Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Robert De Niro
How Robert De Niro built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Robert De Niro is a highly acclaimed American actor, director, film producer, and restaurateur, widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential actors of his generation. He has received numerous awards, including two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and nominations for several BAFTA and Emmy Awards. De Niro's contributions to the film industry have been recognized with prestigious honors such as the AFI Life Achievement Award, Kennedy Center Honors, Cecil B. DeMille Award, Presidential Medal of Freedom, Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, and the Honorary Palme d'Or.
1973: Starred in Bang the Drum Slowly and Mean Streets
In 1973, De Niro starred in Bang the Drum Slowly and Mean Streets, which were critically acclaimed.
1974: Starred in The Godfather Part II
In 1974, De Niro starred in The Godfather Part II, which was critically acclaimed.
1976: 1900 Release
In 1976, De Niro appeared in 1900, a historical drama directed by Bernardo Bertolucci.
1976: 1900 and The Last Tycoon Release
In 1976, De Niro starred in 1900, a historical drama, and played a CEO in The Last Tycoon, based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel. He lost 42 pounds for the role in The Last Tycoon.
1976: Starred in Taxi Driver
In 1976, De Niro starred in Taxi Driver, which was critically acclaimed.
1976: Taxi Driver Nomination
In 1976, De Niro was Oscar-nominated for his performance in Taxi Driver.
1977: Newsweek Remarks
In 1977, Newsweek remarked that De Niro "gives you the shock of becoming, of a metamorphosis that can be thrilling, moving, or frightening."
1978: The Deer Hunter Release
In 1978, De Niro starred in The Deer Hunter, an epic war film, playing a steelworker whose life changed after serving in the Vietnam War. The film received positive reviews, and De Niro was nominated for an Academy Award.
1978: Starred in The Deer Hunter
In 1978, De Niro starred in The Deer Hunter, which was critically acclaimed.
1980: Starred in Raging Bull
In 1980, De Niro starred in Raging Bull, which was critically acclaimed.
1980: Raging Bull Release
In 1980, Robert De Niro collaborated with Martin Scorsese for the fourth time in the biographical drama Raging Bull, adapted from Jake LaMotta's memoir, Raging Bull: My Story. De Niro portrayed LaMotta, an Italian-American middleweight boxer, whose violent behavior destroys his relationship with his wife and family. De Niro's performance received critical acclaim, and he later won Best Actor at the 53rd Academy Awards. Raging Bull has since been regarded as one of the greatest films of the 1980s by American critics.
1980: Academy Award for Raging Bull
In 1980, Robert De Niro won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull.
1981: True Confessions Release
In 1981, Robert De Niro starred in the crime genre film True Confessions, adapted from the 1977 novel of the same name by John Gregory Dunne. De Niro played a priest who clashes with his brother, a detective investigating the murder of a prostitute.
1982: The King of Comedy Release
In 1982, Robert De Niro starred in The King of Comedy, playing Rupert Pupkin, a struggling stand-up comedian. De Niro brought the script to Martin Scorsese's attention, who gave it a New York setting and darker tone. While most critics praised De Niro's performance, the film failed to find an audience and was a box office disappointment.
1983: Starred in The King of Comedy
In 1983, De Niro starred in The King of Comedy, which was critically acclaimed.
1984: Starred in Once Upon a Time in America
In 1984, De Niro starred in Once Upon a Time in America, which was critically acclaimed.
1984: Once Upon a Time in America and Falling in Love Release
In 1984, Robert De Niro starred in Sergio Leone's Once Upon a Time in America, playing David "Noodles" Aaronson, a New York City Jewish gangster. The film premiered at the 1984 Cannes Film Festival and received a 15-minute standing ovation. Later in 1984, De Niro's romantic comedy, Falling in Love, starring opposite Meryl Streep, was released.
1984: Releases of Falling in Love
In 1984, Robert De Niro's last release of the year was Falling in Love, a romantic comedy starring opposite Meryl Streep.
1986: Starred in The Mission
In 1986, De Niro starred in The Mission, which was critically acclaimed.
July 1987: President of the Jury at the 15th Moscow International Film Festival
In July 1987, Robert De Niro traveled to Russia to serve as president of the jury at the 15th Moscow International Film Festival.
1988: Starred in Midnight Run
In 1988, De Niro starred in Midnight Run, which was critically acclaimed.
1988: Midnight Run Release
In 1988, Robert De Niro starred in the buddy cop film, Midnight Run, opposite Charles Grodin, playing bounty hunter Jack Walsh. The film received amicable reception and was a commercial success.
1988: Turning down role in The Last Temptation of Christ
In 1988, Robert De Niro turned down an opportunity to play Jesus Christ in Martin Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ, although he offered to do it as a favor if needed. Willem Dafoe was cast instead.
1989: TriBeCa Productions Co-founding
In 1989, De Niro and partner Jane Rosenthal co-founded the film production company TriBeCa Productions, which also organizes the Tribeca Film Festival.
1989: Founded TriBeCa Productions
In 1989, De Niro and producer Jane Rosenthal founded the film and television production company TriBeCa Productions.
1989: Starring in Jacknife and We're No Angels
In 1989, Robert De Niro starred alongside Ed Harris and Kathy Baker in the drama Jacknife, revolving around the complex relationship between a Vietnam veteran, his sister and fellow army buddy. Next, he starred in the crime comedy We're No Angels with Sean Penn and Demi Moore, a remake of the 1955 film of the same name, playing escaped convicts on the run towards Canada.
1990: Tribeca Grill Opening
In 1990, De Niro opened Tribeca Grill, a New American restaurant located in Tribeca, Manhattan.
1990: Starred in Goodfellas
In 1990, De Niro starred in Goodfellas, which was critically acclaimed.
1990: Goodfellas Release
In 1990, De Niro starred in the movie Goodfellas.
1990: Awakenings Nomination
In 1990, De Niro was Oscar-nominated for his performance in Awakenings.
1990: Goodfellas and Awakenings Release
In 1990, Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese reunited for their sixth collaboration in the crime film Goodfellas, an adaptation of the 1985 non-fiction book Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi. De Niro played James Conway, an Irish truck carjacker and gangster. Also in 1990, De Niro appeared in the lead role for Awakenings, directed by Penny Marshall, based on Oliver Sacks' 1973 book of the same title. The film tells the story of Dr. Malcolm Sayer, who discovers benefits of the drug L-Dopa in 1969 and administers it to catatonic patients. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Actor for De Niro.
1991: Cape Fear Nomination
In 1991, De Niro was Oscar-nominated for his performance in Cape Fear.
1991: Guilty by Suspicion, Backdraft and Cape Fear Release
In 1991, Robert De Niro starred in the drama Guilty by Suspicion, playing a fictitious film director, returning to the U.S. during the McCarthy era and Hollywood blacklist. He also had a minor role in the mystery drama Backdraft, playing a veteran fire inspector. De Niro's biggest success of 1991 was Cape Fear, his seventh film with Martin Scorsese, where De Niro portrays convicted rapist Max Cady, who seeks revenge against a former public defender. The film earned De Niro a Best Actor nomination at the 64th Academy Awards.
1992: Mistress and Night and the City Release
In 1992, Robert De Niro appeared in two films. First, he played Evan Wright in the comedy-drama Mistress. Then he was cast as New York lawyer Harry Fabian in Irwin Winkler's Night and the City, a crime drama remake of the 1950 film noir of the same name. Next, he served as a producer for the mystery thriller Thunderheart.
1993: A Bronx Tale Release
In 1993, De Niro directed and acted in the crime drama A Bronx Tale.
1993: Directorial Debut with A Bronx Tale
In 1993, Robert De Niro made his directorial debut with A Bronx Tale, a coming-of-age story about an Italian-American boy. A year later, De Niro was cast in the lead role of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, an adaptation of Mary Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein.
1993: Mad Dog and Glory and This Boy's Life Release
In 1993, Robert De Niro played crime scene photographer Wayne Dobie in the comedy drama Mad Dog and Glory with co-stars Uma Thurman and Bill Murray. Next, De Niro starred in the coming-of-age film This Boy's Life, based on the memoir of the same name by Tobias Wolff. The film features Ellen Barkin and Leonardo DiCaprio. He played stepfather Dwight Hansen of Wolff.
1995: Heat and Casino Release
1995: Minor roles in French comedy and drama
In 1995, Robert De Niro had minor roles in the French comedy One Hundred and One Nights and in the drama Panther.
1996: Starred in 'The Fan' and 'Sleepers', co-produced 'Faithful', and released video game '9: The Last Resort'
In 1996, Robert De Niro starred in the sports thriller The Fan, based on the novel by Peter Abrahams, playing Gil Renard. He also appeared in the crime drama Sleepers as priest Bobby Carillo and co-produced the crime-comedy Faithful. In 1996, the video game '9: The Last Resort' was released, produced by De Niro.
1997: Jackie Brown and Wag the Dog Release
In 1997, De Niro starred in Jackie Brown and Wag the Dog.
1997: Appeared in 'Cop Land', co-starred and co-produced 'Wag the Dog', and had a supporting role in 'Jackie Brown'
In 1997, Robert De Niro appeared in James Mangold's Cop Land as Lt. Moe Tilden, co-starred and co-produced Wag the Dog, a political satire, and had a supporting role in Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown.
1998: Appeared in 'Great Expectations' and 'Ronin'
In 1998, Robert De Niro appeared in Great Expectations, a modern adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel, playing Arthur Lustig. Later that year, he starred in Ronin as Sam, an American mercenary.
1999: Starred in 'Analyze This' and 'Flawless'
In 1999, Robert De Niro starred in Harold Ramis' Analyze This as an insecure mob boss, and in Flawless as a homophobic police officer.
2000: Meet the Parents Films
From 2000 to present, De Niro starred in the Meet the Parents films.
2000: Starred in Meet the Parents
In 2000, De Niro starred in Meet the Parents, which was critically acclaimed.
2000: Produced and starred in 'The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle' and 'Men of Honor', and starred in 'Meet the Parents'
In 2000, Robert De Niro produced and starred in The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle, voicing Fearless Leader, and played Master Chief 'Billy' Sunday in Men of Honor. He also starred in the comedy Meet the Parents as Jack Byrnes.
2001: Starred in '15 Minutes' and 'The Score'
In 2001, Robert De Niro starred in the crime thriller 15 Minutes as a homicide detective and in Frank Oz's The Score as a retiring thief.
2002: Founded Tribeca Film Festival
In 2002, De Niro founded the Tribeca Film Festival with Jane Rosenthal.
2002: Collaborated in 'City by the Sea', appeared in 'Analyze That', and produced 'About a Boy' and appeared in '9/11'
In 2002, Robert De Niro collaborated with Michael Caton-Jones in City by the Sea, appeared in Analyze That, a sequel to Analyze This, served as a producer for About a Boy, and appeared in 9/11, a CBS documentary.
2004: Starred in 'Godsend', voiced a character in 'Shark Tale', co-produced 'Stage Beauty', reprised role in 'Meet the Fockers', and starred in 'The Bridge of San Luis Rey'
In 2004, Robert De Niro played a doctor in Godsend, voiced a character in Shark Tale, co-produced Stage Beauty, reprised his role as Jack Byrnes in Meet the Fockers, and starred in The Bridge of San Luis Rey.
2005: Starred in 'Hide and Seek'
In 2005, Robert De Niro starred in the horror film Hide and Seek, playing Dr. David Callaway.
2006: The Good Shepherd Release
In 2006, De Niro directed and acted in the spy film The Good Shepherd.
2006: Donation to Harry Ransom Center
In 2006, De Niro donated his collection of film-related materials to the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin.
2006: Directed 'The Good Shepherd' and voiced Emperor Sifrat XVI in 'Arthur and the Invisibles'
In 2006, Robert De Niro directed his second film, The Good Shepherd, and voiced the character Emperor Sifrat XVI in Arthur and the Invisibles.
2007: Starred in 'Stardust'
In 2007, Robert De Niro's sole project was Matthew Vaughn's Stardust, a fantasy adventure, where he played Captain Shakespeare.
2008: Starred in 'Righteous Kill' and 'What Just Happened'
In 2008, Robert De Niro starred in the police procedural thriller Righteous Kill opposite Al Pacino and in What Just Happened, a satirical comedy.
2009: Opening of Collection at Harry Ransom Center
In 2009, De Niro's collection of film-related materials, which he donated in 2006, opened to the public at the Harry Ransom Center.
2009: Cast as Frank Goode in 'Everybody's Fine'
In 2009, Robert De Niro was cast as Frank Goode in the drama Everybody's Fine, a remake of Giuseppe Tornatore's Italian film of the same name.
2010: Starred in 'Machete', 'Stone', and 'Little Fockers'
In 2010, Robert De Niro had a minor part in Machete, starred in Stone, and in Little Fockers, the second sequel to Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers.
2011: Starred in 'Manuale d'amore 3', 'Killer Elite', 'Limitless', and 'New Year's Eve', and appointed president of Cannes Film Festival jury
In 2011, Robert De Niro starred in the Italian comedy Manuale d'amore 3, Killer Elite, Limitless, and New Year's Eve. He was also appointed president of the jury for the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.
2012: Silver Linings Playbook
In 2012, De Niro appeared in Silver Linings Playbook as the father of Pat Solatano. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Supporting Actor for De Niro.
2012: Artists Against Fracking
In 2012, De Niro joined the anti-fracking campaign Artists Against Fracking.
2012: Starred in 'Being Flynn', 'Red Lights', and 'Freelancers'
In 2012, Robert De Niro starred in Being Flynn, based on Nick Flynn's memoir, Red Lights, and Freelancers.
2013: American Hustle Cameo
In 2013, De Niro played a one-scene uncredited cameo role in American Hustle as mob boss Victor Tellegio.
2013: Roles in The Big Wedding, Killing Season, The Family, and Last Vegas
In 2013, De Niro was cast in The Big Wedding, Killing Season, and The Family, all of which received negative reviews. He also starred in Last Vegas, which received respectable reviews.
2014: Remembering the Artist Robert De Niro Sr.
In 2014, De Niro appeared in a documentary about his father titled Remembering the Artist Robert De Niro Sr., which aired on HBO.
2015: The Audition, Ellis, Heist, and Joy
In 2015, De Niro appeared in two short films, The Audition and Ellis, starred in Heist, and starred in the biographical drama Joy.
2015: James Packer Investment in Nobu
In 2015, De Niro partnered with James Packer after the billionaire acquired a 20 percent stake in Nobu for $100 million.
2015: The Intern
In 2015, De Niro starred in Nancy Meyers' comedy The Intern alongside Anne Hathaway, receiving positive reviews and a Critics Choice Movie Awards nomination.
2016: Dirty Grandpa, Hands of Stone, and The Comedian
In 2016, De Niro co-starred in Dirty Grandpa, appeared in Hands of Stone, and released The Comedian.
2016: Defended Vaxxed documentary and Tribeca Film Festival controversy
In 2016, De Niro initially defended the inclusion of the controversial documentary Vaxxed at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival, which was later withdrawn. He also expressed his personal interest due to his autistic son, Elliot.
2017: The Wizard of Lies Release
In 2017, De Niro portrayed Bernie Madoff in the HBO film The Wizard of Lies.
2019: The Irishman Nomination
In 2019, De Niro earned a nomination for Best Picture for producing The Irishman.
2019: Joker and The Irishman
In 2019, De Niro played Murray Franklin in Joker and reunited with Martin Scorsese for The Irishman, receiving critical acclaim.
2019: Saturday Night Live and When They See Us
In 2019, De Niro portrayed Robert Mueller on Saturday Night Live and received Emmy nominations for his performance and for producing When They See Us.
May 2020: Apple TV+ co-financing Killers of the Flower Moon
In May 2020, Apple TV+ was announced to co-finance and co-distribute Killers of the Flower Moon with Paramount.
September 2020: Father of the Bride Part 3(ish)
In September 2020, De Niro appeared in Nancy Meyers' comedy short film Father of the Bride Part 3(ish).
2020: 'Godsend' considered poorest-performing work as of 2020
As of 2020, the film 'Godsend' is considered Robert De Niro's poorest-performing work, receiving a 4% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
January 2021: Amsterdam
In January 2021, De Niro signed on for the historical comedy Amsterdam, playing an army veteran.
August 2022: The Alto Knights
In August 2022, De Niro signed on to star in the Warner Bros. mob drama The Alto Knights.
October 2022: Amsterdam Release
In October 2022, Amsterdam, which De Niro signed on for in January 2021, was released.
December 2, 2022: Savage Salvation Release
On December 2, 2022, De Niro appeared in Savage Salvation as Sheriff Church, which was released on this date.
2022: Films Inducted into the U.S. National Film Registry
As of 2022, six of De Niro's films have been inducted into the U.S. National Film Registry.
March 1, 2023: Zero Day
On March 1, 2023, it was announced that De Niro will produce and star in the limited series Zero Day for Netflix.
2023: About My Father and Nada
In 2023, De Niro appeared in the comedy About My Father and in the television series Nada.
2023: Killers of the Flower Moon Nomination
In 2023, De Niro earned a nomination for his performance in Killers of the Flower Moon.
2023: Starred in Killers of the Flower Moon
In 2023, De Niro starred in Killers of the Flower Moon, which was critically acclaimed.
2024: Ezra Theatrical Release
In 2024, the film Ezra, which premiered at Toronto International Film Festival 2023, was acquired by Bleecker Street for theatrical release.
May 13, 2025: Received Honorary Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival
On May 13, 2025, De Niro received the Honorary Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, celebrating his five-decade career in cinema.
2025: Moncler's "Warmer Together" Fashion Campaign
In 2025, De Niro appeared alongside Al Pacino in Moncler's "Warmer Together" fashion campaign.
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