Robert De Nirois one of the greatest and most influential actors of his generation and is universally recognized for his riveting performances in hits such asTaxi Driver,The Deer Hunter, andGoodfellas. As a teenager, De Niro found that performing was an effective way to overcome his shyness and, after becoming fascinated by movies, he dropped out of high school to pursue a career in acting. He went on to study at HB Studio, Stella Adler Conservatory, and the Actor’s Studio under the legendaryLee Strasberg.
Over the years, De Niro has starred in an abundance of popular movies, includingRaging Bull,Once Upon a Time in America, andA Bronx Tale, showcasinghis impressive range and versatility as a method actor to an impeccable degree. Out of his extensive collection of infamous roles, titles such asCasinoandThe Godfather: Part IIare among the actor’s most essential movies of all time.
10’The King of Comedy’ (1982)
Directed by Martin Scorsese
De Niro stars as delusional aspiring comedian, Rupert Pupkin, who, despite his lack of failure as a stand-up comedian, still believes he’s a star in his own mind. When he meets a famous talk-show host, Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis), Rupert thinks his big break is just around the corner, but unfortunately, Jerry has no interest in Rupert or his routine.Despite the rejection, Rupert begins to stalk the host and kidnaps him, hoping it will earn him a guest spot on his next show.
The King of Comedyis a satrical black comedy and the fifth collaboration between De Niro and director,Martin Scorsese. The character of Pupkin is a bit out of De Niro’s traditional wheelhouse, buthe delivers one of his most intriguing performances as a man completely consumed by his twisted imaginationand a wicked sense of humor that audiences find both unsettling and curious.
The King of Comedy
Rupert Pupkin is a passionate yet unsuccessful comic who craves nothing more than to be in the spotlight and to achieve this, he stalks and kidnaps his idol to take the spotlight for himself.
9’Casino' (1995)
Casinois a gritty gangster film set during the height of the mob’s rise in Las Vegas and follows mafia associate, Sam “Ace” Rothstein (De Niro), who is sent to Sin City to run and operate the Tangiers Casino, whichhe ultimately turns into one of the most successful casinos in town. In an effort to protect him and their assets, the bosses back East send Sam’s friend and mob enforcer, Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci), whose greed and hot temper end up making him more of a problem than a solution for Sam.
Martin Scorsese’sCasinois based onNicholas Pileggi’s 1995 non-fiction book,Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas, and also features a star-studded supporting cast includingSharon Stone,Frank Vincent,James Woods, andDon Rickles. While there are similarities betweenCasinoand Scorsese’sGoodfellas, De Niro is the main attraction ofCasino, deliveringan intensely sharp and calculated performance that is impossible to deny as being one of the actor’s all-time best.
In Las Vegas, two best friends — a casino executive and a mafia enforcer — compete for a gambling empire and a fast-living, fast-loving socialite.
8’A Bronx Tale' (1993)
Directed by Robert De Niro
De Niro directs and stars in the coming-of-age gangster drama,A Bronx Tale, as a hardworking bus driver and family man, Lorenzo Anello, who becomes concerned when a local mobster, Sonny (Chazz Palminteri), takes his son (Lillo Brancato Jr.) under his wing. As Lorenzo tries to steer his son on the right path, he only pushes him closer to Sonny, but he is unaware that Sonny doesn’t want the young man to follow in his footsteps.
A Bronx Taleis an adaptation of Palminteri’s 1989 one-man show of the same name and also marked De Niro’s directorial debut, demonstrating the actor’s immense capabilities behind the camera. While De Niro proves himself as a force in the director’s chair,he also gives an emotional performance that varies from his typical mobster movie roles and essentially stands out as one of his finest films.A Bronx Taleearned generally positive reviews fromcritics, including Roger Ebert, who gave the movie four out of four stars, praising it as “very funny and very touching.”
A Bronx Tale
7’Once Upon a Time in America' (1984)
Directed by Sergio Leone
De Niro stars inSergio Leone’s epic gangster drama,Once Upon a Time in America, as David “Noodles” Aaronson, who returns to his childhood neighborhood in New York City, wherehe begins to reminisce about his friends who are now long gone and his past life of success, wealth, and crime. While Noodles walks down memory lane, he never expects to find a part of his past lingering close by which eventually leads him to a highly unexpected revelation.
Once Upon a Time in Americais a love letter to the classic gangster film, which unfolds through a nonlinear narrative and features an all-star cast including James Woods, Joe Pesci,William Forsythe, andElizabeth McGovern.De Niro delivers a compelling and chilling performance, depicting his character with a sinister grandeur and lack of morality, but as the film progresses, De Niro slowly reveals minor hints of empathy and regret behind his character’s hardened exterior, ultimately earningOnce Upon a Time in Americaa place among De Niro’s most essential films.
Once Upon a Time in America
A former Prohibition-era Jewish gangster returns to the Lower East Side of Manhattan 35 years later, where he must once again confront the ghosts and regrets of his old life.
6’Heat' (1995)
Directed by Michael Mann
De Niro stars inMichael Mann’sHeatas a seasoned criminal mastermind,Neil McCauley, who is trying to track down one of his men who has gone rouge after a botched job, while also trying to plan one final heist before retiring from his unconventional career. Neil soon finds himself in the cross-hairs of LAPD Lieutenant Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino), who, while juggling his problematic personal life, is assigned to investigate Neil’s recent job, leading the men to come face to face and find that they have mutual respect for one another.
Heatmay initially appear to be an action-packed crime thriller, but beyond the excessive violence and crime, it is an insightful exploration of the complicated dynamic between criminals and law enforcement, as well as a study into basic human nature and fractured relationships, which resonates with everyone on some certain level. Despite only sharing a few moments on-screen together,De Niro and Pacino are the heart and soul of this stylish and sophisticated film, each executing articulate performances with sheer precision and intensity that only performers of their caliber could achieve.
A group of high-end professional thieves start to feel the heat from the LAPD when they unknowingly leave a verbal clue at their latest heist.
5’Raging Bull' (1980)
De Niro enters the ring in the gripping sports drama,Raging Bull, as Jake LaMotta, an up-and-coming boxer who relentlessly works his way through the ranks and eventually has the chance to become the world middleweight champion.As Jake rises through the boxing scene, his personal life is plagued by paranoia and rage, taking a destructive toll on himself as well as those around him.
Based on the 1970 memoirRaging Bull: My Story, the movie tells the torrid true story ofJake LaMotta, who held the title of world middleweight champion from 1949 to 1951 and had a reputation for his hard style of fighting and stalking technique.De Niro’s performance is incredibly tenacious and exposes LaMotta in an unapologetic and raw light, effectively conveying an unsympathetic character.Raging Bullwas a major success and received several Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director, and ended up winning for Best Film Editing and Best Actor, marking De Niro’s second Oscar win.
Raging Bull
Directed by Martin Scorsese, Raging Bull is a 1980 sports drama based on the rise and fall of real-life boxer Jake LaMotta as he strives for success while dealing with his inner demons and his violent temper. Robert De Niro stars as the middleweight champion, with Joe Pesci, Cathy Moriarty, and Nicholas Colasanto in supporting roles.
4’The Deer Hunter' (1978)
Directed by Michael Cimino
In 1968, three Pennsylvania steelworkers and longtime friends, Mike (De Niro), Nick (Christopher Walken), and Steven (John Savage), are set to ship out to fight in the Vietnam War shortly after celebrating Nick’s marriage to hometown sweetheart, Linda (Meryl Streep).When the friends arrive in Vietnam, they’re horrified by the inhumanity of warfareand endure a series of traumatic events that change their lives forever.
The Deer Hunterisan essential Vietnam War filmthat boldly explores the horrific physical and mental trauma that many endured after their service and followed them home.De Niro delivers an utterly devastating and moving performance which is fueled by unbearable loss and irreparable damage, ultimately deeming it to be one of the actor’s most profound performances.The Deer Hunterwas widely praised by audiences and critics and earned eight Oscar nominations, including Best Actor for De Niro and Best Supporting Actress for Streep, and ended up winning five of its nominations, notably for Best Picture and Best Director.
The Deer Hunter
An in-depth examination of the ways in which the Vietnam War impacts and disrupts the lives of several friends in a small steel mill town in Pennsylvania.
3’Goodfellas' (1990)
Goodfellasis an essential mafia moviewhich tells the story of real-life mob associate, Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), who entered the life of organized crime as a teenager and worked his way up in the Lucchese family to achieve a life of wealth and luxury. Despite his success and building a more than decent life for himself and his family,Henry is led down a dangerous path by his friends, Jimmy Conway (De Niro) and Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci) and eventually finds himself cornered by the FBI.
Goodfellasis based on the non-fiction book,Wiseguy, written byNicholas Pileggi, which tells the true story of Lucchese crime family associate, Henry Hill, who famously flipped on his associates to save his own skin. The movie was a major success, earning universal praise from critics, which many claimed to be one of the finest films surrounding organized crime. Even though De Niro plays a supporting character in this Scorsese classic,his performance is still among the film’s most iconic and memorable.The actor delivers a character who is the epitome of a no-nonsense wiseguy and essentially adds an unwavering sense of unpredictability and tension that heightens the overall tone of the film.
Goodfellas
The story of Henry Hill and his life in the mafia, covering his relationship with his wife Karen and his mob partners Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito.
2’Taxi Driver' (1976)
De Niro delivers a riveting performance in the neo-noir psychological drama,Taxi Driver, asa Vietnam War veteran and cab driver, Travis Bickle, who is slowly losing his grip on realityand consumed by the morally broken and rotting society around him. While Travis' mind continues to deteriorate, he starts to believe that he can save the world and makes it his mission to rescue a young girl (Jodie Foster) from a life on the streets.
Taxi Driveris an essential New Hollywood neo-noirand a vital De Niro film which features the actor in one of his most complex and captivating roles to date. De Niro immediately lures audiences in with his performance, conveying a character who is haunted by his bewildering mind and plagued by loneliness and obsession to the point of no return. Initially, some critics criticizedTaxi Driverfor its excessive violence and gore, butthere’s no denying that De Niro gives an absolutely profane and spellbinding performance, solidifyingTaxi Driveras a must-see De Niro classic.
Taxi Driver
A mentally unstable veteran works as a nighttime taxi driver in New York City, where the perceived decadence and sleaze fuels his urge for violent action.
1’The Godfather Part II' (1974)
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
Al Pacino reprises his role inThe Godfather: Part IIas Michael Corleone, who, despite his efforts to attempt to steer the family down more legitimate business ventures and away from organized crime, still finds that he and his family are in danger after an attempt is made on his life and becomes the center of a Congressional hearing.While Michael tries to find the traitor among him, the movie gives audiences a look into the early years of his father, Vito Corleone (De Niro), and his journey to the United States and building his family empire.
De Niro gave a defining performance inFrancis Ford Coppola’sThe Godfather: Part II, which earned the actor his first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. In an effort to prepare for the role, De Niro spent several months in Sicily, where he studied the Sicilian language and dialect, essentially immersing himself into the culture. His preparation and skill as a method actor also allowed him to capture Vito’s mannerisms and voice, which were originally established byMarlon Brando. Even though Michael Corleone is the central character,De Niro’s performance is exceptionally mesmerizing and is a genuine testament to the actor’s incredible talent and undeniable dedication to his craft.
The Godfather Part II
The early life and career of Vito Corleone in 1920s New York City is portrayed while his son, Michael, expands and tightens his grip on the family crime syndicate.
