Robert de Niro Reveals Which Performance He Considers Awful

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Robert De Niro is known as one of the most dedicated actors in film history, but he’s also known for being critical of those he feels don’t meet his standards. He first gained recognition in the late 1960s, but the 1970s truly cemented his reputation, largely through his iconic collaborations with director Martin Scorsese, beginning with the 1973 film Mean Streets.

This period saw a string of impressive performances, including The Godfather: Part II and the unforgettable Taxi Driver, where his portrayal of Travis Bickle became a defining moment in pop culture. Surprisingly, despite his early successes, De Niro has often cited the 2009 family drama Everybody’s Fine as his personal favorite role.

However, his strong dedication to certain characters is clear, especially his powerful performance as Al Capone in the 1987 film The Untouchables. De Niro was captivated by the larger-than-life nature of the character and only agreed to play the notorious gangster if the script was perfectly written, a condition he made clear to director Brian De Palma.

In an interview with Playboy, actor Robert De Niro famously criticized Paul Muni’s performance in the original 1932 film Scarface, a role based on Al Capone. De Niro didn’t mince words, calling Muni’s performance “awful” and describing him as an overly dramatic actor. He felt Muni’s experience as a stage performer didn’t translate well to film, making his acting too exaggerated for the screen.

The conversation turned to Al Pacino’s famous 1983 film, Scarface, and Robert De Niro’s demeanor shifted, showing clear professional respect. He shared that he’d actually considered remaking the movie himself with Martin Scorsese directing, but learned Pacino was already planning one. De Niro remembered telling his friend, essentially, that he would take on the project if Pacino didn’t, although his version would have been more faithful to the original story and less focused on the flashy Miami setting that Brian De Palma ultimately chose.

At 82 years old, Robert De Niro continues to thrive, recently finding success on streaming services. His 2025 crime drama, The Alto Knights, has become a hit despite a difficult start in theaters. In the film, he impressively played two competing mob leaders, Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, giving each character a unique personality, set of behaviors, and voice. This showcases the dedication he’s brought to his sixty-year career.

De Niro is also finding new opportunities on television. He recently starred in the Netflix political thriller Zero Day, where he plays a former U.S. President investigating a major cyberattack, alongside Jesse Plemons and Lizzy Caplan. Apple TV+ has also announced that a reimagining of Cape Fear will premiere in June.

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2026-02-13 17:45