Leonardo DiCaprio Holds Robert De Niro in High Esteem, Thanks to His Father's Recommendation
During the Screen Actors Guild annual ceremony in 2020, when Leonardo DiCaprio presented the Life Achievement Award, he reminisced about a memorable moment from his childhood. At the age of 13, DiCaprio's father took him to the cinema to watch "Midnight Run." It was during this movie that his father pointed at the screen and imparted a significant piece of advice:
"If you truly aspire to be an actor and enter this profession, if you wish to grasp the essence of great acting, observe that man on the screen."
No, he wasn't referring to Charles Grodin; he was, in fact, referring to the actor being honored that very night for his illustrious career—Robert De Niro. A few years later, after that transformative visit to the cinema, DiCaprio found himself starring alongside the renowned actor in the film "This Boy's Life." This opportunity marked a major breakthrough for the young teenager, following his previous roles in "Critters 3" and "Poison Ivy." In the movie, he more than held his own against the two-time Oscar winner, portraying a young man enduring mistreatment from his mother's abusive new husband.
Leonardo DiCaprio Takes Over as Martin Scorsese's Leading Man, Surpassing Robert De Niro
The collaboration between Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro has long been hailed as one of the most remarkable director-actor partnerships in American cinema. From the iconic entrance in "Mean Streets" to a total of eight shared films, their creative synergy has been nothing short of magic. However, a shift occurred when Leonardo DiCaprio emerged as Scorsese's new muse, eventually surpassing De Niro in prominence.
In 1993, DiCaprio garnered critical acclaim, receiving Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actor for his remarkable portrayal in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?" Although his performance depicting autism is still recognized as a significant achievement, the ongoing discussion about appropriate representation raises questions about the casting of able-bodied actors in such roles today. Nevertheless, DiCaprio's talent was undeniable, and by the end of the 1990s, he had risen to become one of Hollywood's brightest stars following the success of "Romeo + Juliet" and "Titanic."
It was no surprise that bigger opportunities awaited DiCaprio, including the lead role in Martin Scorsese's "Gangs of New York." Undoubtedly, Scorsese had already taken notice of DiCaprio's potential, and the recommendation from his previous collaborator, Robert De Niro, may have also played a part in the director's decision to cast him. Thus, a new era began, as DiCaprio assumed the position of Scorsese's favored actor, surpassing even the legendary Robert De Niro.
Scorsese and De Niro: A Legendary Partnership Filled with Memorable Hits
The collaboration between Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro has been a remarkable journey, although not without a few bumps along the way. While their partnership has produced some of cinema's most iconic and unforgettable moments, not every film was a resounding success. "New York, New York" received mixed reviews, and "The King of Comedy" initially faltered at the box office, only gaining recognition as a Scorsese classic after critical reappraisal.
However, despite these occasional missteps, the Scorsese-De Niro duo has gifted De Niro with some of his most unforgettable roles. From the haunting Travis Bickle in "Taxi Driver" to the captivating Jimmy Conway in "Goodfellas," De Niro's performances under Scorsese's direction have solidified his status as one of the industry's finest actors. It was with "Raging Bull" that De Niro achieved his only Best Actor Oscar, a testament to the power of their creative collaboration.
After their film "Casino" in 1995, the pair took a 24-year hiatus, apart from their memorable onscreen meeting in the promotional short film "The Audition." Coincidentally, 1995 was also the year De Niro had his iconic coffee sit-down with Al Pacino in "Heat," marking a historic moment as two of their generation's most gifted actors shared the screen for the first time. When De Niro and Scorsese finally reunited, it was alongside Pacino once again in "The Irishman." The film served as a triumphant return to form for both actors, reminding audiences why their collective talent is held in such high regard.
De Niro's Early Endorsement: DiCaprio Becomes Scorsese's New Muse
In the early 2000s, Robert De Niro's career had taken a downturn, with his roles failing to match the heights of his earlier successes. While he delivered a standout performance in "Silver Linings Playbook," there were several disappointments like "Showtime" and "Dirty Grandpa." During this time, Leonardo DiCaprio emerged as Martin Scorsese's new muse, showcasing his remarkable talent in a string of films.
Interestingly, it was De Niro who first recognized DiCaprio's potential a decade prior while they were working together on "This Boy's Life." Scorsese shared that De Niro had recommended the young actor to him during a phone conversation, saying, "You must work with him sometime. The kid is really good." This marked the first time De Niro had ever recommended someone to Scorsese, and it left a lasting impression.
However, DiCaprio's initial collaboration with Scorsese in "Gangs of New York" didn't receive the expected acclaim. Some felt that the actor struggled to find his footing amidst the film's sprawling chaos, hindered by an imperfect Irish accent and overshadowed by Daniel Day-Lewis's captivating performance. It seemed that the project arrived a little too early in DiCaprio's career. Nevertheless, he quickly settled into his role as Scorsese's go-to leading actor, starring in four more features together, and their partnership continues with the highly anticipated "Killers of the Flower Moon," marking a reunion with De Niro onscreen after three decades.
The Long-Awaited Reunion: De Niro and DiCaprio's Onscreen Encounter
The reunion of Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio onscreen has been a highly anticipated event, but it could have taken place much earlier. Martin Scorsese had approached De Niro with the offer to play Bill the Butcher in "Gangs of New York," but the actor wasn't interested. Similarly, he was offered a role in "The Departed," but once again, De Niro declined. However, the wait is finally over with "Killers of the Flower Moon."
The prospect of seeing De Niro and DiCaprio sharing the screen once again after three decades rivals the memorable meeting of De Niro and Al Pacino in "Heat." It's interesting to note that De Niro's early recommendation of DiCaprio's talent to Scorsese may have played a pivotal role in creating this anticipation. In a twist of fate, we owe De Niro's tip-off about DiCaprio's abilities for the excitement surrounding this long-awaited cinematic event.
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