Robert De Niro, 83, has expressed that his children who have entered the acting profession face significant pressure due to his own established stardom.
"It's a commitment," De Niro stated in a recent interview, referring to the challenges his children face in show business. "And you have to show, especially if you're a kid in a situation like mine… people, no matter what [the kids] say, how they behave, what they do, they're saying: 'Show me'."
De Niro, who has seven children with four different women, noted that if his children do not appear sincere and hardworking, their connection to his fame can have a "negative impact" on their careers. Conversely, he added, if they can cumulatively impress people with their sincerity and dedication over time, it can work "the other way 10 times."
He emphasized that the most crucial element is a genuine desire to act and a deep commitment to the craft. "The most important thing is to work hard because you really want to do it. And you really are committed," he said.
Two of De Niro's children, Drena, 54, and Julian, 30, have pursued careers in the entertainment industry. Drena has amassed numerous acting credits, including roles in "A Star Is Born" (2018), "The Intern" (2015), and "Joy" (2015). She has also branched into directing and producing, contributing to projects such as the short documentary "Girls & Dolls" (2001) and HBO’s "Remembering the Artist: Robert De Niro, Sr."
Julian has appeared in the miniseries "Zero Day" (2025) and "The First Lady" (2022), where he portrayed a young Barack Obama. In 2023, he made his Broadway debut in "The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window."
De Niro reflected on the evolving landscape of opportunities in the industry, noting that while there seem to be more avenues available now compared to when he was younger, the difficulty for aspiring actors to secure roles remains high. "There wasn’t that much. And now, there's so much more, it seems, but it still is just as difficult for people to get jobs as actors as is."
He acknowledged that even with hard work and full commitment, success is not guaranteed. "It's not easy… It's hard, and you have to work hard to get somewhere. And even then, there's no guarantee," he said.
Regarding fatherhood, De Niro previously told Entertainment Tonight that the most important parental role is to support children's decisions, as long as they are not engaging in destructive behavior. "The main thing is to support your kids," he stated. "As long as they're not hurting themselves, doing anything destructive or anything like that, you have to support them - period."
De Niro also spoke about balancing his career with raising his youngest child, Gia, who is three years old. He mentioned that he makes it work by having her on set sometimes with his girlfriend and utilizing a camper. "You make it work, somehow," he said. He also shared that parenting is a complex experience, and he tries his best to meet his children's different needs, hoping they will be happy.