Robert De Niro fuels rumors he will ditch US for Italy as he receives honor 20 years after citizenship scandal

On Thursday, Robert De Niro fueled speculation that he might move out of the country, potentially joining other celebrities who are seeking homes overseas, amid increasing political division under Donald Trump.

Many celebrities, including Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, designer Tom Ford, and actors Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes, have recently chosen to live in the UK – a trend some are calling the ‘Donald Dash’.

There’s talk that America Ferrera has also moved to Spain, and Eva Longoria has already made a low-profile move there with her family.

Rosie O’Donnell has confirmed she’s moved to Ireland, explaining that she found it emotionally difficult to watch recent political events and that the situation has been personally challenging for her.

As a huge Robert De Niro fan, I was so happy to see him receive Rome’s prestigious Lupa Capitolina award from Mayor Gualtieri! He seemed genuinely thrilled, and knowing he’s always been outspoken against Trump and lives in New York, it really made me wonder if he’s considering making a permanent move to Italy. It would be amazing if he did!

Daily Mail has not received a reply to its request for comment from reps for De Niro.

This award comes almost 20 years after a dispute over De Niro’s citizenship. An Italian-American group attempted to prevent Italy from honoring him, arguing that his film roles often presented negative and inaccurate depictions of people of Italian descent.

In August 2004, the Order of the Sons of Italy in America (OSIA), a Washington, D.C.-based organization, publicly criticized the plan. According to The Guardian, they accused the Academy Award-winning actor of consistently portraying Italian-American gangsters throughout their career.

According to a statement released by the OSIA, he hasn’t supported Italian culture in the U.S. and is actually blamed by the organization and its members for harming the image of both Italians and Italian-Americans through his work and films.

Robert De Niro became a Hollywood icon largely through his memorable performances as Italian-Americans and characters involved in organized crime.

Whether playing a harsh mobster in The Godfather: Part II or a clever criminal in Goodfellas, his acting frequently relied on the very clichés the group aimed to challenge.

Even when doing voice work in animated movies like Shark Tale, Robert De Niro consistently played characters with a tough, gangster-like attitude, solidifying his image as someone who often portrays Italian mobsters on screen.

Honestly, I was really bothered by Robert De Niro’s character in ‘Shark Tale’. It felt like they were just copying the classic mafia boss trope, and as a longtime fan, it just didn’t sit right with me. OSIA, the organization I follow, felt the same way – they were particularly upset by that portrayal.

OSIA also asked DreamWorks to remove parts of the movie they considered the most upsetting.

DreamWorks pushed back, saying the outrage was misplaced. 

Andy Spahn, a spokesperson for the organization, said they hadn’t had a chance to view the film and were therefore surprised by the situation.

‘It’s an animated movie about colourful fish. I can’t see how that can offend anyone.’

As a proud Italian-American, I remember when OSIA spoke out about giving Robert De Niro an award. They were worried it would really hurt a lot of us, because many felt his movies didn’t accurately or fairly represent our culture and history. It felt like a real slap in the face to see that potentially honored, honestly.

Despite the backlash in the U.S., many Italians supported the Taxi Driver star’s recognition. 

The people of Ferrazzano, the small village Robert De Niro’s ancestors emigrated from in the 1800s, have always considered him a local hero.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve always been fascinated by unique cultural expressions, and this one is truly special. I recently learned that the residents of this charming village – all 3,000 of them – put on an incredible festival every August dedicated entirely to celebrating a particular filmmaker and his work. It’s a testament to the power of film and community, and something I think everyone should know about!

Robert De Niro, who was born in New York in 1943, isn’t eligible for Italian citizenship because his family history doesn’t show any ancestors born in Italy.

He has never visited the village himself, according to the outlet.

Despite everything, people in the area continued to feel a strong connection to him, viewing the actor as a representation of their community’s journey as immigrants, the publication reported.

De Niro once again showed his great affection for Rome this week, beaming as he shook hands with Mayor Gualtieri and accepted a small statue of the Capitoline Wolf – a symbol of the city’s legendary founders, Romulus and Remus.

The award is given for achievements related to cultural, civic, or humanitarian work.

The 81-year-old appeared comfortable and happy in Rome, surrounded by supportive officials, leading many to believe he might settle there permanently and continue performing.

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2025-11-06 22:19