Robert De Niro Biography, Robert Anthony De Niro born August 17, 1943 is an American actor and film producer, widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential actors of his generation. Throughout his career, De Niro has earned numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, eight BAFTA Award nominations, and four Emmy nominations. He was awarded the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2003, the Kennedy Center Honors in 2009, the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2011, and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2019. In 2016, U.S.
Robert De Niro Biography
Robert De Niro, widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in cinematic history, was born in 1943 in Manhattan, New York City, to artists Virginia Admiral and Robert De Niro Sr. His heritage includes Italian ancestry through his paternal grandfather, as well as Irish, English, Dutch, German, and French roots. He trained at the Stella Adler Conservatory and the American Workshop. De Niro first gained significant attention for his role in Bang the Drum Slowly (1973), but it was his portrayal in Mean Streets (1973), his first collaboration with director Martin Scorsese, that cemented his reputation as a dynamic and intense actor. His career soared after winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II (1974). He also received multiple Academy Award nominations, including Best Actor for his roles in Taxi Driver (1976).
Robert Anthony De Niro is an American actor and film producer. He is considered to be one of the greatest and most influential actors of his generation.
Born: 17 August 1943 (age 81 years), Manhattan, New York, United States
Partner: Tiffany Chen
Upcoming movie: The Alto Knights
Children: Drena De Niro, Raphael De Niro, Aaron Kendrick De Niro, Elliot De Niro, Julian Henry De Niro
De Niro was born in the Manhattan borough of New York City on August 17, 1943, as the only child of painters Virginia Admiral and Robert De Niro Sr. His father was of Irish and Italian descent, while his mother had Dutch, English, French, and German ancestry. His parents separated when De Niro was two years old after his father came out as gay. De Niro was raised by his mother in Greenwich Village and Little Italy, with his father remaining a part of his life. Nicknamed “Bobby Milk” because of his pale complexion, De Niro befriended many street kids in Little Italy, despite his father’s disapproval.
De Niro’s mother was originally Presbyterian but became an atheist, while his father had abandoned Catholicism at a young age. Against his parents’ wishes, his grandparents secretly had him baptized into the Catholic Church during his parents’ divorce. De Niro attended PS 41, a public elementary school in Manhattan, and made his stage debut at age 10, playing the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz.
Profession: Actor, Film Producer, Director, Voice Actor, Television Producer
Nationality: United States of America
Film Success
De Niro’s career flourished with a string of critically acclaimed roles, including Taxi Driver (1976), where his portrayal of Travis Bickle made him an icon, and The Deer Hunter (1978), which earned him another Academy Award nomination. His role in Raging Bull (1980) earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor after he gained 60 pounds and trained to become boxer Jake LaMotta. In 1993, De Niro made his directorial debut with A Bronx Tale, a film that gained a cult following despite initial mixed reviews. He directed again in 2006 with The Good Shepherd.
Personal Life
De Niro currently resides in New York City, where he has invested in the Tribeca area, including the Tribeca Film Festival and several restaurants and properties. His personal life has been marked by his marriages and children. De Niro’s first marriage was to actress and singer Diahnne Abbott, with whom he has a son, Raphael. He later adopted Abbott’s daughter, Drena. While still married to Abbott, he had twin sons with model Toukie Smith via a surrogate. In 1997, De Niro married actress and philanthropist Grace Hightower, with whom he had two children, Elliot (born in 1998) and Helen Grace (born via surrogate in 2011). After a turbulent relationship, De Niro and Hightower finalized their divorce in 2021. In 2023, at age 79, De Niro welcomed his seventh child.
Business Ventures
De Niro has expanded his wealth through business ventures, most notably the Nobu restaurant chain, co-founded with chef Nobu Matsuhisa. The Nobu empire continues to thrive with over 40 locations globally. He also owns The Greenwich Hotel in New York and has invested in the planned luxury resort Paradise Found in Barbuda, alongside Australian billionaire James Packer.
In 2019, as part of his ongoing divorce with Grace Hightower, court documents revealed that De Niro’s net worth is at least $500 million, and he earned between $250 to $300 million from 2004 to 2018. Hightower claimed De Niro had kept her in the dark about his finances, and as part of their prenuptial agreement, she was entitled to significant financial support. However, De Niro argued that his financial situation had changed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on his business empire, particularly the Nobu chain. In 2020, a legal dispute arose over De Niro reducing Hightower’s monthly American Express allowance from $100,000 to $50,000, amid financial difficulties. Despite the legal battles, De Niro continues to navigate his personal and professional life with success.
Real Estate
De Niro has significant real estate holdings. In 2006, he and Grace purchased a $20.9 million 6,000-square-foot apartment in New York City, previously owned by Harvey Weinstein. As part of their divorce settlement, the apartment was listed by Grace in April 2024 for $20 million.
What is Robert De Niro Net Worth and Salary?
As of February 2025, Robert De Niro’s net worth is estimated to be around $500 million. This makes him one of the wealthiest actors in Hollywood.
Highest Paid Role If reports suggest, then Robert De Niro has been paid much more for his lead roles, and the fee for such films has been quoted as high as $25 million. This means that the actor has already witnessed a jump of a staggering 49,999,900%.