Robert De Niro’s Shocking Cobra Meat Revelation From The Deer Hunter Set!
In a reminiscent stroll, Robert De Niro admitted that he tried cobra meat while filming the legendary war drama, “The Deer Hunter” (1978), in Thailand.
As it happened, they gave him an unusual dish while pausing filming for a river sequence, yet he acknowledges that the flavor of the snake delicacy was quite mild.
In an interview with the Off Menu podcast, the renowned actor (age 81) shared an intriguing story: “We were near the River Kwai, and someone asked, ‘Would you like to try some cobra meat?’ So, I did. It was alright; it wasn’t fantastic, but it was cooked right over a fire.
The two-time Academy Award winner, now sharing insights about raising his 20-month-old daughter, further elaborated by comparing the taste to marshmallows, mentioning that it lacked any additional flavors or enhancers.
In simpler terms, the film – jointly written and directed by Michael Cimino – narrates the story of three Slavic-American steelworkers, who experience significant changes in their lives following their participation in the Vietnam War.
In this production, Robert De Niro portrayed Staff Sergeant Mikhail Vronsky, often referred to as Mike, among other soldiers including Christopher Walken and John Savage. Notable actors such as John Cazale, Meryl Streep, and George Dzundza were also part of the ensemble cast.
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Initially, the captivating tale unfolds in Clairton, a hardworking Pennsylvania town situated along the Monongahela River, just south of Pittsburgh. However, it later transports us to the vibrant landscapes of Vietnam.
The movie “The Deer Hunter” received universal praise from both critics and viewers, notably for the exceptional directing by Michael Cimino, the powerful acting of the cast, the compelling script, the authentic atmosphere, and the stunning visual effects.
In the end, De Niro earned an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, one of the nine nominations the movie received. This recognition led to the film winning five major awards: Best Picture, Best Director (Cimino), Best Supporting Actor (Walken), Best Film Editing, and Best Sound.
As a devoted cinephile, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing “The Deer Hunter” being hailed as one of the greatest movies ever crafted. This masterpiece even earned the title of the 53rd-best American film of all time by the esteemed American Film Institute in 2007.
In 1996, it was chosen by the Library of Congress’s National Film Registry for preservation due to its significance in culture, history, or aesthetics.
In a recent episode of their food and humor podcast, the renowned actor recounted additional tales about meals he encountered during the filming of several of his most memorable films, legendary in cinematic history.
For the movie “Raging Bull” (1980) directed by Martin Scorsese, where he portrayed Hall of Fame boxer Jake LaMotta, he shared that he didn’t find pleasure in eating large amounts of food when it was necessary for him to gain 60 lbs for scenes depicting his character at an older age.
To maintain my weight goals, I found myself needing to consume three substantial meals daily in the morning, a routine that proved challenging. After finishing these meals, I had to further digest the food before eating lunch and then dinner later in the day. Initially, this process was enjoyable as I shed the first 10-15 pounds, but soon it became tedious and tiresome.
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In truth, he once stated that portraying the LaMotta character was one of his most challenging roles, largely because he needed to substantially increase his weight for the part, as reported by The Mirror.
Approximately seven years following his role in Raging Bull, the New York-born actor shared with Entertainment Weekly that he intentionally packed on as many pounds as possible to portray Al Capone in The Untouchables (1987).
In time, the committed actor gained around 30 pounds and disclosed that he styled his hairline like a receding one, while donning a fake scar on his cheek to resemble the actual gangster, who earned the nickname Scarface following an attack where his face was cut with a knife.
As a die-hard admirer, it’s been an absolute thrill to witness Robert De Niro’s extraordinary acting journey. Over the course of his unparalleled career, he’s graced us with nine Academy Award nominations – no small feat! Among these nods, two stand out as particularly momentous: winning the Best Supporting Actor accolade for The Godfather Part II and taking home the Best Actor award for Raging Bull. Truly, his talent is a gift that keeps on giving!
In addition to his win for The Deer Hunter, he was also nominated for acting in Taxi Driver (1976), Awakenings (1990), Cape Fear (1991), Silver Linings Playbook (2012), The Irishman (2019), and Killers of the Flower Moon (2023).
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2025-02-27 10:49