Robert De Niro Goes Against Type on Satellite TV

Robert De Niro has had a varied film career, with a slew of Academy Award nominations (and wins) and the respect of an entire generation. In fact, despite his work of the period beginning around the late 1990's, he is considered by many to be the finest actor of his generation. Looking back over Raging Bull, the Godfather, Taxi Driver and Mean Streets, it's easy to see why. However, before we typecast De Niro and see him only as the tough Italian-American characters he portrayed in Scorsese films, it's helpful to take a look at the work he did outside of this style. His work went way beyond that stereotype and can be found in films now playing on satellite TV.

1. The Last Tycoon. After a Scorsese marathon, it's hard to imagine De Niro slipping into the world of fireflies and collegiate dreams that F. Scott Fitzgerald immortalized in his work. However, Fitzgerald's failed stint in Hollywood led him to write this book, which was unfinished at the time of his death. De Niro fronts an all-star cast, portraying one of the last great producers of Hollywood's Studio Era.

2. The Deer Hunter. Like Al Pacino, De Niro was one of the finest actors in the 1970's and he searched for the most challenging roles out there. He found one in the Deer Hunter, also starring Christopher Walken and Meryl Streep. Leaving a small working-class town in Pennsylvania to face the horrors of war in Vietnam, De Niro essentially goes to hell and back. This gripping film can be seen on Turner Classic Movies in high definition.

3. The King of Comedy. Yes, it's Scorsese and De Niro once again, but there are no shootouts and no Italians to be found. Who is this guy? He's Rupert Pupkin, a wannabe comedian living in his mother's basement and dreaming of getting a shot on one of the late-night talk shows. De Niro goes the distance in this film, a somewhat frightening comedy which co-stars Sandra Bernhard and Jerry Lewis as the Johnny Carson-esque figure. Satellite TV subscribers can find this film on the Independent Film Channel.

4. A Bronx Tale. It's hard to imagine De Niro as a bus driver while people are getting whacked in the Bronx and old mafia bosses are questioning the meaning of life. However, that's exactly where De Niro put himself in his first directorial effort. Chazz Palminteri stars as the lead gangster in this interesting film set in the 1950's. Another HD film to be found on IFC commercial-free, A Bronx Tale is a real treat.

5. Mad Dog and Glory. Let's say we're a film about an intimidating mob boss and a cowering citizen and we have De Niro and Bill Murray slated to star. Which actor plays which character? Turning the concept on its head, director John McNaughton put Murray in the role of the heavy and De Niro as the crime scene investigator scared of his own shadow. See the hilarious results on satellite TV comedy channels.

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