Martin Scorsese's 1991 "Cape Fear" was a remake of a 1962 movie of the same name and marked the seventh collaboration between the famed director and De Niro. The story centered on a violent criminal released from prison and determined to terrify the lawyer who had defended him. De Niro was nominated for Best Actor and Juliette Lewis for Best Supporting Actress at that year's Academy Awards for their roles in this thriller.
2. Vito Corleone
Answer: The Godfather: Part II
In 1974, De Niro starred as Vito Corleone in "The Godfather: Part II", taking on the younger version of the same character played by the iconic actor Marlon Brando in the original film. De Niro won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal.
3. Travis Bickle
Answer: Taxi Driver
"Taxi Driver" (1976) explores the life of Travis Bickle, a lonely former soldier living in New York and spiraling into depression and mental instability. De Niro was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor and Jodie Foster was nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of Iris, a teenage prostitute Travis tries to help.
4. Jake LaMotta
Answer: Raging Bull
Esteemed director Martin Scorsese released "Raging Bull" in 1980. It followed the story of Jake LaMotta (De Niro), an aging boxer with personal problems. Joe Pesci played his brother. De Niro earned the Academy Award for Best Actor.
5. Al Capone
Answer: The Untouchables
"The Untouchables" was a 1987 film based on a 1957 book of the same name. The story focused on Chicago mobster Al Capone, played by De Niro, and the law enforcement officers who were tasked with catching him. Although De Niro did not win an Oscar for his role in this film, Sean Connery won for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Jimmy Malone, a veteran Irish-American police officer.
6. Jimmy Conway
Answer: Goodfellas
One of De Niro's most memorable performances on film was in "Goodfellas", (1990) where he played Jimmy Conway, an associate in the Gambino crime family. "Goodfellas" was directed by Martin Scorsese and was filmed in several locations in the Bronx, Long Island, and New Jersey.
7. Sam Rothstein
Answer: Casino
In 1995, De Niro partnered with Martin Scorsese again, this time for the creation of "Casino", in which De Niro portrayed Vegas casino manager with Mafia ties Sam Rothstein. The story was based on the real-life story of Frank Rosenthal.
8. Jack Byrnes
Answer: Meet the Parents
De Niro turned to comedy when he played Jack Byrnes, a retired CIA operative who is not impressed when he met his daughter's boyfriend, played by Ben Stiller, in 2000's "Meet the Parents". De Niro was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy though the award that year went to George Clooney in "O Brother, Where Are Thou?".
9. Pat Solitano, Senior
Answer: Silver Linings Playbook
"Silver Linings Playbook" was released in 2012 and starred Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence as well as De Niro. De Niro played Pat Solitano, Sr., a loving father and dedicated gambler, to Cooper's Pat Solitano, Jr., a former teacher trying to win back his estranged wife. Lawrence played Tiffany, a young widow.
10. Victor Tellegio
Answer: American Hustle
Although it was just a cameo, De Niro's turn as mobster Victor Tellegio in "American Hustle" in 2013 was remarkable, even for De Niro. The tension in his scene with con man Irving Rosenthal, played by Christian Bale, and undercover FBI agent Richard De Maso, played by Bradley Cooper, was frightening in its intensity.
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor jmorrow before going online.
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