Robert De Niro, born in 1943 in Nova York, established himself as one of the greatest actors in the history of cinema through intense performances and the total immersion method.
At age 82 in 2025, he remains active with ongoing projects, such as films scheduled for 2026 and recent series on Netflix.
His career went through phases of critical peak and more commercial choices, but his talent remains evident in works with renowned directors.
From Niro he began his career in smaller roles in the 1960s and 1970s, in independent and low-budget films.
He has worked with directors such as Brian De Palma on productions such as Greetings and Hi, Mom!.
These early experiences served as the basis for developing deep acting techniques.
- Early collaborations included Roger Corman on Bloody Mama.
- Dark roles helped refine the ability to transform into complex characters.
Partnership with Martin Scorsese
Collaboration with Martin Scorsese marked the beginning of widespread recognition for De Niro.
The 1973 film Mean Streets presented an actor capable of conveying chaos and intensity.
In O Poderoso Chefão Parte II, from 1974, De Niro played the young Vito Corleone and won the Oscar for best supporting actor.
Taxi Driver, from 1976, consolidated the image of De Niro as an interpreter of disturbed characters.
He drove real taxis in Nova York, lost weight and studied mental disorders for the role of Travis Bickle.
The mirror monologue has become iconic in popular culture.
Extreme physical transformations
From Niro he adopted radical physical transformations in various roles.
In 1980’s Touro Indomável, he trained as a professional boxer, fought in real rings and gained 27 pounds to portray an aging Jake LaMotta.
This dedication earned him the second Oscar, for best actor.
In O Franco Atirador, from 1978, he faced demanding filming conditions to show the effects of war trauma.
- Roles in Goodfellas (1990) and Cassino (1995) reinforced his versatility in crime dramas.
- Cape Fear (1991) highlighted a menacing villain.
- Heat (1995) pitted De Niro against Al Pacino in a memorable scene.
Exploration in comedies
Starting in the 1990s, De Niro explored the comedy genre with initial success.
An Terapia Perigosa, from 1999, and Entrando Numa Fria, from 2000, explored the contrast between his harsh image and absurd situations.
These films achieved high box office sales.
Sequels and other comedic projects followed, but some received criticism for repetition.
De Niro balanced comedies with dramas, as in O Lado Bom da Vida, from 2012, which earned a nomination for Oscar.
Recent work and projects
In recent years, De Niro has returned to prestigious collaborations.
In Coringa, 2019, and O Irlandês, 2019, both with Scorsese, he delivered praised performances.
Killers of the Flower Moon, from 2023, showed a subtle villain.
In 2025, he starred in the series Zero Day on Netflix and the film The Alto Knights, with a double role as mobsters.
Projects in post-production include The Whisper Man and Mr. Natural.
From Niro he received the honorary Palma from Ouro in Festival from Cannes in 2025.
Legacy in acting
De Niro’s career spans more than 120 films.
He influenced generations of actors with his intense preparation method.
Critics point out that commercial choices diluted part of the impact in certain phases.
Performances on challenging projects keep the standard high.
De Niro continues to be active and involved in a variety of productions at the age of 82.
