by Mark Askeda

Created on: November 23, 2011   Last Updated: November 29, 2011

Robert De Niro was born in 1943 in Greenwich Village, New York.  He is an accomplished actor who is best known for his portrayal of gangsters and mafia members.  He won 2 Academy Awards and has been nominated for 4 others.  Additionally, he was nominated for 6 BAFTA Awards and 4 Golden Globes.  De Niro is also a highly regarded director and he received accolades for directing the 1993 film “A Bronx Tale” and the 2006 film “The Good Shepherd”.  This highly accomplished actor holds dual citizenship with both the United States and Italy.

De Niro began his acting career in 1965, but his first starring role was in 1973 (Bang the Drum Slowly), when he starred as Bruce Pierson a catcher for the New York Yankees.  Pierson has contracted a deadly disease in the middle of a World Series Run by the Yankees.  Some of his other famous roles include:

“The Godfather, Part 2”.  De Niro plays a young Vito Corleone in the sequel to the Award winning movie, “The Godfather”.  He portrays Vito during his rise to power in the 1930’s New York streets.  He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in this role.

“Taxi  Driver”.  De Niro plays cab driver Travis Bickle in this movie.  De Niro was nominated for several awards in this classic 1976 film.

“The Deer Hunter”.  In this classic Vietnam War movie, De Niro plays blue collar Michael Vronsky, who goes to Vietnam with the American army

“Raging Bull”.  In this Award Winning 1980 movie, De Niro plays boxer Jake Lamotta.  This film is perhaps the finest boxing movie ever made.

“Once Upon a Time in America”.  This 1984 movie was De Niro’s first major role as a gangster.  In this film, he plays “Noodles” Aaronson, a Jewish gangster.

“The Untouchables”.  De Niro portrayed Al Capone, the top gangster in prohibition era Chicago.  He gained 40 pounds in preparation for starring as Capone.

“Midnight Run”.  De Niro plays bounty hunter Jack Walsh in this action comedy movie.  He plays opposite Charles Grodin and must take Grodin across the country while being pursued by the mob, FBI and local police.

“Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein”.  De Niro takes a shot at playing Frankenstein’s monster in this 1994 remake of the classic film.

“Casino”.  In yet another gangster film, De Niro plays “Ace” Rothstein who manages a Casino owned by the Mafia.

“Analyze This”.  De Niro does an excellent job in this mob comedy movie.  He plays Paul Vitti, a mob boss who is in need of the services of a psychiatrist.  He also starred in the sequel,  Analyze That. 

“Meet the Parents”.  This is perhaps De Niro’s finest comedic role.  He plays retired CIA agent and father, Jack Byrnes.  His daughter brings her fiancé home to meet the family and an overbearing Byrnes makes his life miserable.

He has other excellent roles, but he is best known as a mobster.  He has played in some of the best mob movies ever made.  He has collaborated with Martin Scorcese on many occasions and is also known for working with Al Pacino on several different films.

De Niro is a politically active Democrat and has campaigned for liberals on different occasions.  He is also active in several charitable organizations.  He has been married twice and has five children.

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