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 and film producer, widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential actors of his generation. His distinguished career has earned him numerous awards, including two Academy Awards and a Golden Globe. He has also received prestigious lifetime achievement awards such as the AFI Life Achievement Award, the Kennedy Center Honors, the Cecil B. DeMille Award, and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. In 2016, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama, solidifying his significant contributions to the world of entertainment.
1973: Release of 'Bang the Drum Slowly' and 'Mean Streets'
In 1973, Robert De Niro starred in 'Bang the Drum Slowly' and 'Mean Streets', which were critically acclaimed films.
1974: Release of 'The Godfather Part II'
In 1974, Robert De Niro appeared in 'The Godfather Part II', which was a critically acclaimed film.
1976: Release of 'Taxi Driver'
In 1976, Robert De Niro starred in 'Taxi Driver', a critically acclaimed film.
1978: Release of 'The Deer Hunter'
In 1978, Robert De Niro starred in 'The Deer Hunter', which was a critically acclaimed film.
1980: Release of 'Raging Bull'
In 1980, Robert De Niro starred in 'Raging Bull', which was a critically acclaimed film.
1983: Release of 'The King of Comedy'
In 1983, Robert De Niro starred in 'The King of Comedy', which was a critically acclaimed film.
1984: Release of 'Once Upon a Time in America'
In 1984, Robert De Niro starred in 'Once Upon a Time in America', which was a critically acclaimed film.
1985: Release of 'Brazil'
In 1985, Robert De Niro starred in 'Brazil', which was a critically acclaimed film.
1986: Release of 'The Mission'
In 1986, Robert De Niro starred in 'The Mission', which was a critically acclaimed film.
1988: Release of 'Midnight Run'
In 1988, Robert De Niro starred in 'Midnight Run', which was a critically acclaimed film.
1989: Co-founded TriBeCa Productions
In 1989, Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal co-founded the film production company TriBeCa Productions.
1990: Release of 'Goodfellas'
In 1990, Robert De Niro starred in 'Goodfellas', which was a critically acclaimed film.
1995: Minor roles in One Hundred and One Nights and Panther
In 1995, Robert De Niro played minor roles in the French comedy film *One Hundred and One Nights* and the drama film *Panther*.
1996: Starring roles and producing in multiple films and a video game release
In 1996, Robert De Niro starred in *The Fan*, *Sleepers*, *Marvin's Room*, co-produced *Faithful* and a video game called *9: The Last Resort* produced by De Niro was released.
1997: Robert De Niro starred in Cop Land
In 1997, Robert De Niro starred alongside Sylvester Stallone in the film Cop Land.
1997: Starring in Cop Land and Wag the Dog
In 1997, Robert De Niro starred in *Cop Land* as Internal Affairs investigator Lt. Moe Tilden and co-starred and co-produced *Wag the Dog*, a political satire.
1998: Appearances in Great Expectations and Ronin
In 1998, Robert De Niro appeared in *Great Expectations*, a modern adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel, and starred in *Ronin* as Sam, an American mercenary.
1998: Lobbied against Clinton's impeachment
In 1998, Robert De Niro lobbied U.S. Congress against impeaching President Bill Clinton.
1999: Roles in Analyze This and Flawless
In 1999, Robert De Niro starred in *Analyze This* as an insecure mob boss, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor, and appeared in *Flawless* as a homophobic police officer.
2000: Starring in The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle, Men of Honor and Meet the Parents
In 2000, Robert De Niro produced and starred in *The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle*, voiced Master Chief 'Billy' Sunday in *Men of Honor*, and starred in *Meet the Parents* opposite Ben Stiller. *Meet the Parents* marked De Niro's transition to comedy roles.
2000: Release of 'Meet the Parents'
In 2000, Robert De Niro starred in 'Meet the Parents', which was a critically acclaimed film.
2001: Roles in 15 Minutes and The Score
In 2001, Robert De Niro starred in the crime thriller *15 Minutes* as a homicide detective and in *The Score* as a retiring thief.
2002: Roles in City by the Sea and Analyze That, and Producing About a Boy
In 2002, Robert De Niro collaborated in *City by the Sea*, starred in *Analyze That*, and served as a producer for *About a Boy*.
2004: Roles in Godsend, Shark Tale, Meet the Fockers and The Bridge of San Luis Rey
In 2004, Robert De Niro starred in *Godsend*, voiced a character in *Shark Tale*, reprised his role in *Meet the Fockers*, and starred in *The Bridge of San Luis Rey*. *Godsend* was his poorest-performing work as of 2020.
2005: Starring in Hide and Seek
In 2005, Robert De Niro starred in the horror film *Hide and Seek* opposite Dakota Fanning, playing Dr. David Callaway.
2006: Directing The Good Shepherd and voicing a character in Arthur and the Invisibles
In 2006, Robert De Niro directed and starred in *The Good Shepherd*, a spy thriller about the CIA's formative years, and voiced Emperor Sifrat XVI in *Arthur and the Invisibles*.
2006: Donated film-related materials to the Harry Ransom Center
In 2006, Robert De Niro donated his collection of film-related materials to the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin.
2007: Stardust release
In 2007, Robert De Niro's sole project was Matthew Vaughn's *Stardust*, a fantasy adventure film based on Neil Gaiman's novel. De Niro played Captain Shakespeare.
2008: Starring in Righteous Kill and What Just Happened
In 2008, Robert De Niro starred in the police thriller *Righteous Kill* opposite Al Pacino and in the satirical comedy *What Just Happened*, screened at the Cannes Film Festival.
2009: Starring in Everybody's Fine
In 2009, Robert De Niro was cast as Frank Goode in the drama *Everybody's Fine*, a remake of an Italian film.
2010: Appearances in Machete, Stone, and Little Fockers
In 2010, Robert De Niro had a minor role in *Machete*, starred in *Stone* opposite Milla Jovovich and Edward Norton, and starred in *Little Fockers*, the second sequel to *Meet the Parents*.
2011: Roles in Manuale d'amore 3, Killer Elite, Limitless, and New Year's Eve, and Cannes Film Festival jury president
In 2011, Robert De Niro starred in *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.
2011: Attendance at Cannes Film Festival
In 2011, Robert De Niro traveled to France for the Cannes Film Festival despite previously stating he would not return to France.
2012: Silver Linings Playbook Release and Executive Producer for NYC 22
In 2012, Robert De Niro appeared in Silver Linings Playbook as the father of Pat Solatano and served as an executive producer for the television series NYC 22.
2012: Joined Artists Against Fracking
In 2012, Robert De Niro joined the anti-fracking campaign Artists Against Fracking.
2012: Release of 'Silver Linings Playbook'
In 2012, Robert De Niro starred in 'Silver Linings Playbook', which was a critically acclaimed film.
2012: Starring in Being Flynn, Red Lights and Freelancers
In 2012, Robert De Niro starred in the drama *Being Flynn*, based on the memoir *Another Bullshit Night in Suck City*, and also appeared in the thrillers *Red Lights* and *Freelancers*.
2013: Roles in The Big Wedding, Killing Season, The Family, Last Vegas, and Grudge Match
In 2013, Robert De Niro starred in The Big Wedding, Killing Season, and The Family, which received negative responses, and Last Vegas, which garnered some respectable reviews. Additionally, he starred in Grudge Match with Sylvester Stallone and The Bag Man.
2014: Robert De Niro appeared in Remembering the Artist Robert De Niro Sr.
In 2014, Robert De Niro appeared in Remembering the Artist Robert De Niro Sr., a documentary about his father, which aired on HBO.
2015: Appeared in The Audition, Ellis, Heist, and Joy
In 2015, Robert De Niro appeared in two short films: Scorsese's The Audition and JR's Ellis. He also starred in Heist and the biographical drama Joy.
2015: Starred in The Intern
In 2015, Robert De Niro starred in Nancy Meyers' comedy The Intern alongside Anne Hathaway.
2016: Starred in Dirty Grandpa, Hands of Stone, and The Comedian
In 2016, Robert De Niro co-starred in Dirty Grandpa, appeared in Hands of Stone, and his last release of the year was The Comedian, which premiered at the AFI Fest.
2016: Defense and Withdrawal of 'Vaxxed' from Tribeca Film Festival
In 2016, Robert De Niro initially defended the inclusion of the controversial documentary 'Vaxxed' at the Tribeca Film Festival, citing his personal experience with his autistic son, Elliot, as the reason for his interest. However, the film was later withdrawn from the festival schedule after consultations with festival organizers and the scientific community.
February 2017: Joint Presentation on Vaccine Safety Concerns
In February 2017, Robert De Niro participated in a joint presentation with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to discuss their concerns regarding vaccine safety. De Niro clarified that he is not anti-vaccination but questions the efficacy of vaccines.
2017: Starred in The Wizard of Lies
In 2017, Robert De Niro starred as Bernie Madoff in Barry Levinson's HBO film The Wizard of Lies, earning him critical praise and an Emmy nomination.
2019: Starred in Joker and The Irishman
In 2019, Robert De Niro played Murray Franklin in Joker and reunited with Scorsese for The Irishman, which received critical acclaim.
2019: Release of 'The Irishman'
In 2019, Robert De Niro starred in 'The Irishman', which was a critically acclaimed film.
2019: Portrayal of Robert Mueller on Saturday Night Live and Emmy Nomination
In 2019, Robert De Niro won acclaim for portraying Robert Mueller on Saturday Night Live, earning him an Emmy nomination. He also received an Emmy nomination for his work as a producer on When They See Us.
September 2020: Appeared in Father of the Bride Part 3(ish)
In September 2020, Robert De Niro appeared in Nancy Meyers' comedy short film Father of the Bride Part 3(ish).
2020: Godsend poorest performing film
As of 2020, Robert De Niro's 2004 film *Godsend* is considered to be his poorest performing film.
January 2021: De Niro signed on for Amsterdam
In January 2021, Robert De Niro signed on for the historical comedy Amsterdam, playing an army veteran.
August 2022: Signed on to star in The Alto Knights
In August 2022, Robert De Niro signed on to star in the Warner Bros. mob drama The Alto Knights, directed by Barry Levinson.
October 2022: Release of Amsterdam
In October 2022, Amsterdam was released, featuring Robert De Niro in the ensemble cast.
December 2, 2022: Release of Savage Salvation
Robert De Niro appeared in Savage Salvation as Sheriff Church, which was released on December 2, 2022.
March 1, 2023: Announced to produce and star in Zero Day
On March 1, 2023, it was announced that Robert De Niro will produce and star in the six-episode limited series Zero Day for Netflix.
2023: Appeared in About My Father and Nada, and premiered Ezra at Toronto International Film Festival
In 2023, Robert De Niro appeared in the comedy About My Father, the television series Nada, and the film Ezra premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
2023: Played William King Hale in Killers of the Flower Moon
In 2023, Robert De Niro played William King Hale in Killers of the Flower Moon, directed by Scorsese, receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
2023: Release of 'Killers of the Flower Moon'
In 2023, Robert De Niro starred in 'Killers of the Flower Moon', which was a critically acclaimed film.
2024: Ezra theatrical release
In 2024, the film Ezra, starring Robert De Niro, is set for theatrical release after being acquired by Bleecker Street.
2025: Zero Day premiere
In 2025, the limited series Zero Day, produced and starring Robert De Niro, is scheduled to premiere.
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