Robert De Niro Says He Never Expected Taxi Driver to Become a Classic

Nearly 50 years after Taxi Driver first hit theaters, Robert De Niro is reflecting on the movie that became one of the most celebrated films in cinema history. Surprisingly, the Oscar-winning actor says he had no idea at the time that the 1976 drama would leave such a lasting mark on audiences.

“You never can think that you’re doing something that's going to have an impact,” De Niro recently told Page Six. “You just never look at it that way.”

Directed by Martin Scorsese, Taxi Driver starred De Niro as Travis Bickle, a lonely New York City cab driver whose mental health slowly unravels during long nights on the streets. The dark psychological drama also featured Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd, Harvey Keitel, Peter Boyle, and Albert Brooks.

The film went on to become a cultural phenomenon. It won the prestigious Palme d'Or at the 1976 Cannes Film Festival and earned four Oscar nominations the following year, including Best Picture and Best Actor for De Niro.

Despite the movie’s huge success, De Niro said the fate of a film is often beyond an actor’s control.

“One thing I’ve learned is that success is out of your control,” he explained.

One of the film’s most unforgettable moments remains the famous mirror scene, where Travis Bickle points a gun at his reflection and repeats the line: “You talkin’ to me?”

Fans may be surprised to learn that part of the scene was improvised. During a 2025 appearance on Live with Kelly and Mark, De Niro revealed that the iconic moment happened spontaneously while filming.

“Some of the best stuff is when it’s improvised,” he said, crediting Scorsese for creating an environment where actors could experiment freely.

Now 82, De Niro continues to stay busy in Hollywood. He will next appear in Focker-in-Law, the newest installment in the Meet the Fockers comedy franchise. The film reunites him with Ben Stiller, Teri Polo, Blythe Danner, and Owen Wilson, while pop superstar Ariana Grande joins the cast as a newcomer.

Even after decades in the industry, De Niro’s comments show that sometimes the movies that make history are the ones no one sees coming.