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Robert De Niro's Finest Movies
Robert De Niro, born on August 17, 1943, is an esteemed American actor and film producer. Renowned for his work alongside Martin Scorsese, he is widely regarded as one of the most exceptional and influential actors in the industry. Throughout his career, De Niro has been honored with numerous awards, including two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, the Cecil B. DeMille Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.
In addition, he was recognized with the Kennedy Center Honors in 2009 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from former U.S. President Barack Obama in 2016. De Niro honed his acting skills at HB Studio, Stella Adler Conservatory, and Lee Strasberg’s Actors Studio. His initial collaboration with Scorsese was on the 1973 film Mean Streets. De Niro’s exceptional talent was acknowledged with two Academy Awards, one for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Vito Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather Part II (1974) and the other for Best Actor for his role as Jake LaMotta in Scorsese’s masterpiece Raging Bull (1980).
He received Oscar nominations for his performances in Taxi Driver (1976), The Deer Hunter (1978), Awakenings (1990), Cape Fear (1991), Silver Linings Playbook (2012), and Killers of the Flower Moon (2023). In addition to his award-winning roles, De Niro has showcased his talent in a wide range of films, including Bang the Drum Slowly (1973), 1900 (1976), The King of Comedy (1982), Once Upon a Time in America (1984), Brazil (1985), The Mission (1986), The Untouchables (1987), Jacknife (1989), Goodfellas (1990), This Boy’s Life (1993), Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994), Heat (1995), Casino (1995), Jackie Brown (1997), Ronin (1998), Joker (2019), and The Irishman (2019).
He has also taken on comedic roles in films such as Greetings (1968); Hi, Mom! (1970); Midnight Run (1988); Wag the Dog (1997); Analyze This (1999) and its sequel, Analyze That (2002); the Meet the Parents films (2000–2010); and The Intern (2019).
Robert De Niro is undoubtedly one of the most gifted and versatile actors in the annals of cinema. With a career spanning over five decades, he has delivered innumerable unforgettable performances that have enthralled audiences worldwide. From gripping dramas to uproarious comedies, De Niro has showcased his extraordinary acting prowess in a diverse array of films. In this blog post, we will delve deeper into some of his best movies.
Taxi Driver (1976)
Taxi Driver released in 1976, Under the direction of Martin Scorsese, is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. In this gritty and brooding psychological thriller, De Niro portrays the character of Travis Bickle, a mentally unstable Vietnam War veteran who works as a taxi driver in New York City. De Niro’s portrayal of Bickle is nothing short of mesmerizing, capturing the character’s descent into madness with haunting authenticity. The film garnered De Niro an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, cementing his status as a formidable performer.
The Godfather 2
The Godfather Part II released in 1974, Francis Ford Coppola’s epic crime drama, De Niro delivers a masterful performance as a young Vito Corleone, a character originally portrayed by Marlon Brando in the first film. De Niro flawlessly embodies the essence of this iconic character, depicting his ascent to power in the realm of organized crime. His portrayal earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, making him the first actor to win an Oscar for portraying a character originated by another actor.
Goodfellas ( 1990)
Directed by Martin Scorsese, “Goodfellas” is a captivating crime drama that tells the true story of mobster Henry Hill. In this film, De Niro takes on the role of James Conway, a ruthless and charismatic gangster. His portrayal is both intimidating and mesmerizing, showcasing his ability to bring complex characters to life. Widely hailed as one of the greatest films ever made, “Goodfellas” owes much of its success to De Niro’s exceptional performance.
Raging Bull (1980)
Released in 1980 is a biographical sports drama helmed by Martin Scorsese, where De Niro brilliantly embodies the real-life boxer Jake LaMotta. De Niro’s commitment to the role was unparalleled, as he underwent a rigorous physical transformation to portray LaMotta at different stages of his life. His performance is raw and emotionally charged, earning him an Academy Award for Best Actor. Often regarded as one of the finest sports films ever made, “Raging Bull” stands as a testament to De Niro’s remarkable achievement in portraying LaMotta
Heat (1995)
In Michael Mann’s crime thriller “Heat,” released in 1995, De Niro shares the screen with Al Pacino in a highly anticipated clash between two acting legends. De Niro takes on the role of Neil McCauley, a professional thief, while Pacino portrays Vincent Hanna, a dedicated detective. The film showcases De Niro’s ability to bring depth and complexity to his characters, as he portrays McCauley as a conflicted and introspective criminal. The on-screen chemistry between De Niro and Pacino is electric, making “Heat” an absolute must-watch for fans of their exceptional work.
Robert De Niro’s filmography is filled with extraordinary performances that have made an indelible impact on the world of cinema. From his early collaborations with Martin Scorsese to his iconic roles in crime dramas, De Niro consistently demonstrates his immense talent and versatility as an actor. Whether he portrays a troubled loner, a mobster, or a boxer, De Niro brings an unparalleled level of authenticity and depth to his characters. His contributions to the film industry are truly remarkable, solidifying his status as one of the greatest actors of our time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Robert De Niro played Jake La Motta in Raging Bull (1980) for which he has won Oscar Award for Best Actor, for Godfather Part 2 he has won best supporting actor.
De Niro best known as a leading actor based on credits in that role in 70 films, with $4,432,835,592 worldwide and has won two Oscar Awards. Al Pacino has appeared in in lead role in total of 38 films, with $1,720,713,492 worldwide and has been nominated nine times, bagging one Oscar, for the movie “Scent of a Woman” in 1993.
Robert Deniro’s first commercial successful movie is Godfather Part-2, which grossed over $ 45 Million worldwide.