Robert De Niro is an iconic figure in Hollywood who appears to be defying the passage of time.
The actor and film producer recently marked his 81st birthday in a spectacular fashion over the weekend.
Drena De Niro, his daughter and a Hollywood director, shared a collection of pictures and videos from the celebration on Instagram. One video, in particular, drew significant attention.
“Happy 81st Bday to my Dad and #1 ride or die .. Love you with all my [heart],” she wrote, accompanying a video of her father making a daring 30-foot leap off a boat.
Such a feat might be expected from someone younger, but for someone in their 80s, it’s truly remarkable.
De Niro’s family members were clearly taken aback by the stunt, with one calling it ‘crazy’.
Another family member immediately inquired about his well-being, but De Niro quickly reassured everyone that he was fine.
Despite his confidence, many fans expressed their worries in the comments section of the Instagram post.
“That second slide gave me anxiety!” one user commented.
Others took the opportunity to wish De Niro a happy birthday: “A Happy Birthday to the best actor of all Time, for his 81st Birthday. And many more. From a very big fan,” another person wrote.
Another fan added: “Happy Birthday To The Best Actor In The World.”
Earlier this year, De Niro discussed his experience of being ‘great at 80’.
Last year, De Niro welcomed his seventh child, Gia Virginia, while many of his peers were contemplating retirement.
In the February/March edition of AARP The Magazine, De Niro shared: “Everything that I’m consumed with or worried about just goes away when I look at her. It’s wondrous.”
“When she gets older — who knows? But that very sweet way she has of looking at you, taking you in, thinking and watching and observing,” he continued.
Having dealt with the challenges of parenting across several decades, De Niro now adopts a more laid-back approach.
“It doesn’t get easier,” he told the Guardian last October when discussing his experience of becoming a father once more.
“It is what it is. It’s OK. I mean, I don’t do the heavy lifting. I’m there, I support my girlfriend. But she does the work. And we have help, which is so important.”