Arts & Entertainment

De Niro Leaves His Mark in Hollywood

The 69-year-old actor, who is up for an Academy Award for his supporting role in "Silver Linings Playbook," finally got the chance to press his hands into wet cement on Monday.

Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro left a permanent mark on Hollywood today by placing his hands, feet and signature into wet cement at what used to be Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

"They say everyone in the film industry has three homes -- the home where they live, the home where their first wife lives and Hollywood," De Niro said in the forecourt of what is now known as the TCL Chinese Theatre.

"I love New York and I am proud to be a citizen of Hollywood. Thank you for this honor and thank you for making me feel at home here."

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Billy Crystal, who co-starred with De Niro in the 1999 comedy, "Analyze This" and its 2002 sequel, "Analyze That," said "I am so honored to be here to help put his feet and hands in cement, something he had done in films to a lot of other people."

Turning more serious, Crystal said, "There has never been anyone like him on screen and there never will again."

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David O. Russell, who directed De Niro in "Silver Linings Playbook," for which he has received a best supporting actor Academy Award nomination, said De Niro cried when they first read the script together because the actor has known people "who have struggled" with post-traumatic stress disorder or bipolar disorder.

"Many families are no stranger to these challenges and they have to find the magic and the love that Bob brought in his soul to this movie," Russell said.

De Niro won a best actor Academy Award in 1981 for his portrayal of boxer Jake LaMotta in "Raging Bull" and a best supporting actor Oscar in 1975 for his portrayal of a young Vito Corleone in "The Godfather: Part 2."

De Niro also received Academy Award nominations for his roles in "Taxi Driver," "The Deer Hunter," "Awakenings" and "Cape Fear."

De Niro's other memorable films include "Bang the Drum Slowly," "The King of Comedy," "The Untouchables," "Goodfellas," "Backdraft," "This Boy's Life," "A Bronx Tale," "Frankenstein," "Casino," "Heat," "The Fan," "Meet the Parents" and its sequels, "Meet the Fockers" and "Little Fockers."

- City News Service contributed to this report.


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