USA: Robert De Niro cements his place in acting history by placing his hands and feet in concrete in front of Hollywood's historic Chinese Theater

Record ID: 570300

  • Title: USA: Robert De Niro cements his place in acting history by placing his hands and feet in concrete in front of Hollywood's historic Chinese Theater
  • Date: 4th February 2013
  • Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (FEBRUARY 04, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ACTOR ROBERT DE NIRO PLACING HIS HAND AND FOOT PRINTS IN CEMENT IN COURTYARD OF TCL CHINESE THEATRE WIDE OF AUDIENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) ACTOR AND COMEDIAN BILLY CRYSTAL, CO-STARRED WITH DE NIRO IN "ANALYZE THIS," SAYING: "Even in his darkest performances, even in 'Raging Bull' there was so
  • Embargoed: 19th February 2013 12:00
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  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Reuters ID: LVA5U53A0JHOUMTW63DKIO0ARTYN
  • Story Text: Robert De Niro cemented his place in acting history on Monday (February 04), by placing his hands and feet in concrete in front of Hollywood's historic Chinese Theater.
    The actor - whose career has spanned 40 years - won two Oscars, for his supporting role in "The Godfather: Part II," and his lead role in "Raging Bull," and went on to receive five additional Oscar nods, including one for this year's "Silver Linings Playbook."
    Joining the famed Italian-American actor for the honor were his wife, Grace Hightower, as well as actor Billy Crystal, who co-starred alongside De Niro in the comedy hit "Analyze This," and David O. Russell, who directed "Silver Linings Playbook."
    Crystal praised De Niro for his ability to bridge comedies and dramas.
    "Even in his darkest performances, even in 'Raging Bull' there was something that - he could make you laugh, and that he did in spades in 'Analyze This.' And being his partner, I didn't, I'm not used to playing straight for anybody, but it was a thrill of a lifetime to be on the opposite side of that genius, and see how it worked, and just by being with him made me such a better actor, and for that I will always be grateful to him," said Billy Crystal.
    David O. Russell told the crowd that De Niro's sensitivity in taking on the role of a father of a bipolar young man was what made his performance riveting.
    "When we first read the script together he cried because he has known people who struggled with PTSD or bipolar, we have a lot of veterans returning who are going to be living the lives that Bradley Cooper does in our film, and many families are no stranger to these challenges and they have to find the magic and the love that Bob brought in his soul, and he did bring his soul to this movie," says David O. Russell.
    De Niro, not known for being talkative in public, gave a short thank you speech with a few punchlines to the audience.
    "You know, Joe Pesci always said I'd end up with my feet in cement, I don't think this is what he had in mind," said De Niro, mocking his penchant for starring in several mafia-themed films.
    "They say everyone in the film industry has three homes - the home where they live, the home where their first wife lives, and Hollywood. I love New York, and I'm proud to be a citizen of Hollywood. Thank you for this honor and thank you for making me feel at home here. Thank you," he added.
    De Niro, now 69, was born in 1943 to two artists in New York City, trained at the Stella Adler Conservatory and the American Workshop, and has received a total of seven Oscar nominations, including his two wins, and his current supporting actor nod for "Silver Linings Playbook." He was also nominated for best actor in "Taxi Driver" (1976), "The Deer Hunter" (1978), and "Cape Fear" (1991), made his directorial debut with the 1993 film "A Bronx Tale," and founded his own production company, Tribeca Film Center, and co-founded the Tribeca Film Festival, in 2002.
    TCL Chinese Theatre, formerly known as Grauman's Chinese Theatre, has been a top Hollywood tourist destination since 1927, hosting world-class film premieres and housing the hand and footprints of the biggest stars in showbiz in its courtyard from Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor to Brad Pitt and George Clooney.
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