Robert De Niro happy to play supporting roles

Robert De Niro said he’s happy to play supporting roles as his time as a leading actor is over.

Robert De Niro, 70, admitted it is rare to land a big role at his age.

The actor told Britain’s Metro newspaper: “That’s just life. We can’t play certain parts any more. We’re playing the father or the grandfather or the great-grandfather, and that can be written in a funny way, so it’s fine. But you’re not carrying the movie as the young romantic lead – those days are gone.”

He credits the baby-boomer generation with keeping him in work as older movie fans continue to visit theaters.

Robert De Niro added: “I don’t go to see enough films. But I’m told that since baby-boomers will still actually go to see a movie in a theater – because it’s a communal experience that our generation is used to – there’s now a trend towards making some movies that those people could possibly identify themselves in.”