Born in New York City; educated at Rhodes School (NYC), High School of Music and Art (NYC); trained for the stage by Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg. He appeared in off-Broadway productions and with touring companies before entering films in the late 60s. He gave interesting characterizations in several low-budget Brian De Palma films but attracted litte attention until 1973, when he etched a sensitive portrayal of a dying baseball player in John Hancock's BANG THE DRUM SLOWLY and gave an incisive performance as a simple-minded smalltime hood in Martin Scosese's MEAN STREETS. His performance in the latter began an ongoing relationship between the actor and director, each highlighting the other's portrayal of Italian-American life on the edge. He topped his Academy Award-winning performance in THE GODFATHER, PART II (1974) with a memorable performance in 1976 in the role of a psychotic cabbie alienated by the moral and physical squalor of New York in Scorsese's TAXI DRIVER, affirming his position as one of the finest American actors of the 70s. He was again nominated for an Oscar® for THE DEER HUNTER (1978) and won a second Academy Award, this time as Best Actor, for his portrait of boxer Jake La Motta in Scorsese's RAGING BULL (1980). He shared the Best Actor prize at the Venice Film Festival for TRUE CONFESSIONS (1981). An intense, perceptive performer, he remained a forceful figure on the American screen in the 80s and 90s, in a variety of roles ranging from a blank, violent Mafia kingpin in Scorsese's GOODFELLAS (1990) to a softhearted bounty hunter in MIDNIGHT RUN (1988). Today, he is widely regarded as one of the finest film actors of his generation. De Niro continued to be busy into the 1990s and beyond. Later credits include BACKDRAFT (1991), NIGHT AND THE CITY (1992), MAD DOG AND GLORY, THIS BOY'S LIFE and A BRONX TALE (all 1993), MARY SHELLEY'S FRANKENSTEIN (1994), CASINO and HEAT (both 1995), THE FAN, SLEEPERS and MARVIN'S ROOM (all 1996), COP LAND, WAG THE DOG and JACKIE BROWN (all 1997), GREAT EXPECTATIONS and RONIN (both 1998), ANALYZE THIS and FLAWLESS (both 1999), MEN OF HONOR, THE ADVENTURES OF ROCKY & BULLWINKLE, MEN OF HONOR and MEET THE PARENTS (all 2000), 15 MINUTES and THE SCORE (both 2001), SHOWTIME, CITY BY THE SEA and ANALYZE THAT (all 2002), MEET THE FOCKERS (also producer), GODSEND, SHARK TALE (voice) and THE BRIDGE OF SAN LUIS REY (all 2004), HIDE AND SEEK (2005), THE GOOD SHEPHERD (2006, also producer & director), STARDUST (2007), and WHAT JUST HAPPENED?, SUGARLAND, FRANKIE MACHINE, FIRST MAN and RIGHTEOUS KILL (all in pre-production for 2008). His company, Tribeca Films, and New York production facility, Tribeca Film Center, have stimulated filmmaking in the city. He made his directorial debut with A BRONX TALE (1993). He was married (1976-88) to actress Diahnne Abbott. His wife since 1997 is Grace Hightower.  Supporting Actor 1974: THE GODFATHER, PART II  Nominated for Actor 1976: TAXI DRIVER  Nominated for Actor 1978: THE DEER HUNTER  Actor 1980: RAGING BULL  Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role 1990: AWAKENINGS  Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role 1991: CAPE FEAR 6 nominations, 2 Awards