RARE INTERVIEW
Robert De Niro on taking chances and industry changes
He’s the man who is more of an enigma than the Bermuda Triangle and yet, Robert De Niro has one of the most well-known faces on the planet.
He’s notoriously media shy, but has agreed to an interview, in Birmingham, England, of all places, where he did a one-off performance, An Experience with Robert De Niro to meet some of his fans.
He’s normally reluctant to do that sort of thing, but said it was, “Just something I wanted to try and was curious to see that part of the world. I mean, you get paid too, but you know, my lifestyle isn’t extravagant so it’s not about that – I’m curious, that’s all”.
He has been known to walk out of interviews if he doesn’t like the tone or person asking the questions. So you’re rather hoping, to misquote his most famous line as Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver, that “he’ll be talking to you!”
Then, suddenly, he is, jokingly saying “call him Sir Bob”, telling of how he likes British bangers and generally being as cuddly as your favourite teddy bear.
So, here he is, in his own words!
Do you like British food?
I like a banger! Yeah, I’ve had those for breakfast in England. I like the inns in England, you know − the style of furniture and that country look.
What about cooking? Are you any good?
No, I can’t cook. I appreciate fine food and good food, but I can’t cook it. At holiday times, such as Christmas, we tend to have someone in to cook.
You’ve made 102 movies (phew!), but what roles stand out for you?
I like Raging Bull, where I played the boxer Jake LaMotta. I worked hard on it, but it was a labour of love. I’ve just finished making The Irishman with Martin Scorsese, and Al Pacino and Joe Pesci, that was a long time coming and I had a great time on that too.
You and Al are both great actors. Is there any rivalry between you?
No, no no. We’ve known each other for a long, long time. We’ve been up for the same parts, sure. Al’s taught me
things that I use today. You know he always likes to have a reading of a script and I do that all the time now too.
You defined an era of great actors. Who’s the De Niro of today?
Oh well, I think there’s some wonderful young actors today. I think Leonardo DiCaprio is great, Bradley Cooper is also another. There are some even younger than them, whose names I can’t recall but who are terrific.
You’re probably one of the most famous people on the planet. What’s the worst and best thing about being so famous?
It’s okay. I walk around New York quite freely. People say hello, I say hello, maybe they want a photo. I don’t mind it. It keeps you real to talk to people. What’s “down time” for Robert De Niro?
I do stuff with my kids mostly. I always seem to have stuff to do; taking my kids to school, picking them up, taking them somewhere. I don’t watch TV much but I go to the movies. I like that.
You have six children ranging from age seven to 49. What sort of dad are you?
I hope I am a good one. I try my best all the time. I like to think we can have fun and that they can talk to me.
You starred in Dirty
Grandpa, who was a wild guy. Are you like that with your grandchildren?
I have four grandchildren and love spending time with them. Grandparents like to be with their grandkids because they don’t have direct responsibility for them. You can have all the fun and then return them!
How do you think the film industry has changed since you started out?
There’s a lot more opportunity now because there’s TV and a lot of independent film-makers. There really wasn’t that when I started out – there was TV or Hollywood films. TV now gives great opportunities. I did a TV film, The Wizard of Lies, about Bernie Madoff, and The Irishman is going out on Netflix.
You’ve made a lot of comedies in the past few years. Did you consciously want to move away from hard-man roles?
No, it was about having fun. It sort of really started with Analyse This. Billy Crystal had the script; he asked me if I’d be interested. We read it and I just thought it looked like fun. I always want to enjoy working on a movie but sometimes I just want to have fun.
For many young actors, you’re a hero. Who were your heroes?
[Marlon] Brando, Montgomery Clift, James Dean; they all inspired me. When I was asked to play the young Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II, the young Brando really, I was very excited.
Are you on Facebook or Twitter?
No! To me it’s just another distraction and I have enough of those without having to worry about that [too].
If you could meet your young self, what advice would you give yourself?
You’re lucky if you’re working! It’s important to listen to everybody and get their input, but actually you have to decide what and how to do something. That’s what leads to uniqueness. You are 75. Do you imagine you’ll ever retire?
I don’t know what else I would do other than do what I’m doing, I don’t feel older in my head. I look at myself, I’m not even used to looking at myself as being older. So I guess I'll just keep going.