Childhood and Education Journey of Robert De Niro in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Robert De Niro. A timeline of key moments.

Robert De Niro is a highly acclaimed American actor, director, 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 and a Golden Globe. De Niro's contributions have been recognized with prestigious honors such as the AFI Life Achievement Award, Kennedy Center Honors, Cecil B. DeMille Award, Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, marking him as a significant figure in the world of cinema.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1950: Release of Original Night and the City film

In 1950, the original film noir "Night and the City", which was later remade starring Robert De Niro, was released.

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1955: Start of the timeline of the movie Goodfellas

In 1955, the movie Goodfellas starring Robert De Niro begins, and lasts until 1980.

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1955: Original We're No Angels film

In 1955, the original film "We're No Angels", which was later remade starring Robert De Niro, was released.

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1962: Release of Original Cape Fear film

In 1962, the original film "Cape Fear", which was later remade starring Robert De Niro, was released.

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1969: Discovery of L-Dopa benefits

In 1969, as depicted in the film "Awakenings" starring Robert De Niro, Dr. Malcolm Sayer discovers the benefits of the drug L-Dopa.

1973: Publication of Awakenings by Oliver Sacks

In 1973, Oliver Sacks published the book "Awakenings", which served as the basis for the film starring Robert De Niro.

Awakenings

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1976: Marriage to Diahnne Abbott

In 1976, Robert De Niro married actress Diahnne Abbott. They have a son, Raphael, and De Niro adopted Abbott's daughter Drena.

1977: Publication of True Confessions

In 1977, the novel "True Confessions" by John Gregory Dunne, on which the film starring Robert De Niro was based, was published.

True Confessions: A Novel

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1978: Publication of Falling Angel

In 1978, the novel "Falling Angel" by William Hjortsberg, on which the film Angel Heart starring Robert De Niro was based, was published.

Falling Angel (The Falling Angel Novels)

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1980: Timeline of Goodfellas

The events in Goodfellas, starring Robert De Niro, spanned from 1955 to 1980, depicting the life of mob associate Henry Hill.

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1984: "Robert De Niro's Waiting..." Reached Third Place

In 1984, the English girl group Bananarama's fan song "Robert De Niro's Waiting..." reached the third place of the UK Singles Chart.

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1985: Publication of Wiseguy

In 1985, Nicholas Pileggi's non-fiction book "Wiseguy", which served as the basis for the movie "Goodfellas" starring Robert De Niro, was published.

Wiseguy

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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: Divorce from Diahnne Abbott and Relationship with Toukie Smith

In 1988, Robert De Niro divorced Diahnne Abbott. Afterwards, he was in a relationship with model Toukie Smith.

1989: Investing in Tribeca

Since 1989, Robert De Niro has been investing in Manhattan's Tribeca neighborhood.

1990: Opening of Tribeca Grill

In 1990, Robert De Niro co-opened Tribeca Grill in Tribeca, Manhattan.

1995: Birth of Twins with Toukie Smith via Surrogate

In 1995, Robert De Niro and Toukie Smith had twins, son Julian and daughter Airyn, conceived by in vitro fertilization and delivered by a surrogate mother.

1996: End of Relationship with Toukie Smith

In 1996, Robert De Niro's relationship with model Toukie Smith ended.

1997: Marriage to Grace Hightower

In 1997, Robert De Niro married actress Grace Hightower.

January 1998: 'Clinton-Lewinsky scandal'

In January 1998, a month after the release of Wag the Dog, the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal dominated the headlines, which helped the film generate publicity.

1998: Birth of Son Elliot

In 1998, Robert De Niro and Grace Hightower's son, Elliot, was born.

1998: Lobbying Against Impeachment

In 1998, Robert De Niro lobbied U.S. Congress against impeaching President Bill Clinton.

1999: Initial Split from Grace Hightower

In 1999, Robert De Niro and Grace Hightower initially split.

October 2003: Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer

In October 2003, Robert De Niro was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

December 2003: Undergoing Surgery for Prostate Cancer

In December 2003, Robert De Niro underwent surgery for prostate cancer at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

2004: Renewal of Vows with Grace Hightower

In 2004, Robert De Niro and Grace Hightower renewed their vows.

2004: Publication of I Heard You Paint Houses

In 2004, the book I Heard You Paint Houses by Charles Brandt, which served as the source material for the movie The Irishman, was published.

I Heard You Paint Houses

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2006: Receiving Italian Citizenship

In 2006, Robert De Niro received Italian citizenship, despite opposition by the Sons of Italy.

December 2011: Birth of Daughter Helen via Surrogate

In December 2011, Robert De Niro and Grace Hightower's daughter Helen was born via surrogate.

2012: Joining Anti-Fracking Campaign

In 2012, Robert De Niro joined the anti-fracking campaign Artists Against Fracking.

2013: Attendance at Shimon Peres's Celebration

In 2013, Robert De Niro attended Israeli President Shimon Peres's 90th birthday celebration and the Israeli Presidential conference, praising Peres as "a great person, [and] a great statesman."

2013: Opening of First Nobu Hotel

In 2013, the first Nobu Hotel, co-owned by Robert De Niro, opened inside Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

2014: Move to Apartment at 15 Central Park West

In 2014, Robert De Niro and Grace Hightower moved into a 6,000-square-foot, five-bedroom apartment at 15 Central Park West.

2015: Partnership with James Packer

In 2015, Robert De Niro partnered with James Packer after Packer acquired a stake in Nobu for $100 million.

2016: Attendance at Friends of the Israel Defense Forces Gala

Later in 2016, Robert De Niro attended an annual celebrity gala for the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces in Los Angeles, which raised $38 million for the organization.

2018: Separation from Grace Hightower

In 2018, Robert De Niro and Grace Hightower separated after 20 years of marriage.

May 2020: Apple TV+ to Co-finance and Co-distribute Killers of the Flower Moon

In May 2020, Apple TV+ was announced to co-finance and co-distribute the film Killers of the Flower Moon with Paramount.

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April 19, 2021: Divorce Hearing and Financial Disputes

On April 19, 2021, Robert De Niro's lawyer argued in a virtual divorce hearing that he is "working at an unsustainable pace" to support Hightower and pay back taxes, while Hightower's lawyer claimed De Niro had been "unfairly decreasing" agreed-upon payments.

April 2023: Welcoming Seventh Child, Gia

In April 2023, Robert De Niro welcomed his seventh child, a daughter Gia, with his girlfriend Tiffany Chen.

July 2023: Death of Grandson Leandro De Niro Rodriguez

In July 2023, it was announced that Robert De Niro's grandson, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, died at age 19 due to a combined drug intoxication involving fentanyl and cocaine.

2024: Support for Joe Biden and Criticism of Donald Trump

In 2024, Robert De Niro supported President Joe Biden for re-election and backed Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign. He had previously criticized President Donald Trump, calling him a "buffoon".

2024: Withdrawal of Leadership Award

In 2024, Robert De Niro was due to receive a leadership award from the National Association of Broadcasters, before the honour was withdrawn following De Niro's criticism of Donald Trump.