Robert de Niro Opens up About the One Performance He Says Is Awful

Robert De Niro is widely respected as one of Hollywood’s most disciplined actors, but he doesn’t hesitate to speak his mind when it comes to performances he feels fall short. While he first gained attention in the late 1960s, it was the 1970s that defined his career, thanks to his legendary collaboration with Martin Scorsese.

Starting with Mean Streets in 1973, De Niro delivered unforgettable roles in films like The Godfather: Part II and Taxi Driver, where his portrayal of Travis Bickle became iconic. Despite all these successes, De Niro has named his favorite personal performance as the 2009 family drama Everybody’s Fine.

One of his most celebrated roles is Al Capone in Brian De Palma’s The Untouchables from 1987. De Niro has said he was drawn to Capone because the gangster was larger than life and insisted to De Palma that he would only take the part if the script was perfect.

In a candid interview with Playboy, De Niro didn’t hold back when discussing the original 1932 Scarface. He called Paul Muni’s performance awful and described him as “the biggest ham,” suggesting that his theatrical style didn’t translate well to film, which demands more subtlety.

When the discussion turned to Al Pacino’s 1983 Scarface, De Niro’s tone became more respectful. He revealed that he had once considered remaking the film with Scorsese directing. “If you don’t do it, I’m gonna do it,” he said, adding that his version would have stayed closer to the original story rather than the Miami setting chosen by De Palma.

At 82, De Niro continues to stay busy. His 2025 crime drama The Alto Knights, in which he played two rival mob bosses, Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, became a hit on streaming platforms despite a rocky theatrical release.

Critics and fans praised his ability to give each character distinct personalities, voices, and mannerisms, reflecting the meticulous approach that has defined his six-decade career.

De Niro is also exploring television, starring in Netflix’s political thriller Zero Day as a former U.S. President handling a cyberattack, alongside Jesse Plemons and Lizzy Caplan. He is set to appear in a limited series remake of Cape Fear on Apple TV+ in June, further showing his continued versatility.

Do you think Robert De Niro is right to criticize 1930s “hammy” performances, or do those classic roles still have a charm that modern movies often lack? Share your thoughts in the comments.