Robert De Niro Quotes

A lot of young actors have the idea that, "I've got to do this right. There's a right way to do this." But there's no right or wrong. There's only good and bad. And "bad" usually happens when you're trying too hard to do it right. There's a very broad spectrum of things that can inhibit you. The most important thing for actors - and not just actors, but everybody - is to feel loose enough to create what you want to create, and be free to try anything. To have choices.

You never know what you do that could be totally out of left field, which actually might work and give something fresh to the whole scene, to the character, whatever. If you have that with a director who then knows how to shape it, either in the direction, in the moment, or in the editing, then that's good.

You always learn something about movies. Directing or acting, there's always something new. It's the technological thing; there's always something to learn.

The hardest thing about being famous is that people are always nice to you.

I certainly know the difference between right and wrong.

I always tell actors when they go in for an audition: Don't be afraid to do what your instincts tell you. You may not get the part, but people will take notice.

I've never been one of those actors who has touted myself as a fascinating human being. I had to decide early on whether I was to be an actor or a personality.

When you feel that you can't fight it, you just go for it. When it comes to the arts, passion should always trump common sense.

Loneliness has been following me my whole life.

The older you get, the more you know about certain things.

I spent lunchtime in a grave during the filming of 'Bloody Mama.' When you're younger, you feel that's what you need to do to help you stay in character. When you get older, you become more confident and less intense about it - and you can achieve the same effect.

Reputation, you know – a lifetime to build, seconds to destroy.

The mind of a writer can be a truly terrifying thing. Isolated, neurotic, caffeine-addled, crippled by procrastination, consumed by feelings of panic, self-loathing, and soul-crushing inadequacy. And that’s on a good day.

One of the things about acting is it allows you to live other people's lives without having to pay the price.

Money makes your life easier. If you're lucky to have it, you're lucky.

Callista Gingrich. Karen Santorum. Ann Romney. Now do you really think our country is ready for a white first lady?

You learned the two greatest thing in life, never rat on your friends, and always keep your mouth shut.

It's important not to indicate. People don't try to show their feelings, they try to hide them.

I got some bad ideas in my head.

The director respects what they've hired you for and chosen you for: to do the part and respect what you're doing.

Passion should always trump common sense.

The hardest thing about being famous is that ... in a conversation everybody's agreeing with what you're saying. ... You need people who can tell you what you don't want to hear.

Good directors can bring certain things out of you, with their intensity or gentleness or sensitivity or understanding. They can make an actor feel he can do no wrong.

If we do a sequel, I want to beat somebody's ass!

I don’t get into these long-winded heavy discussions about character - do we do this or that or what. At the end of the day, what you gotta do is just go out there and do it.

Certain writers have it very precise and there's not much room to add something.

If it's the right chair, it doesn't take too long to get comfortable in it.

As an actor, you use the things from yourself that you can apply to the character.

One regret I have: I didn't get as much of the family history as I could have for the kids.

I hurt someone's feelings once.

You don't have to rush to do anything.

If you don't go, you'll never know.

When I think of a good restaurant, it's where the food has been consistent; there's always a consistency.

I think Hollywood has a class system. The actors are like the inmates, but the truth is they're running the asylum.

There's nothing more ironic or contradictory than life itself.

Movies are hard work. The public doesn't see that. The critics don't see it. But they're a lot of work. A lot of work.

Better to be king for a night than a schmuck for a lifetime.

You don't just play a part. You've got to earn the right to play it.

There is only one way to gain access to the truth and that is to not expect anything.

Things rarely turn out the way we want them to.

Don't let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner.

New York is more exciting, I guess, than even Paris or London. New York's the center of something; I don't know what, really - the center of a lot of things. With all its problems and chaos and craziness, it's still a great place to live. I can't see myself living anywhere else.

I will not hesitate. Not for a second.

I don't like to watch my own movies - I fall asleep in my own movies.

It's a very stressful thing, directing a movie. You have the budget, you have the schedule, you are in certain confines, and you have everybody giving you advice about what to do.

There are certain things I am clueless about as far as the new technologies. I see these people in front of these computers all day and I don't know what they are doing - they are doing something, obviously - with Facebook, Instagram and all that. I am aware of it, but basically not in touch.

Italy has changed. But Rome is Rome.

The one thing I always talk about in terms of restaurants is consistency. I think that's what we love about the vodka, is that it's consistent. It's consistent in its pureness and that's how I tie it to restaurants. When I think of a good restaurant, it's where the food has been consistent; there's always a consistency.