He Inspired a Copycat Killer
As soon as he became a movie star, he bought both his parents (who never remarried) big lofts. Things were looking up for the De Niros, but when the 1980s rolled around, De Niro was hit by a disturbing event. In March 1981, as you might recall, John Hinckley tried to assassinate President Reagan.
Photo courtesy Bureau of Prisons, Getty Images / Noam Galai, Getty Images
It was then revealed by federal investigators that Hinckley was inspired by De Niro’s portrayal of the crazed loner Travis Bickle – a guy who stalks a presidential candidate – in Taxi Driver. Apparently, he saw the movie 15 times before shooting Reagan, and three psychiatrists testified that Hinckley believed he WAS Travis Bickle.