With a new Netflix thriller, Robert De Niro, a well-known cinema actor for decades, makes a distinguished move to the small screen.
George Mullen, a renowned former president who investigates cyberterrorism, is played by the renowned Goodfellas actress in the six-part limited series Zero Day.
The gripping drama also features a stellar cast of A-listers and award-winners, including Jesse Plemons, Lizzy Caplan, Connie Britton, and Matthew Modine.
Fans are eager to learn more about De Niro’s off-screen life as he assumes the lead role in his debut Netflix series.
Two marriages
De Niro and Martin Scorsese collaborated on several projects during his career, starting with Diahnne Abbott in 1976. He adopted her daughter, Drena, from a previous relationship, but they divorced in 1988.
In 1997, he wed actress Grace Hightower. In 1999, they parted ways for a while before renewing their vows in 2004.
Ten years later, they moved into a 6, 000-square-foot apartment in Central Park West, New York. However, after another four years, they separated after 20 years of marriage, reports the Mirror US.
Seven children
Robert De Niro, the renowned Taxi Driver actor, has embraced fatherhood, adopting daughter Drena from Abbott and recently becoming one of the world’s oldest new dads at the age of 79.
Raphael, his father, and his parents welcomed him in 1976.
Between his two marriages, De Niro had a relationship with model Toukie Smith from 1988 to 1996, during which they had twin boys, Julian and Aaron, through IVF and a surrogate mother in 1995. He and his second wife Hightower welcomed their son Elliott in 1998 and their daughter Helen via surrogate in 2011.
His latest addition to the family is baby Gia, born in 2023 to his current partner, martial arts instructor Tiffany Chen.
Health scare
At the age of 60, De Niro was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2003, which caused him to experience a health crisis. He recovered fully from his December 2012 surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
De Niro, according to the American Cancer Society, found the diagnosis “a little jarring” but focused on staying positive and making informed decisions, crediting “regular check-ups” for catching the disease early.
Criticism of Donald Trump
A vocal Democrat, De Niro has not shied away from political commentary, supporting President Joe Biden’s re-election bid in 2024. De Niro backed Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign when Biden resigned.
He has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, famously saying “f*** ‘ em” to dissenters in a CNN interview where he stated Trump “should not be president” and called him a “gangster”.
Last year, he labelled Trump a “jerk”, “clown”, and “idiot” on Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace? on Max before his November re-election.
Yet, in a recent Guardian interview, De Niro shared that he’s “not despairing” over Trump’s potential second term. Because he said, “I always look at the bright side and hope that things will work out,” that people will show compassion and compassion, and that they will do what is right.”
” Some people look at]things] differently. They have different values. That’s disturbing to me. I don’t understand it. But I just need to have a positive outlook on the situation.
Family tragedy
Family tragedy struck De Niro in July 2023 when his grandson Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, only 19, passed away. Leandro was the son of De Niro’s adopted daughter, Drena.
His death was attributed to a lethal mix of fentanyl, cocaine, and other substances. Speaking to PEOPLE, De Niro expressed his shock:” It’s just a shock. ]I] never thought it would happen.
“And I just then began to consider everything I might have done, perhaps, with him.” I don’t know if that would’ve made a difference. And so that’s always playing through my mind”.
Zero Day is available to stream on Netflix.
