Leonardo DiCaprio delivered a heartfelt speech honoring Robert De Niro with the honorary Palme d’Or at Cannes 2025, recalling how De Niro “changed my life forever.” Watch the emotional moment and read their inspiring Hollywood journey.
Leonardo DiCaprio Honors Robert De Niro with Palme d’Or at Cannes 2025: “He Changed My Life Forever”
The 2025 Cannes Film Festival kicked off with an emotional high as Leonardo DiCaprio presented his longtime mentor and co-star Robert De Niro with the honorary Palme d’Or for lifetime achievement. In a moving speech, DiCaprio reflected on how De Niro launched his career and shaped Hollywood history, while De Niro used the moment to deliver a fiery political statement.
DiCaprio’s Heartfelt Tribute: “Second Kid From the Last”
Taking the stage at the Palais des Festivals, DiCaprio recounted their first collaboration in 1993’s This Boy’s Life, where a teenage DiCaprio auditioned opposite the already-legendary De Niro.
“The audition process was a tough one. There’s lots of competition. None of us knew who would get the part,” DiCaprio recalled. “And at 15 or 16 years old, I did the only thing I could think to stand out: I screamed at him at the top of my lungs. The room burst into laughter.”
De Niro, known for his brevity, later told producers he wanted the “second kid from the last”—DiCaprio. “Luckily, that second kid was me,” DiCaprio said. “That moment changed my life forever, started my entire career in the world of cinema.”
The two reunited in Marvin’s Room (1996) and most recently in Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon (2023). DiCaprio also credited De Niro for introducing him to Scorsese, leading to six iconic collaborations (The Wolf of Wall Street, The Departed).
“That’s the thing about Bob. He doesn’t say much, but when he does, it matters. Whether it’s for his friends, his family, fighting for our democracy, or supporting the art of filmmaking, he shows up.”
De Niro’s Political Stand: Slamming Trump’s “Philistine” Policies
Ever the activist, De Niro used his acceptance speech to criticize former President Donald Trump, calling him “America’s philistine president” for proposing 100% tariffs on foreign films to force production back to the U.S.
“Art is inclusive. It brings people together. Art looks for truth. That’s why we are a threat to autocrats and fascists,” De Niro declared. “We have to act now—without violence, but with great passion and determination.”
His remarks echoed jury president Juliette Binoche’s opening speech, which referenced global conflicts like Gaza and “the winds of pain” affecting the world.
Social Media Reactions & Behind-the-Scenes Moments
The tribute went viral, with fans praising DiCaprio’s emotional delivery and De Niro’s rare display of warmth (he hugged DiCaprio onstage). Vanity Fair noted De Niro’s signature reticence:
“If I’m lucky, I’ll get a nod from him tonight, maybe even a half-smile. And I would take that as a standing ovation,” DiCaprio joked—earning laughter and applause.
Facebook reactions highlighted their Italian-American roots, with one user calling them “two of the greatest actors of our time,” while others debated De Niro’s political stance.
Watch the Moment:
Cannes 2025: DiCaprio Presents De Niro with Palme d’Or (Official Festival Clip)
Legacy of a Hollywood Icon
De Niro’s Cannes history spans decades, from winning the Palme d’Or for Taxi Driver (1976) to presiding over the jury in 2011. The festival praised his “intense interpretive power” and “charismatic calm” 812.
As the duo left the stage—DiCaprio carrying De Niro’s award—the standing ovation affirmed what DiCaprio said best:
“There is no one more deserving of this honor than Mr. Robert De Niro.”
For more Cannes 2025 coverage, follow updates on Killers of the Flower Moon’s awards momentum and Scorsese-De Niro-DiCaprio’s next project.
Sources: People, Vanity Fair, Variety, AP News, IndieWire, NDTV
