Meryl Streep says these Robert De Niro's movies made her want to become a film actress

Austin American-Statesman
Austin American-Statesman
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Published 2022-09-27
In 1973, Merry Streep said she had a job cleaning urinals when she heard that a friend of her's from college was cast in "Bang the Drum Slowly," the first person she knew with a role in a major motion picture.

But the performance by the actor in that movie that stood out the most was someone she'd see again just two months later in Martin Scorsese's "Mean Streets." After seeing the actor's performance in those movies and in "Taxi Driver," Streep said began to pursue film roles rather than just roles in theater.

"That's the kind of actor I want to be," Streep said of De Niro. "That's what I want to do."

Just a few short years later, Streep and De Niro appeared together in "The Deer Hunter." De Niro, who's film career has spanned nearly 60 years, was honored at the University of Texas' Ransom Center's 65th anniversary celebration in September 2022 after a new endowment from the actor was announced to help pay to house his scripts, costumes and props in an exhibit at the museum in Austin, Texas.
All Comments (21)
  • @talking8877
    Meryl and Robert two of the greatest legends ever! As human beings and as actors! What an inspirations they are!!!❤❤
  • @joshuamercott
    What a woman! So humble, so perfect. <3 And De Niro, two legends under one roof.
  • @lynnturman8157
    Anybody who thinks DeNiro just plays gangsters needs to check out his filmography. He has amazing range. Just another reason why he's one of the greats.
  • @agiftedlife-WOW
    I had the matchless and irreplaceable privilege of witnessing every play in which Meryl Streep performed in the Phoenix Theater in NYC in the 1970’s. Before the world had yet heard of her. The first play we saw was Tennessee Williams’ “27 Wagons Full of Cotton”, where she personified and owned the character Flora. I could not imagine where the casting director had dug up this sniveling, whining, overgrown tweenager. I looked at the program: Meryl Streep. Next up was a Civil War drama whose name escapes me, but I was completely enchanted by the tall, blonde, gorgeous, gracious southern belle. Looked at program: Meryl Streep. Ms. Streep, if your true goal was to achieve what you saw in Robert DeNiro, you have waaayyyy surpassed and excelled at your objective.
  • @michaeldonovan4793
    ah, that rare combination of intelligence, humility, and humor...thank you bob...
  • @juliam.mallen9019
    Two of my all time absolute favorites Meryl Streep and Robert DeNiro They were also amazing in Falling In Love together amazing onscreen chemistry together two amazing human beings!
  • @yellolab09
    Geez, Meryl and Robert We love you out here
  • @Jasmine34952
    What a wonderful place this Ramson Center is and it's also great to hear Meryl Streep speak of what a generous, helpful person Robert De Niro is. I really enjoyed both Meryl's introduction and Robert's speech.
  • @shaileshkulkarni6525
    It's truly a privilege to be in the same era as these greats are in flesh and blood. I'm from India. One of the most ancient civilizations on this planet. Art in ancient India was unbelievably evolved even thousands of years ago. Sculpting, painting, weaving, dancing, drama and singing were at the pinnacle of our lives back then. Art forms were inseparable part of our lives in those times. Times changed. Lives changed. It has to. Now we are seeing brilliant art forms from west since Italian Renaissance. I have never met Meryl Streep or Bob DeNiro in person but have met them frequently in movies they acted in. I can't deny that they have been absolutely fascinating. The body of work they have generated is mind-boggling. I don't know them personally. I have no right to comment upon how are as human beings. But from what this program tells me, Bob's sensitivity and commitment to humanity is commendable. One thing I can feel is that Bob is genuinely humble, grounded, generous and an eternal student of his craft. I also feel the same about Meryl in all these attributes sans humility. There's is something off in her persona which makes others feel that she's faking humility. I MAY BE COMPLETELY WRONG. Having said that, I do feel blessed to be part of the time when these fabulous actors enriched our lives. My salutations to both.
  • @wellingtonsboots4074
    thank you. Enjoyed this both De Niro and Meryl Streep are up there as my favourite actors. Just amazing
  • @susanmarie2231
    Beautiful speeches by Meryl and Robert. Meryl mentioned the actor Michael Moriarty and I would like to add that he is still alive. Meryl and Michael are in the excellent TV mini series “Holocaust” many years ago along with James Woods. This was early in their careers. Congratulations to Robert.
  • @ioanavaicar4729
    Au făcut roluri nemuritoare și sunt în inima mea ca doi dintre cei mai mari actori.
  • @duben55
    Privileged to learn that this amazing man underwritten my late husband, Peter Williams's Guggenheim Award in 2021. Thank you, Mr. De Niro!