Although Robert De Niro earned an Oscar nomination for his unforgettable role in 1976's "Taxi Driver," the actor admits that, during filming, he never thought the film would become a cinema classic. Speaking recently to Page Six, the 82-year-old star reflected on the unpredictable nature of success in Hollywood.

“You can never think that you are doing something that is going to have an impact,” De Niro told the aforementioned media. He added: “You just never see it like that.”

Directed by Martin Scorsese, this psychological drama follows De Niro as Travis Bickle, a taxi driver whose mental state deteriorates while working night shifts on the streets of New York. The film also starred Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd, Harvey Keitel, Peter Boyle and Albert Brooks.

Considered one of the most culturally significant films ever made, “Taxi Driver” earned numerous awards, including the Palme d'Or at the 1976 Cannes Film Festival and four nominations at the 1977 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor for De Niro and Best Supporting Actress for Foster.

The origin of an iconic phrase

One of the most memorable lines in cinema is when Travis Bickle, alone in his apartment, points a gun at his reflection in the mirror and asks, "Are you talking to me? Are you talking to me? Are you talking to me? So who else the hell are you talking to?"

During an appearance on “Live with Kelly and Mark” in 2025, De Niro revealed that that scene was a bit improvised. “Some of the best things, not always, are when they are improvised and done spontaneously,” he shared with hosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos.

The actor added that the experience was even better because he worked with a director as impressive as Scorsese.

As for his upcoming projects, De Niro will next appear in “Focker-in-Law” this November, reuniting with “Meet the Fockers” cast members Ben Stiller, Teri Polo, Blythe Danner and Owen Wilson, and sharing the screen with newcomer Ariana Grande.