Considered one of the greatest actors of all time, Robert De Niro has made unforgettable contributions to the cinema world. De Niro’s ability to adapt to many different types of characters found in the vast world of gangster movies is what makes him impactful and memorable for this genre. As a legend in the film industry, it’s impossible not to be impressed by the overwhelming amount of different characters De Niro has portrayed and achieved critical acclaim. America Domani has put together a shortlist of his most memorable moments on screen.
Mean Streets (1973)
De Niro made his first impactful performance in the gangster genre with Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets in 1973. The story follows Italian Americans Charlie Cappa and John "Johnny Boy" Civello (played by Robert De Niro) as they navigate the wiseguy community in New York City’s Little Italy. De Niro won the National Society of Film Critics and the New York Film Critics Circle award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as "Johnny Boy" Civello.
The Godfather Part II (1974)
It is rare for a sequel to surpass its predecessor. While Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather is considered a masterpiece, The Godfather Part II stands as one of the greatest cinematic events of all time. Adult Vito Corleone was played by Robert De Niro, who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Taxi Driver (1976)
Martin Scorcese’s classic thriller Taxi Driver is one of the most iconic collaborations between De Niro and Scorcese. The film received critical acclaim and the hard-hitting yet compelling masterpiece even seeped its way into pop culture. De Niro’s infamous line, “You talkin’ to me?” instantly became one of the most memorable lines in film history.
Raging Bull (1980)
Thought to be one of Martin Scorcese’s best films of the 1980s, Raging Bull is a boxing movie that is traditionally about redemption and the comeback of the underdog. The film is an adaptation of former boxing champion Jake LaMotta's 1970 memoir Raging Bull: My Story. It follows the career of LaMotta, played by De Niro, his rise and fall in the world of boxing, and his turbulent personal life crippled by rage and jealousy.
Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
The four-hour crime epic is a 1984 film co-written and directed by Italian filmmaker Sergio Leone, and stars Robert De Niro and James Woods. The film explores childhood friendships, love, lust, greed, betrayal, and loss with the rise of mobsters in American society.
A Bronx Tale (1993)
Robert De Niro’s directorial debut came in 1993 with the release of A Bronx Tale, an American coming-of-age crime drama film also starring the legendary actor. An Italian American boy from the Bronx is torn between the allure of organized crime and the values of his honest, hardworking father, played by De Niro, as well as race issues within his community. De Niro adapted Chazz Palminteri’s 1989 play, A Bronx Tale, into his directorial debut and the two actors worked closely together on the screenplay.
AJ Forrisi
Assistant Editor for America Domani, AJ Forrisi is a Brooklyn-based writer and photographer. His work focuses on food, travel, sports, landscapes, and urban scenes. You can find him on Instagram @aj.photo.works.