Meet Julian Henry De Niro: The Smart and Talented Son of Robert De Niro

When you hear the name “De Niro,” you probably think of Robert De Niro — the legendary actor behind powerful movies like Taxi Driver, The Irishman, and Meet the Parents. But today, we’re not talking about him. We’re talking about his son, Julian Henry De Niro.

Julian may have been born into Hollywood fame, but he’s doing things his own way. He’s not loud. He’s not flashy. Instead, he’s quietly making smart moves, both in acting and in education. From playing young Barack Obama to writing a clever study on what people want most in life, Julian is much more than “just” the son of a superstar.

In this article, we’ll explore his life story in a very simple and easy way. We’ll talk about his background, acting roles, studies, family, and more. Whether you’ve heard his name before or not, you’ll walk away knowing why Julian Henry De Niro is someone to watch.

Julian Henry De Niro Quick Bio

Who Is Julian Henry De Niro?

Julian Henry De Niro is the son of one of the biggest movie stars in the world, but he isn’t trying to copy his dad. He’s carving his own path — and doing it quietly.

Julian is an actor, yes. But he’s also a deep thinker, a college graduate, and someone who enjoys living life out of the spotlight. He’s acted in movies and TV shows, studied computer science and math, and even wrote a research article that got published in The Washington Post.

He may not be on every magazine cover, but more and more people are curious about him — and it’s easy to see why.

When and Where Was Julian Born?

Julian Henry De Niro was born on October 20, 1995, in New York City, USA. That makes him 30 years old as of 2025.

He wasn’t born alone — he has a twin brother named Aaron Kendrick De Niro. The twins were born using in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and were delivered by a surrogate mother.

From the very beginning, Julian’s life was a bit different from most people. But growing up in a creative and loving family, he had many opportunities to learn and grow in his own way.

Julian Henry De Niro’s Parents and Family

Julian’s parents are both well-known, but in different ways. His father, Robert De Niro, is one of the most respected actors in Hollywood history. His mother, Toukie Smith, is a beautiful and talented model and actress who made history in the fashion world.

Toukie was one of the first Black models to become truly famous. She worked with big brands like Chanel, Versace, and Thierry Mugler, and even had a mannequin made in her image. That’s how iconic she was.

Robert and Toukie were together from 1988 to 1996, though they never got married. During that time, they welcomed Julian and Aaron into the world.

Julian’s Famous Siblings and Extended Family

Julian isn’t an only child. In fact, he’s part of a very big and talented family. Along with his twin brother Aaron, he has five other siblings.

• Drena De Niro – Julian’s half-sister. She’s an actress and filmmaker.

• Raphael De Niro – Julian’s half-brother. He works in real estate and has helped many celebrities find homes.

• Elliot De Niro – Another half-brother, born in 1998. Robert De Niro once shared that Elliot is on the autism spectrum.

• Helen Grace De Niro – His younger half-sister, born in 2011.

• Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro – His baby half-sister, born in 2023.

It’s a big family, and even though some of the siblings are older, they seem to support each other. Julian is often seen at events with his dad and older sister Drena.

Julian Henry De Niro’s Education Journey

Unlike many celebrity kids who jump into fame right away, Julian chose to focus on education first. He went to New York University (NYU) and took on a tough challenge: a double major in Computer Science and Mathematics.

That’s not an easy choice. But Julian didn’t stop there. He also studied acting at two famous schools — NYU Tisch School of the Arts and the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. This shows how balanced he is — smart with books and skilled on stage.

In fact, he reminds many people of stars like Emma Watson or Natalie Portman — both actors who also went to top universities while building their careers. Julian seems to believe in growing both the mind and the heart.

Acting Career and Big Screen Debut

Julian made his movie debut in 2016 in the film In Dubious Battle. It was a drama based on a novel and was directed by James Franco. The cast also included stars like Selena Gomez and Robert Duvall.

Julian played a small role named Billy, but it was enough to give him real experience on a professional movie set. Imagine walking onto a film set and working next to famous actors during your very first job — that’s not something many people get to do.

Even though his part was small, it showed that Julian was serious about acting. He wasn’t just getting roles because of his last name — he was learning the craft the right way.

Playing Young Barack Obama in The First Lady

In 2022, Julian got another big opportunity. He was cast to play young Barack Obama in the Showtime series The First Lady. It was a powerful moment — a big show, a big role, and a big name to play.

The series focused on the lives of former First Ladies like Michelle Obama, Betty Ford, and Eleanor Roosevelt. Julian appeared in episode three, showing a younger Barack Obama while he was courting Michelle Robinson (played by Jayme Lawson).

Even though it was a short part, it was meaningful. It proved Julian could handle serious roles and be part of important stories. People started to notice him more after that.

Julian Henry De Niro’s Hidden Talents

Julian isn’t just an actor — he’s also very smart. In 2018, he worked on a Twitter study with his professor and a fellow student from NYU. Together, they looked at over 600 million tweets to understand what people truly wanted in life.

The result? Most people wished for love, more time, or to go back in time. This study was so interesting that it got published in The Washington Post. That’s a big deal for any student — and it shows how Julian uses both his heart and brain.

This project proves that Julian Henry De Niro is more than a celebrity kid. He’s thoughtful, curious, and willing to work hard behind the scenes.

Julian’s Private Life and Personality

Even though he’s from a very famous family, Julian prefers to keep his life private. He doesn’t post much on social media. In fact, his Instagram only has a few posts — and most of them are simple travel photos.

He isn’t often seen at parties or red carpets unless it’s something meaningful. This shows he values peace, privacy, and purpose. Some people like the spotlight. Others, like Julian, enjoy a quiet space to grow.

Friends and fans say he is kind, humble, and easy to talk to. He isn’t trying to impress anyone — he’s just being himself. And that makes him even more interesting.

Trips, Friends, and Famous Faces

Even though Julian keeps things low-key, he’s still had some cool moments. In 2021, he posted about a trip to Egypt. But the surprising part? He was traveling with Pharrell Williams and his family.

Another time, Julian was seen at Locanda Verde, his dad’s restaurant in New York. That same spot is popular with stars like Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. He was there for a party with his sister Dana in 2016.

In 2023, Julian made a rare public appearance with his dad and sister Drena De Niro at Art Basel Miami. They looked happy and close — like a strong, creative family.

What Makes Julian Henry De Niro Special

Julian stands out for many reasons. Yes, he’s the son of Robert De Niro. But what really makes him special is his mix of talent, intelligence, and calm confidence.

He isn’t chasing fame. He’s growing slowly and choosing roles that matter. At the same time, he’s exploring other sides of life — like tech, writing, and quiet reflection. That’s a rare balance, especially in today’s world.

Julian Henry De Niro is someone who doesn’t follow trends. He follows his heart. And that’s something we can all learn from.

Final Thoughts

So what’s next for Julian? Right now, he hasn’t shared any big upcoming roles. But that doesn’t mean he’s stopped. He’s simply taking his time — choosing quality over noise.

Whether he returns to the screen, writes more, or creates something new, one thing is clear: Julian Henry De Niro is just getting started. His journey is unfolding in a quiet but powerful way.

And who knows? Maybe one day we’ll see him directing, writing, or doing something totally unexpected. Whatever it is, it’ll be smart, thoughtful, and true to who he is.

(FAQs)

What movies has Julian Henry De Niro been in?

Julian acted in In Dubious Battle with Selena Gomez and James Franco, and he even played a young Barack Obama in The First Lady series!

Who is Julian Henry De Niro’s mother?

His mom is Toukie Smith, a famous model and actress. She was one of the first Black models to have a mannequin made to look just like her!

How much is Julian Henry De Niro worth?

Even though he stays quiet and private, Julian’s net worth is believed to be around $3 million — pretty impressive for someone still rising.

When was Julian Henry De Niro born, and how old is he?

Julian was born on October 20, 1995, which makes him 30 years old in 2025.

Does Julian Henry De Niro use Instagram?

Yes, but he’s super private. He only has a few posts and doesn’t share much about his personal life online.

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