Robert De Niro
- Born: 17 Aug, 1943
One of the most gifted actors of his generation, and often regarded as heir to Marlon Brando's legacy, Robert De Niro has combined the qualities of exceptional movie actorsdanger, unpredictability, magnetismwith a distinctive touch of nihilism. The son of abstract expressionist artist Robert De Niro and painter Virginia Admiral, he studied drama with Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg, and appeared in several off-Broadway productions early in his career. De Niro's first on-screen appearances were in films directed by Brian De Palma: his roles in "Greetings" (1968), "The Wedding Party" (1969) and "Hi, Mom!" (1970) hinted at the defiance and irreverence which later defined his work. Glimpses of later signature characteristics were also visible in his portrayals of a...
FAMILY & COMPANIONS
- father Robert De Niro: separated from De Niro's mother when the actor was two; died on May 3, 1993 at age 71
- mother Virginia Admiral: separated from De Niro's father when the actor was two; died on July 27, 2000
- daughter Drena De Niro: mother, Diahnne Abbott, from her first marriage; adopted by De Niro
- son Raphael De Niro: born c. 1976; mother, Diahnne Abbott
- son Aaron Kendrick De Niro: born on October 20, 1995 via surrogate mother; twin of Julian; mother, Toukie Smith
- son Julian Henry De Niro: born on October 20, 1995 via surrogate mother; twin of Aaron; mother, Toukie Smith
- son Elliott De Niro: born on March 18, 1998; mother, Grace Hightower
- Leigh Taylor-Young: had relationship during filming of "The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight" (1971)
- wife Diahnne Abbott: married in the spring of 1976; divorced in 1988; singer with band One Love; met on the set of "Taxi Driver" (1976); she played a small role as a cinema cashier; also acted together in "The King of Comedy" (1983)
- Toukie Smith: born c. 1954; sister of late fashion designer Willi Smith; mother of twin boys born via surrogate
- Naomi Campbell: became engaged to musician Adam Clayton in May 1993; no longer together
- wife Grace Hightower: born c. 1954; met c. 1995; became engaged in May 1996; married on June 17, 1997; De Niro filed for divorced on August 2, 1999; reportedly reconciled in 2000; separated again in late fall 2000
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