How Robert De Niro Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline
How the contributions of Robert De Niro continue to shape the world today.
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.
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."
1983: Pauline Kael's Criticism
In 1983, Pauline Kael once said that she did not like how the actor was "disfiguring" himself in films such as Raging Bull.
1984: Robert De Niro's Waiting...
In 1984, the English girl group Bananarama's fan song "Robert De Niro's Waiting..." reached the third place of the UK Singles Chart.
1997: Mean Streets Selected for Preservation
In 1997, Mean Streets was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
2003: AFI Life Achievement Award
In 2003, De Niro was honored with the AFI Life Achievement Award.
2005: Taxi Driver Chosen as One of the Best Films
In 2005, Time magazine chose the movie Taxi Driver as one of the 100 best films of all time.
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.
2007: The Deer Hunter Ranked 53rd-Greatest American Film
In 2007, the American Film Institute ranked The Deer Hunter as the 53rd-greatest American film of all time.
2009: Kennedy Center Honoree
In 2009, De Niro was announced as one of the Kennedy Center Honorees.
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.
2011: Cecil B. DeMille Award
In 2011, De Niro was honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award.
2016: Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2016, De Niro received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama.
2019: Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award
In 2019, De Niro was honored with the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.
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.
2023: Classics of American Cinema
As of 2023, six of De Niro's films have been inducted into the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
May 2025: Cannes Film Festival's Honorary Palme d'Or
In May 2025, De Niro received the Cannes Film Festival's Honorary Palme d'Or.
2025: Honorary Palme d'Or
In 2025, De Niro will be honored with the Honorary Palme d'Or.
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