American actor Robert De Niro, winner of two Oscars, has a deep connection with Italy, especially with the city of Ferrazzano, province of Campobasso, in the region of Molise, where his paternal great-grandparents came from.
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This Italian heritage influenced his personal and professional life, reflecting on his performance and his involvement with Italian culture.
Italian ancestry
Robert Anthony De Niro was born on August 17, 1943, in New York City. He is the only child of visual artists Robert De Niro Sr. and Virginia Admiral.
His father was of Italian and Irish origin; his mother was of Dutch, English, French and German ancestry.
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The actor's paternal great-grandparents, Giovanni DiNiro (born April 18, 1864) and Angelina Mercury (October 22, 1877), were natives of Ferrazzano, in the Molise region, southern Italy.
They emigrated together to the United States in 1887 and they got married five years later, in 1892.
The original surname, “Di Niro”, was changed to “De Niro” during the immigration process — a common error in records of the time, caused by pronunciation or transcription errors.
Connection with Ferrazzano
In 2004, Robert De Niro was granted honorary citizenship of Ferrazzano, recognizing his connection to his ancestors' hometown. Two years later, in 2006, he was granted Italian citizenship while also retaining his American citizenship.
De Niro has publicly expressed his pride in his Italian roots and frequently visits Italy. In interviews, he has highlighted the influence of Italian culture on his life and career.
Influence on artistic career
De Niro's Italian heritage is evident in many of his film roles. Notable performances include The Godfather Part II, where he played a young Vito Corleone, and Once Upon a Time in America. Additionally, his collaboration with director Martin Scorsese has resulted in iconic works that explore the Italian-American experience.
De Niro is also a co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, which celebrates cultural diversity and promotes independent cinema.
Genealogy
Robert Anthony De Niro
Born August 17, 1943, New York, USA
Son of Robert Henry De Niro Sr. e Virginia Admiral
Paternal grandparents:
- Henry Martin De Niro (1897-1976)
- Son of Giovanni Di Niro and Angelina Mercurio, immigrants from Ferrazzano, Molise, Italy.
- Helen M. O'Reilly (1899-1999)
- Of Irish descent.
Maternal grandparents:
- Donald Admiral
- Of Dutch and English descent.
- Alice Caroline Groman
- Of German and French descent.
This article is part of the series “Made in Italy: World Stars”, in Italianism, celebrating international personalities with Italian roots.
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