Actor Robert De Niro was born on August 17, 1943, in New York, USA. His parents divorced when he was two years old, and he was raised by his mother. He studied acting at the Stella Adler Conservatory Acting and the prestigious Actors Studio, and as an adult, he performed off-Broadway. His talent was eventually discovered by film director Brian De Palma, who cast him in the lead role in the 1968 film "Blue Manhattan II." He continued to build his acting career, moving between the film and theater worlds. In 1973, he appeared in Martin Scorsese's "Mean Streets." He brilliantly portrayed a young man whose reckless behavior overwhelms those around him, winning him the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor. De Niro continued to appear in Scorsese's films, winning numerous awards and nominations, including an Academy Award for Best Actor, for his role in 1976's Taxi Driver. His denim and military jacket look from that film is still featured in many men's fashion magazines today. For his role in 1980's Raging Bull, he gained over 20kg during filming to portray both a boxer during his active and retired years, ultimately winning him the Academy Award for Best Actor.

De Niro went on to appear in numerous hit films, including Goodfellas and Analyze Me. He also directed the 1993 film A Bronx Tale. Since 2002, he has hosted the Tribeca Film Festival, helping to turn it into one of New York's leading film festivals. In his personal life, he married actress Diahnne Abbott in 1976. They had one child together, but divorced in 1988. He later remarried model Toukie Smith and actress Grace Hightower. He is also known for being a fan of COMME des GARÇONS.