James Johnson
The Oscar winner reflects on his life-changing audition with Robert De Niro, their enduring friendship, and De Niro’s legacy as he receives the honorary Palme d’Or at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
Leonardo DiCaprio delivered a heartfelt tribute to Robert De Niro at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, where the legendary actor was honored with an honorary Palme d’Or during the opening ceremony on May 13. The emotional speech highlighted not only De Niro’s cinematic legacy but also the profound personal impact he had on DiCaprio’s life and career.
“Every once in a while, even the most private giants deserve their moment, a moment to be acknowledged,” DiCaprio, 51, told the audience, setting the tone for an intimate and moving celebration of the 81-year-old icon.
DiCaprio shared a personal story that dated back to 1993, when he was just 15 years old auditioning for the film This Boy’s Life. He described the fierce competition for the role and his bold decision to stand out by screaming at De Niro during the audition. The unexpected move earned a laugh from the room and, ultimately, the role that launched his career.
“As the story goes, Bob was getting on his plane with a producer, who asked, ‘Who do you want to play the part?’ And in classic De Niro fashion, he replied, ‘Second kid from the last.’ Luckily, that second kid was me,” DiCaprio recalled. “And that moment changed my life forever, started my entire career in the world of cinema.”
Their professional bond didn’t end there. DiCaprio went on to credit De Niro for introducing him to director Martin Scorsese, a creative partnership that has since defined much of DiCaprio’s career. In 2023, the trio united for the first time in Killers of the Flower Moon — marking the sixth collaboration between DiCaprio and Scorsese, and the tenth between Scorsese and De Niro.
“That’s the thing about Bob,” DiCaprio said. “He doesn’t say much, but when he does, it matters. Whether it’s for his friends, his family, fighting for our democracy, or supporting the art of filmmaking, he shows up.”
He went on to praise De Niro’s iconic work with Scorsese in films like Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and Goodfellas, saying the duo “redefined what cinema could be.”
Despite the gravity of the moment, DiCaprio noted De Niro’s well-known aversion to the spotlight. “If I’m lucky, I’ll get a nod from him tonight, maybe even a half smile. And I would take that as a standing ovation,” he said with a grin. “There is no one more deserving of this Palme d’Or lifetime achievement award than Mr. Robert De Niro. Congratulations.”
De Niro, clearly moved, began his own acceptance speech by thanking DiCaprio and sharing a warm hug onstage. DiCaprio carried the honorary Palme d’Or as the two exited the stage together.
Reflecting on his decades-long journey with Cannes, De Niro reminisced about attending the festival for the first time in 1973 with Mean Streets, a film that marked the beginning of his storied collaboration with Scorsese. “I’ve been here as president of the jury, I’ve been here as a fan, and I’ve been here because this is my community and I need to connect with my community,” he said.
The night was a full-circle moment for both actors — a celebration not only of Robert De Niro’s indelible legacy but also of the enduring mentorship and artistry that continues to shape the future of cinema.
