(Lustig)Robert De Niro launched his prolific motion picture career in Brian De Palma's "The Wedding party" in 1969. By 1973, De Niro had twice won the New York Film Critics' Award for Best Supporting Actor in recognition of his critically acclaimed performances in "Bang the Drum Slowly" and Martin Scorsese's "Mean Streets."

In 1974, De Niro received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of the young 'Vito Corleone' in "The Godfather Part II." In 1980 he won his second Oscar, as Best Actor, for his extraordinary portrayal of Jake La Motta in Scorsese's "Raging Bull."

De Niro has earned Academy Award nominations for his work in four additional films: Scorsese's "Taxi Driver," Michael Cimino's "The Deer Hunter," Penny Marshall's "Awakenings" and Scorsese's 1992 remake of "Cape Fear."

De Niro's distinguished body of work also includes performances in "The Last Tycoon," "1900," "True Confessions," "Falling in Love," "Once Upon a Time in America," "Brazil," "The Mission," "The Untouchables," "Angel Heart," "Midnight Run," "Jacknife," "Stanley and Iris," "We're No Angels," "Awakening," "Backdraft," "This Boy's Life," "Mad Dog and Glory," "A Bronx Tale," "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein," "Heat," "Sleepers," "The Fan," "Marvin's Room," "Cop Land," and Martin Scorsese's "The King of Comedy," "New York, New York," "Goodfellas" and "Casino."

De Niro's most recent film credits include Barry Levinson's "Wag the Dog" and Quentin Tarantino's "Jackie Brown."

De Niro takes pride in the development of his production company, Tribeca Productions, and the Tribeca Film Center, which he founded with Jane Rosenthal in 1988. Through Tribeca, he develops projects on which he serves in a combination of capacities, including producer, director and actor.

Tribeca's "A Bronx Tale" marked De Niro's directorial debut. Other Tribeca features include "Thunderheart," "Cape Fear," "Mistress," "Night and the City," "The Night We Never Met," "Faithful," "Panther," "Marvin's Room" and "Wag the Dog." In 1992, Tribeca TV was launched with the critically acclaimed series "Tribeca," on which De Niro served as executive producer.

De Niro as Lustig

GREAT EXPECTATIONS marks De Niro's fifth film with producer Art Linson, and it was his friendship with the producer that brought him to the film. "I trust Art completely and he'd been telling me about this project for a long time," claims De Niro. The opportunity to work with Cuarón was another draw. "I had seen 'A Little Princess' which I thought was a wonderful film, and I wanted to work with Alfonso." Linson relished the prospect of reuniting with De Niro. "He always brings something special to a project," notes the producer. "As he does so often, Bob has created a memorable character who has a lot of levels."

De Niro's casting indeed was the realization of Cuarón's hopes for the part. "Art Linson had asked me who I wanted to play the convict," Cuarón remembers, "and I said, 'Bob De Niro, of course!' And he said, 'Okay, you've got him.' It was like a dream.