Robert De Niro fans are only just realising that the star was 'scrapped' from the lead role of an Academy Award-winning film, a setback he has described as the 'worst experience' of his career.
De Niro, who turned 83, has enjoyed a six-decade career since starting in 1963, with iconic roles in films like The Godfather Part II and Raging Bull, both of which earned him Academy Awards. Despite his success, he has spoken candidly about being dropped from a project in the 1970s.
Role in 'Bogart Slept Here'
Following his breakthrough in Taxi Driver (1976), De Niro had committed to Neil Simon's comedy Bogart Slept Here, directed by Mike Nichols. The story centred on a young actor dealing with fame after an Oscar win, satirising Hollywood's celebrity obsession.
According to a social media clip, the pairing seemed perfect on paper, but early filming revealed a clash between De Niro's intense method style and Simon's breezy comedic tone. Nichols and Simon felt the role needed more charisma, leading them to abandon the project. Richard Dreyfuss took over, and the script was reworked into The Goodbye Girl.
De Niro recalls the moment
De Niro admitted at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2024 that he didn't feel enthused by the comedy's timing. He recalled overhearing crew members say 'he's just not funny,' adding: "That's electric. I couldn't have felt worse at that moment."
He also remembered the moment Nichols told him the production would end: "I was sitting in my camper, you feel this dread. I was going to offer my salary to keep us going for another week of rehearsals. [Nichols] said 'I think we're going to have to end it.' He felt terrible. He was really upset."
Dreyfuss wins Oscar
The Goodbye Girl was released in 1977, became a box office hit, and earned Dreyfuss the Oscar for Best Actor, making him the youngest recipient at that time. De Niro's career continued to flourish, cementing his status as one of the most successful actors of modern times.
