Little Fockers | Jack Byrnes |
| 2011 | Limitless | Carl Van Loon |
| 2011 | Killer Elite | Hunter |
| 2011 | New Year’s Eve | Stan Harris |
| 2012 | Being Flynn | Jonathan Flynn |
| 2012 | Silver Linings Playbook | Pat Solitano Sr. |
| 2013 | The Big Wedding | Don Griffin |
| 2013 | Killing Season | Benjamin Ford |
| 2013 | The Family | Giovanni Manzoni |
| 2013 | Last Vegas | Paddy |
| 2013 | American Hustle | Victor Tellegio |
| 2014 | The Bag Man | Dragna |
| 2015 | Heist | The Pope |
| 2015 | The Intern | Ben Whittaker |
| 2015 | Joy | Rudy Mangano |
| 2016 | Dirty Grandpa | Dick Kelly |
| 2016 | Hands of Stone | Ray Arcel |
| 2016 | The Comedian | Jackie Burke |
| 2017 | The Wizard of Lies | Bernie Madoff |
| 2019 | Joker | Murray Franklin |
| 2019 | The Irishman | Frank Sheeran |
| 2020 | The War with Grandpa | Ed |
| 2020 | The Comeback Trail | Max Barber |
| 2022 | Amsterdam | General Gil Dillenbeck |
| 2022 | Savage Salvation | Sheriff Church |
| 2023 | Killers of the Flower Moon | William Hale |
| 2023 | About My Father | Salvo |
| 2023 | Ezra | Stan |
| 2025 | The Alto Knights | Frank Costello / Vito Genovese |
| 2025 | Tin Soldier | Emmanuel Ashburn |
| 2026 | The Whisper Man | Pete Willis |
| 2026 | Focker-in-Law | Jack Byrnes |
Early filmography records confirm the progression from Three Rooms in Manhattan through Mean Streets, The Godfather Part II, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull and the subsequent decades of work.
Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese
The relationship between Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese is one of the most important actor-director partnerships in cinema.
Their major collaborations include:
- Mean Streets — 1973
- Taxi Driver — 1976
- New York, New York — 1977
- Raging Bull — 1980
- The King of Comedy — 1982
- Goodfellas — 1990
- Cape Fear — 1991
- Casino — 1995
- The Irishman — 2019
- Killers of the Flower Moon — 2023
Their collaboration has covered crime, psychological drama, musical drama, comedy, historical drama and epic storytelling.
Robert De Niro and Al Pacino
De Niro and Al Pacino are two of the most recognizable American actors of their generation.
Their film collaborations include:
- The Godfather Part II (1974) — both appear, although their characters’ stories occur in different periods.
- Heat (1995)
- Righteous Kill (2008)
- The Irishman (2019)
Their meeting in Heat became particularly famous because the two actors finally shared an extended scene together as opposing characters.
Their later collaboration in The Irishman reunited them with Joe Pesci and Martin Scorsese.
Robert De Niro as a Gangster Actor
Although De Niro has played an enormous range of characters, gangster roles remain a major part of his screen identity.
Notable crime characters include:
- Johnny Boy — Mean Streets
- Vito Corleone — The Godfather Part II
- Jimmy Conway — Goodfellas
- Al Capone — The Untouchables
- Sam “Ace” Rothstein — Casino
- Neil McCauley — Heat
- Paul Vitti — Analyze This
- Paul Vitti — Analyze That
- Frank Sheeran — The Irishman
- William Hale — Killers of the Flower Moon
- Frank Costello / Vito Genovese — The Alto Knights
However, his filmography also contains many roles far removed from organized crime.
Robert De Niro’s Dramatic Roles
Some of his most important dramatic performances include:
Travis Bickle — Taxi Driver
An isolated Vietnam veteran working as a taxi driver in New York.
Jake LaMotta — Raging Bull
A professional boxer whose personal life becomes increasingly destructive.
Michael Vronsky — The Deer Hunter
A steelworker and Vietnam veteran whose life changes dramatically because of war.
Rupert Pupkin — The King of Comedy
An aspiring comedian obsessed with becoming famous.
David “Noodles” Aaronson — Once Upon a Time in America
A gangster whose life unfolds over several decades.
Max Cady — Cape Fear
A convicted criminal seeking revenge.
Frank Sheeran — The Irishman
An aging labor-union figure looking back on his involvement with organized crime.
William Hale — Killers of the Flower Moon
A wealthy Oklahoma rancher involved in the exploitation and murder of members of the Osage Nation.
Robert De Niro’s Comedy Career
De Niro’s comedy work has become an increasingly important part of his filmography.
Notable comedy roles include:
- Midnight Run
- Analyze This
- Analyze That
- Meet the Parents
- Meet the Fockers
- Little Fockers
- Shark Tale
- Stardust
- Last Vegas
- The Intern
- Dirty Grandpa
- The War with Grandpa
- About My Father
- Focker-in-Law
His ability to parody his own tough-guy and gangster image became particularly effective in the Meet the Parents and Analyze This films.
Robert De Niro as Director
De Niro has also directed feature films.
A Bronx Tale (1993)
His directorial debut, A Bronx Tale, is a coming-of-age story set in the Bronx.
De Niro played Lorenzo Anello while Chazz Palminteri played the gangster Sonny.
The Good Shepherd (2006)
De Niro’s second feature as director was The Good Shepherd, an espionage drama starring Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie and De Niro.
The film explores the origins and development of American intelligence operations through a fictional character.
Robert De Niro as Producer
De Niro has also been extensively involved in film production.
His producer credits include films connected to his acting career as well as independent and prestige projects.
Among the notable productions with his involvement are:
- A Bronx Tale
- The Good Shepherd
- The Irishman
- Ezra
His production career also connects to his broader work in the New York film and cultural community.
Major Directors Robert De Niro Has Worked With
| Director | Notable Collaboration |
|---|---|
| Martin Scorsese | Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, Casino, The Irishman |
| Francis Ford Coppola | The Godfather Part II |
| Brian De Palma | Greetings, Hi, Mom!, The Untouchables |
| Bernardo Bertolucci | 1900 |
| Michael Cimino | The Deer Hunter |
| Sergio Leone | Once Upon a Time in America |
| Terry Gilliam | Brazil |
| Roland Joffé | The Mission |
| Elia Kazan | The Last Tycoon |
| Kenneth Branagh | Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein |
| Michael Mann | Heat |
| Barry Levinson | The Alto Knights |
| David O. Russell | Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, Joy, Amsterdam |
| Todd Phillips | Joker |
| Quentin Tarantino | Jackie Brown |
| Robert Rodriguez | The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle and other projects |
| Nancy Meyers | The Intern |
Robert De Niro’s Awards and Recognition
De Niro has received some of the highest honors available to an American actor.
Academy Awards
He has won two Academy Awards:
Best Supporting Actor — The Godfather Part II (1974)
and
Best Actor — Raging Bull (1980).
He has also received Oscar nominations for films including:
- Taxi Driver
- The Deer Hunter
- Awakenings
- Cape Fear
- Silver Linings Playbook
- The Irishman
- Killers of the Flower Moon
His awards recognition spans several decades, demonstrating the longevity of his career.
The Evolution of Robert De Niro’s Career
1960s: Independent Actor
De Niro began with small parts in independent New York productions.
1970s: Breakthrough
Mean Streets, The Godfather Part II, Taxi Driver and The Deer Hunter established him as a major dramatic actor.
1980s: Creative Peak
Raging Bull, The King of Comedy, Once Upon a Time in America, Brazil, The Mission, The Untouchables and Midnight Run demonstrated his extraordinary range.
1990s: Crime Classics and Mainstream Success
Goodfellas, Cape Fear, Casino, Heat and Analyze This cemented his status while expanding his commercial appeal.
2000s: Comedy and Popular Cinema
The Meet the Parents series introduced De Niro to a new generation through comedy, while films such as The Good Shepherd preserved his connection to serious cinema.
2010s: Prestige Drama and Comedy
Silver Linings Playbook, The Intern, The Wizard of Lies and The Irishman showed that De Niro remained capable of major dramatic performances while continuing to make mainstream comedies.
2020s: Late-Career Renaissance
Projects including The Irishman, Killers of the Flower Moon, The Alto Knights and The Whisper Man have continued his association with crime, drama and major filmmakers, while About My Father and Focker-in-Law demonstrate his continuing work in comedy.
The Most Important Characters in Robert De Niro’s Career
| Character | Film |
|---|---|
| Vito Corleone | The Godfather Part II |
| Travis Bickle | Taxi Driver |
| Jake LaMotta | Raging Bull |
| Johnny Boy | Mean Streets |
| Michael Vronsky | The Deer Hunter |
| Rupert Pupkin | The King of Comedy |
| Noodles | Once Upon a Time in America |
| Al Capone | The Untouchables |
| Jack Walsh | Midnight Run |
| Jimmy Conway | Goodfellas |
| Max Cady | Cape Fear |
| Sam “Ace” Rothstein | Casino |
| Neil McCauley | Heat |
| Paul Vitti | Analyze This |
| Jack Byrnes | Meet the Parents |
| Pat Solitano Sr. | Silver Linings Playbook |
| Bernie Madoff | The Wizard of Lies |
| Murray Franklin | Joker |
| Frank Sheeran | The Irishman |
| William Hale | Killers of the Flower Moon |
| Frank Costello / Vito Genovese | The Alto Knights |
Robert De Niro’s Cinematic Legacy
Robert De Niro’s career is notable for its extraordinary combination of longevity, versatility and collaboration with major filmmakers.
His work with Martin Scorsese alone produced a remarkable collection of films spanning nearly 50 years. His performances in Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, Casino and The Irishman helped define the American crime-film tradition.
At the same time, De Niro has repeatedly demonstrated that he cannot be confined to gangster cinema.
He has played:
- boxers
- soldiers
- priests
- comedians
- taxi drivers
- police officers
- lawyers
- fathers
- businessmen
- politicians
- television hosts
- vampires and supernatural characters
- fantasy heroes and villains
- historical figures
- fictional criminals
- family-comedy characters
His willingness to move between intense drama and broad comedy has helped make his career unusually durable.
Robert De Niro’s movie career represents one of the longest and most varied acting journeys in modern American cinema.
Beginning with a small appearance in Three Rooms in Manhattan (1965), he gradually established himself through New York independent cinema before breaking through with Mean Streets and The Godfather Part II.
The following decades produced some of the most influential films of his generation, including Taxi Driver, The Deer Hunter, Raging Bull, The King of Comedy, Once Upon a Time in America, Goodfellas, Cape Fear, Casino, Heat and The Irishman.
His career then expanded into comedy and mainstream entertainment through films such as Meet the Parents, Meet the Fockers, Analyze This, The Intern and Dirty Grandpa, while he continued returning to serious dramatic work.
In the 2020s, De Niro has remained active, appearing in films such as Killers of the Flower Moon, About My Father, Ezra, The Alto Knights, Tin Soldier and The Whisper Man, with Focker-in-Law continuing the Jack Byrnes character in 2026.
More than six decades after his first film appearance, Robert De Niro remains one of the defining figures of American film acting, with a filmography that connects New Hollywood cinema of the 1970s to contemporary international filmmaking.
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