While Robert De Niro is best known for some of his more serious, dramatic roles such as his performances in The Godfather Part II, The Irishman, or Taxi Driver, that doesn't mean he only ever takes on those types of roles. The legendary actor has become fairly well-known for happily taking on a wide variety of roles, and that includes dipping his toes into the world of comedy.
De Niro has actually been involved in quite a few comedic roles during his Hollywood career, and his performances have certainly ranged a lot in terms of quality. While he always puts in 110% into everything he does, not every character he has taken on has quite clicked. Yet on the other side, he has also been involved in some hilariously brilliant projects too.
Dirty Grandpa (2016)
Dirty Grandpa was a real low in the career of Robert De Niro, with this being a quite forgettable and not very funny role. Of course, there were some elements of his performance as Dick Kelly that were funny, and he certainly did commit to the performance.
However, the jokes were just incredibly crude and a little forced at points. His character was responding to losing his wife by hoping to relive his youth alongside his grandson. While the concept was intriguing, the actual execution left a lot to be desired in reality.
New Year's Eve (2011)
New Year's Eve was a romantic comedy that had a huge ensemble cast featuring a lot of talent from Zac Efron to Halle Berry and this also included Robert De Niro. He played the character of Stan Harris in this one, and he had one of the more emotional storylines within the movie.
His character is ill and just wants to see the ball drop one final time, but even though he has one of the sadder there is still room for some comedy. However, in comparison to other roles he has done, this isn't quite as funny, and neither is the movie in general.
The Family (2013)
Robert De Niro's role as Giovanni felt like a real mesh of many different characters that he has played throughout his career, with a sort of tongue-in-cheek look at all of them. He is the head of his family (sound familiar) and is formerly involved in the mafia (sound familiar x2) but has snitched on his boss.
Because of his decision to snitch, his family is moved into witness protection to try to save their lives, but he comedically continues to ruin their cover by not being able to let go of the past. There are some funny elements with decisions that he makes, but overall, this one wasn't the funniest performance of his career, despite being very familiar with these roles.
Last Vegas (2013)
Robert De Niro has played the 'old man looking to relive his youth' style character a couple of times for comedic effect now. His role in Last Vegas was done well though, joining Morgan Freeman, Michael Douglas, and Kevin Kline as a group of friends heading to party one more time in Las Vegas.
With four high-quality actors like this, the movie was always going to be enjoyable enough and there are moments of great comedy between them. However, De Niro is the grumpiest of the four, which doesn't help make him stand out in the laughs department in comparison to other roles he's played.
Analyze This (2002)
Robert De Niro in a mob-related movie is something that people have come to expect, with this being his trademark type of film at this point. Analyze This is another example of that, with De Niro's character working as a consultant who has to analyze things on a TV mob show.
While he is working the job, he has his own problems going on that play part of his comedic part. The movie is all about his character attempting to get a grip on his life and his emotions, and while it's a different type of mob film in that sense, it is a light-hearted, funny film when it wants to be.
Grudge Match (2013)
Robert De Niro in a boxing movie just feels right, even later on in his life with him and Sylvester Stallone (of course) competing in a match during this film. The movie has got quite a lot of heart and emotion due to De Niro's character's relationship with his son, which makes the film easy to connect with.
While there are some serious and emotional moments sprinkled in, during the build-up and preparation for the fight there is plenty of humor. Of course, things don't run smoothly as it's two old rivals trying to relive their glory days and it is a lot of fun to watch.
The Intern (2015)
The Intern sees Robert De Niro take on a totally different type of role as a widow who decided to return to the working world as an intern. He enters the fashion industry for something new, working in a clothing boutique that provides a lot of humor.
He is a very warm and kind character here, rather than his usual menacing role that De Niro has typically taken up. His character, Ben, is someone who just wants to help as much as possible, and seeing him navigate the fashion world while just trying to be as happy as he can is a charming and funny role.
Wag The Dog (1997)
Wag The Dog is a lot of fun to watch with Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman both bringing their A-games to this film. The movie sees the President of the United States involved in a sex scandal that De Niro's character, Conrad Brean has to desperately tries get him out of before the election.
What to do? Create a fake way to provide a distraction. It's a hilarious movie full of political satire that is done in a tasteful and hilarious manner. There's nothing over the top in terms of the humor, but it is done very well to make the movie connect.
Meet The Parents (2000)
Robert De Niro has played some legendary roles throughout his career, but the fact that Jack Byrnes is one of his most well-known roles is undeniable proof that this is one of his best performances. Meet The Parents is certainly the strongest of the trilogy, but De Niro's performances are the real highlight of all three films.
De Niro plays the ultra-serious Jack Byrnes perfectly. As the head of the family, he is incredibly tough to please and makes life incredibly uncomfortable for Greg. He and Ben Stiller have amazing chemistry, with De Niro's deadpan delivery working so well against Stiller's over the top reactions. There's a great balance of sarcasm, one-liners, and physical comedy that helps create such a compelling character.
Midnight Run (1988)
Midnight Run isn't just Robert De Niro's best comedic movie so far, but it's one of his best movies, period. De Niro plays a bounty hunter (Jack Walsh) in this film, and spends his time hunting down an accountant who works for the mafia.
Much like his role in Meet The Parents, De Niro is very deadpan throughout this film. He delivers his lines in a serious manner and isn't over the top, but it is that delivery that makes him such a funny character. As he hunts down Jonathan Mardukas in order to claim the fee that comes with it, the obstacles that come in his way lead to some excellent comedy.