Actor Robert De Niro has acknowledged that famous children pursuing acting face intense public scrutiny and extra pressure to prove themselves.
The 83-year-old two-time Oscar winner, who stars in the Netflix film The Whisper Man, explained that while he fully supports his children entering show business, doing so requires serious dedication and hard work.
Speaking to People magazine, De Niro addressed what it takes for celebrity offspring to succeed in Hollywood, noting that having a famous surname does not make the journey easy. "I'm okay with it, it's just not as easy as you would think," he said.
De Niro explained that children of high-profile actors face constant judgment from industry peers and audiences alike. "It's a commitment," De Niro said. "And you have to show, especially if you're a kid in a situation like mine... people, no matter what they say, how they behave, what they do, they're saying: 'Show me'."
He warned that an unclear commitment can harm a young actor's career before it takes off. "And if you don't look like you're really sincere about it and busting your a** and working hard, it'll have a negative impact," he explained.
However, De Niro noted that persistent effort pays off in the long run. "If you really can, over time, cumulatively impress people that you really are sincere about it and will go the distance, then it'll work the other way 10 times," he added, stressing that the most important thing is to work hard out of genuine passion and commitment.
Family and Children in Acting
De Niro is a father of seven children with four different women. He shares his eldest daughter Drena, 54, and son Raphael, 49, with his first wife Diahnne Abbott. He has 30-year-old twin sons Julian and Airyn with Toukie Smith, sons Elliot, 28, and daughter Helen, 14, with Grace Hightower, and three-year-old daughter Gia with girlfriend Tiffany Chen.
Out of his seven children, two have chosen to follow his footsteps into show business: Drena and Julian.
Drena De Niro has built an extensive career in film and production. Her acting credits include roles in major feature films such as Wag the Dog (1997), Great Expectations (1998), Joy (2015), The Intern (2015), and A Star is Born (2018). She was also seen with her father on the set of The Godfather Part II in the early 1970s.
In addition to acting, Drena has worked behind the camera as a director and producer. She directed the 2001 short documentary Girls & Dolls and produced the HBO documentary Remembering the Artist: Robert De Niro, Sr., which focused on her late painter grandfather.
Changing Opportunities in Hollywood
Julian De Niro has also established himself as an actor across television, film, and theatre. His screen roles include the 2016 film In Dubious Battle and the 2022 drama series The First Lady, in which he portrayed a young Barack Obama, attending the project's Los Angeles premiere. He also appeared in the 2025 miniseries Zero Day alongside his father.
In 2023, Julian made his Broadway stage debut performing in The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window. In November 2025, De Niro was pictured alongside his family at The Vatican in Rome, Italy.
Reflecting on how Hollywood has evolved, De Niro contrasted the current landscape for emerging actors with the environment when he began his career. "I remember when I was younger, there were less opportunities," De Niro remarked. "There's one or two or three independent films, then the studio films, plays off-Broadway, off-off-Broadway. 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."
The veteran actor emphasized that even strong determination does not guarantee a breakthrough. "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.
Unconditional Support for His Children
Despite the challenges of the acting world, the Goodfellas star believes parental support is essential. Speaking previously to Entertainment Tonight, De Niro explained that parents must stand by their children regardless of whether they agree with their choices.
"The main thing is to support your kids," he told Entertainment Tonight. "As long as they're not hurting themselves, doing anything destructive or anything like that, you have to support them, period. Even if you don't go with it, you have to support them. And they have to know that you support them. Always."
Managing Fatherhood and Career
De Niro also reflected on the practical demands of balancing a Hollywood schedule with family life, including raising his youngest daughter, Gia. He recalled bringing the toddler to work while filming Zero Day last year. "Yeah, she's great! She came on the Zero Day set a few times, I shot that last year," he said. "You make it work, somehow. Sometimes I have her on the set with my girlfriend. I'm lucky, I have a camper."
In an interview with The Sunday Times magazine, De Niro admitted that fatherhood brings constant complexities across different generations of children. "Oh God, they would all have a different answer. Family is so complex. I try my best, that's all. I hope they'll be happy," he expressed.
Speaking to People about the key to raising children, De Niro acknowledged the inevitable challenges and feelings of guilt. "I don't know if there is a secret. It's just managing it all. And there's no way around not feeling a little guilty about not being there at times you should or you think you should," he admitted, noting that parenthood requires learning on the job. "It's a new experience. It's not like you've taken courses on it and stuff. You can, of course, but you don't. You just jump in and you have the child and you got to... That's it."
Outside of family life, De Niro remains outspoken politically, having bashed President Donald Trump in a rant in June. Professionally, he continues an active screen career, playing the father of Adam Scott's character alongside co-star Michelle Monaghan in Netflix's The Whisper Man, which premiered in New York on August 24.
