Any De Niro fans out there? Anyone ever met/seen him in the flesh?

Big fan, never met him. I think he is a really great actor, particularly loved the last film with Pacino (and yes, I’m an even bigger Pacino fan).

I have a friend that looks a lot like him, does that count?

Yes. I had a production coordinator job on an indie film that rented offices at Tribeca Film Center – wow, over a decade ago! Anyway, I saw him every day, because he owns the building. He gave me the once over a couple of times and at the end of my last day on the job, he hailed me a cab. DeNiro’s cousin would always come to visit every one telling them he could do catering or craft service for their film. No one ever took him up on it. During my time there, I also saw Annie Leibovitz do that Harvey Weinstein shoot for Vanity Fair. Harvey’s a big dude.

Tribeca Film Center was a block from where JFK Jr and Mrs used to live. I saw him a lot, too, when I took a break from the job. Even if he had a suit on, dude was riding his pale green Bianchi. I rarely saw him without that bike. He was always being stopped by little old ladies who wanted to talk to him about his parents. Once while some old dear rattled on, our eyes met; he rolled his and I smirked in solidarity. I was shocked when he died the following year.

I’m a big fan.

I like DeNiro movies a lot but I think, as an actor, he’s the same character in all of his movies. Much like Joe Pesci.

@aprilsimnel – wow! you lucky thing.

One of the greatest actors ever in my books.

However, the last movie with Pacino was disappointing, to say the least.

These two huge, huge icons together in one movie, but the script was so hosed that even in 1995 Heat the had more chemistry, despite only having about 5 minutes of shared screen-time.

I’m a big DeNiro fan! also soooooo jealous of aprilsimnel!!

TaoSan, I agree – that short time together in Heat – memorable! The recent film together, disappointing.

I also like DeNiro, but his onscreen persona is so formidable, I’m not sure I would do more than nod and move on…

“Are you talking to me? Are you talking to me???”

@Siren

omg Taxi Driver. That was amazing.

@Siren – My experience of him was that he’s very quiet and unassuming. A lot of actors are rather shy in person.

@TaoSan – Yes, first thing that comes to mind (his catchphrase?).

@Aprilsimnel – I bet he is shy and unassuming in real life. He can’t be angry and confrontational all the time ;) jk

@Siren – Ooh, some people, though. What I wouldn’t have given to have a 2X4 handy for some of them…!