Quentin Tarantino Declares Him the Greatest Actor in the World!

Nearly three decades ago, while promoting Jackie Brown, Quentin Tarantino enthusiastically spoke about an actor he holds in the highest regard during an interview with journalist Charlie Rose. He praised Robert De Niro, whom he views as a benchmark in acting.

Throughout his career, Tarantino has directed a remarkable array of talent from diverse backgrounds. Iconic figures such as Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Brad Pitt have featured in his movies. Despite these prestigious collaborations, one particular experience has left a significant mark on the director.

Tarantino’s Boundless Admiration for Robert De Niro

It was while working on his third feature film, Jackie Brown, that Quentin Tarantino claimed to have worked with the unparalleled Robert De Niro, who played the character Louis Gara. De Niro’s performance deeply impressed Tarantino, leading to his unreserved admiration. Tarantino stated, “He deserves his reputation, he’s probably the best actor of his generation. While editing the film and reviewing every single frame, I’ve come to this conclusion: I think he’s the best actor in the world.“

The filmmaker then elaborated on what he believes deeply distinguishes the artist. His way of embodying his roles appears complete, almost visceral: “The only thing that matters is what’s happening here and now.“

Expanding on this concept, Tarantino explained: “I’ve never seen an actor so consumed by his character (…). What I mean is that when Robert plays Louis and you look at each little piece of footage you’ve shot of him, at every moment, he is Louis. He works from moment to moment, not thinking about what comes next, (…) the next doesn’t exist, the only thing that matters is what’s happening here and now.“

A Career Celebrated by Hollywood

Beyond this collaboration, Robert De Niro has built a career full of memorable roles. He has been honored twice at the Oscars for The Godfather Part II and Raging Bull, and has left his mark in major works like Goodfellas, Casino, Taxi Driver, and more recently in Killers of the Flower Moon.

Jackie Brown is available to watch on Prime Video, Disney+, or HBO Max.

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