Summary
- Robert De Niro's diverse range of roles has allowed him to portray deeply flawed characters with redeeming qualities, captivating audiences with his award-winning performances.
- De Niro's memorable movie lines have become part of common vernacular, showcasing his talent for delivering engaging and unforgettable dialogue.
- From menacing mafia characters to comedic roles, De Niro's acting style and devotion to the craft continue to inspire both actors and movie audiences today.
The legendary actor Robert De Niro has an enormous body of film work that has shaped pop culture for several decades, delighting moviegoers around the world with complex characters and stand-out quotes. De Niro's acting style and devotion to the craft continue to inspire today's actors and movie audiences. Younger generations of film enthusiasts also keep discovering De Niro's movies, mostly from captivating dialogue that has become common vernacular over the last half-century.
From Taxi Driver to Shark Tale, De Niro has played a wide array of roles showcasing the actor's skill at depicting multifaceted tough guys. Most of De Niro's characters are deeply flawed individuals who've been hardened by life's circumstances, and in some instances, they are infused with redeeming qualities like kindness and empathy. De Niro's award-winning and critically acclaimed performances have created quintessential moments that are punctuated by engaging and unforgettable movie lines.
25 “You Don't Know How To Assess Your Competition Because You Haven't Competed. Don't Make Me Your Competition.” (Limitless)
In Limitless, Robert De Niro’s Carl Van Loon, a New York City tycoon, advises Eddie Morra to not leave his company to start his own business. This quote caps off a condescending speech that dismisses Eddie’s talents and newfound cognitive abilities. Though De Niro delivers the line in a hushed tone, the threat carries the same weight as any one of the actor’s menacing mafia characters.
24 “It's Gonna Be My Job To Set You Straight. That's Right, To Kill Or Cure. Kill Or Cure!” (This Boy’s Life)
This Boy’s Life, based on author Tobias Wolff’s memoir, features one of the most disturbing characters of Robert De Niro’s career. A verbally and physically abusive man, his Dwight Hansen utters this chilling quote as a declaration of how he will discipline his wayward teenage stepson, Jack. Audiences soon discover how serious Dwight is about achieving his goal as he proceeds to mistreat Jack throughout the film.
23 "A Good Plan Today Is Better Than A Perfect Plan Tomorrow." (Wag The Dog)
When the president is caught in a sex scandal at the White House in Wag the Dog, Robert De Niro's Conrad Brean, a political fixer, helps concoct a fictional war to distract voters. The calm and witty Brean, a personality De Niro seldom inhabits in his movie roles, delivers the line as a way of assuring the president’s staff that while the plan is rough around the edges, they’ll tweak it in the days ahead.
22 “50 Fockers, What Could Be Better?” (Meet The Fockers)
Robert De Niro revisits his most celebrated comedic role as the grumpy and stubborn patriarch Jack Byrnes in the sequel Meet The Fockers. Greg’s mom is planning a party to celebrate Greg’s and Pam’s engagement when she announces that the guest list is up to 50 Fockers. The news prompts an unhappy Jack to give an acerbic, but hysterical response, which is considered one of the Meet the Fockers’ best and funniest quotes.
21 “I’m Snapping It, I’m Snapping It!” (Shark Tale)
Robert De Niro is the voice of Don Lino, the underwater leader of the Great White Sharks, in the animated Shark Tale. Lino is desperately trying to get his fin to snap when he offers the funny retort. The quote reveals the more vulnerable and playful side of a character who is a parody of the actor’s legendary movie mob roles.
20 “I Offered You A Chance To Be A Cop, And You Blew It! You Blew It.” (Cop Land)
In Cop Land, Internal Affairs investigator, Lt. Moe Tilden is unhappy when Sheriff Freddy Heflin finally decides to lend his assistance in a police corruption case that has recently been closed. As the IA detective, Robert De Niro nails this line, which conveys the frustration that both the character and audiences feel about the possibility the bad guys will get away with their crimes.
19 “Reputations, You Know—A Lifetime To Build, Seconds To Destroy.” (Stardust)
During the fantasy adventure film Stardust, Tristan and Yvaine encounter Robert De Niro’s pirate, Captain Shakespeare, who provides them shelter aboard his ship. When it’s time for Tristan and Yvaine to leave, they ask Shakespeare if they can do anything to repay his kindness. The captain instructs them to not mention his kindness, prompting this amusing quote, which De Niro expresses with a brilliant mix of charm and a deadly serious look in his eyes.
18 “No, This Is My Batcave. There's A Tunnel In The Garage That Leads To My Mansion In Beverly Hills.” (Showtime)
Nearly all of Robert De Niro’s movie characters are masterful with sarcasm, like LAPD Detective Mitch Preston in the comedy Showtime. When Chaz, the producer of a reality police show, visits Mitch’s home, which is undergoing remodeling work, she asks in an unimpressive tone, “Is this your house?” Mitch replies with a quip that perfectly highlights the stupidity of the question and his frustration with the filming project.
17 “When Life Reaches Out With A Moment Like This, It’s A Sin If You Don’t Reach Back.” (Silver Linings Playbook)
As Pat Solitano Sr., in Silver Linings Playbook, Robert De Niro tells his son, Pat Jr., who has been working hard on his mental health, to not let Tiffany, the love of his life, slip away. This heartfelt line, spoken by Pat Sr., a character who struggles with showing affection, inspires the son to find Tiffany and proclaim his love to her.
16 "I Work Hard For Them When I Ain't Stealing From Them" (The Irishman)
This is one of the best quotes from The Irishman. Robert De Niro’s Frank Sheeran gives the response to a lawyer who asks if Frank stole meat from the butcher company where he worked. The casual, matter-of-fact tone Frank uses superbly captures the personality of a man who will switch loyalties when it best suits him and his needs.
