Robert de Niro

Robert De Niro, born on August 17, 1943, in New York City, is a legendary actor, director, and producer. Known for his intense dedication to his craft, De Niro has delivered some of the most memorable performances in film history. With a career spanning over five decades, he has become a symbol of method acting and has won numerous awards, including two Academy Awards. Here are 15 fun facts that you might not know about Robert De Niro. Enjoy these fun facts as we explore the life of one of Hollywood’s greatest actors.
Robert de Niro
1

Robert De Niro gained 60 pounds to play the older version of Jake LaMotta in 'Raging Bull', a transformation that earned him an Academy Award.

2

He is known for his method acting approach and once spent a month driving a taxi to prepare for his role in 'Taxi Driver'.

3

De Niro has a reputation for being very private, rarely giving interviews or discussing his personal life in public.

4

He turned down the role of Han Solo in 'Star Wars' before it was offered to Harrison Ford.

5

Robert De Niro co-founded the Tribeca Film Festival in 2002 as a way to revitalize the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan after the 9/11 attacks.

6

He holds dual citizenship in the United States and Italy, thanks to his Italian heritage.

7

De Niro's father, Robert De Niro Sr., was a well-known abstract expressionist painter.

8

He learned to speak fluent Italian for his role in 'The Godfather Part II'.

9

De Niro is famous for his collaborations with director Martin Scorsese, having worked on nine films together.

10

He had a long-standing friendship with comedian and actor Robin Williams, with whom he starred in 'Awakenings'.

11

Robert De Niro is a restaurateur and co-owner of the Nobu restaurant chain.

12

He was considered for the role of Frank Serpico in the film 'Serpico', but it ultimately went to Al Pacino.

13

De Niro’s commitment to his roles is legendary; he had his teeth ground down for his part in 'Cape Fear' to look more menacing.

14

He played the role of both a young and old Vito Corleone in 'The Godfather Part II', a performance that won him an Academy Award.

15

Robert De Niro has six children and has been married twice, first to Diahnne Abbott and then to Grace Hightower.

Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck’s career spans decades of acting, writing, and directing, making him a Hollywood heavyweight. Beyond blockbuster hits lies a story full of unique moments and surprising twists. Explore little-known facts about Ben Affleck that reveal his talents, challenges, and passions off-screen, adding new layers to his public image.
Ben Affleck
  1. Ben Affleck started acting in local theater productions before landing his first TV roles.
  2. At 14, he co-wrote a screenplay with his childhood friend Matt Damon that later became the Oscar-winning “Good Will Hunting.”
  3. He was almost cast as Spider-Man in the early 2000s before the role went to Tobey Maguire.
  4. Affleck trained with real CIA operatives to prepare for his role in “Argo,” adding authenticity to the film.
  5. Though famous for acting, he is also a skilled filmmaker and won an Oscar for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.
  6. Affleck is passionate about philanthropy, supporting charities like the Eastern Congo Initiative.
  7. His intense workout routines often involve mixed martial arts to prepare for action roles.
  8. He takes an active role in film editing and is known to invest personal time to perfect final cuts.
  1. Ben Affleck enjoys writing poetry and has cited it as a personal creative outlet.
  2. He once lived on a farm in Virginia, where he enjoys horseback riding and nature walks.
  3. Affleck’s passion for baseball is legendary; he played competitively in high school and college.
  4. Despite a busy Hollywood life, he’s a committed family man, often speaking about fatherhood’s impact on him.
  5. Ben’s directorial style is influenced by classic filmmakers like Martin Scorsese and Clint Eastwood.
  6. His role in “Gone Girl” earned critical praise for breaking away from his usual characters.
  7. Off-screen, Affleck hosts an annual poker tournament to raise funds for various causes.

Alien

The Alien movies, starting with the 1979 classic directed by Ridley Scott, have become some of the most influential and iconic science fiction horror films of all time. Starring Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley, the franchise blends intense suspense with groundbreaking special effects and unforgettable creature design. The series explores themes of survival, corporate greed, and the terrifying unknown, with the Xenomorph becoming one of cinema's most feared monsters. Here are 15 fun facts about the 'Alien' movies. These fun facts provide a deeper insight into the making of this legendary film franchise.
Alien
1

The original 'Alien' script, written by Dan O'Bannon and Ronald Shusett, was initially titled 'Star Beast,' but the name was changed to 'Alien' for its simplicity and impact.

2

Sigourney Weaver was relatively unknown before being cast as Ellen Ripley, but her performance made her a star and established her as one of the first female action heroes in cinema.

3

The design of the Xenomorph was created by Swiss artist H.R. Giger, whose biomechanical art style gave the creature its terrifying and otherworldly appearance.

4

The chestburster scene in 'Alien' was kept a secret from the cast to ensure their genuine shock and horror when the creature burst out of John Hurt's chest.

5

The Xenomorph suit was worn by a 7-foot-tall Nigerian design student named Bolaji Badejo, who was discovered in a London pub by one of the film's casting agents.

6

Ridley Scott used a combination of practical effects, including models and puppets, to create the film's terrifying atmosphere, with minimal use of CGI.

7

The alien's acidic blood was added to the script as a plot device to prevent the crew from simply shooting the creature, making it even more deadly and difficult to kill.

8

James Cameron directed the sequel, 'Aliens' (1986), which shifted the tone from horror to action while still maintaining the suspense and terror of the original.

9

Sigourney Weaver was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in 'Aliens,' a rare honor for an actress in a science fiction film.

10

The iconic line 'Get away from her, you bitch!' was improvised by Sigourney Weaver during filming and has since become one of the most memorable quotes in the franchise.

11

H.R. Giger's original designs for the Xenomorph included eyes, but they were removed to make the creature more mysterious and frightening.

12

The egg chamber scene in 'Alien' was filmed using a blue light, which gave the eggs an eerie glow. The blue light was actually borrowed from the rock band The Who, who were rehearsing next door.

13

The role of Ellen Ripley was originally written as a male character, but it was later changed to female, which significantly impacted the portrayal of women in action films.

14

The Xenomorph's hissing sounds were created by combining recordings of a baboon, a boa constrictor, and a panther, adding to the creature's menacing presence.

15

The 'Alien' franchise has inspired numerous sequels, prequels, comics, video games, and even crossover films like 'Alien vs. Predator,' cementing its place in popular culture.