Who Is Julian Henry De Niro? The Smart and Private Life of Robert De Niro’s Son

When you hear the name “De Niro,” your mind probably jumps straight to Robert De Niro — the legend behind so many powerful movies. But today, we are not talking about him. We are talking about someone who shares his last name, but not his spotlight: Julian Henry De Niro.

Julian is Robert De Niro’s son, but he is not loud, flashy, or interested in fame. Instead, he lives a quiet and smart life. He is calm, private, and very different from what most people expect from a celebrity child. And that is exactly why people are so curious about him today.

In this article, we will learn who Julian Henry De Niro really is. We will explore his early life, his family, his schooling, his acting work, and why people are talking more about him now. The story is simple, but also very interesting. So let’s begin.

Julian Henry De Niro Quick Bio

Who Is Julian Henry De Niro?

Julian Henry De Niro is the son of Robert De Niro and model–actress Toukie Smith. He was born on October 20, 1995, and he grew up in New York City. Even though he has a famous father, Julian chooses a very private and low-key life.

He is smart, calm, and thoughtful. Many people say he has a quiet charm. He does not try to be famous like many celebrity kids. Instead, he builds his life slowly and carefully. He likes acting, but he also likes learning and studying. This mix makes him different and interesting.

Even now, in 2026, people still know very little about him because he shares only a small part of his life with the world. And sometimes, this mystery makes him even more interesting.

Early Life of Robert De Niro’s Son

Julian was born in 1995 through a surrogate mother. His parents, Robert De Niro and Toukie Smith, wanted to protect their children from media attention. So Julian and his twin grew up mostly away from cameras and interviews.

Imagine being a child while your father is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. It sounds exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. That is why Robert and Toukie tried very hard to give Julian a normal, peaceful childhood. They wanted him to grow up like any other kid — school, family time, and privacy.

This simple childhood shaped Julian into a calm and grounded person. Even today, he prefers quiet spaces over crowded events. This comes from the kind of early life he had — private, protected, and full of love.

Julian Henry De Niro’s Family Background

Julian’s family is large, talented, and very well-known. His father, Robert De Niro, is one of the greatest actors of all time. His mother, Toukie Smith, was one of the first Black models to become a global name. She worked with major brands and even had a mannequin made to match her face — a huge moment in fashion history.

Julian also has many siblings. Some are actors. Some work in real estate. Some keep their lives very private. The family includes:

• Drena De Niro – actress and filmmaker

• Raphael De Niro – top real estate broker

• Aaron Kendrick / Airyn De Niro – Julian’s twin

• Elliot De Niro – tennis player

• Helen Grace De Niro – born in 2011

• Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro – born in 2023

Julian is right in the middle of this big, creative group. Even though everyone is busy with their own lives, they still appear together at special events. One example: Julian went to Art Basel in Miami with his father and his sister Drena. They looked happy and relaxed, proving that the family is close.

His Twin Brother and Their Unique Birth Story

Julian is a twin. His brother, originally named Aaron Kendrick, was also born on October 20, 1995. The twins were welcomed through surrogacy, which was not very common in the 1990s. Their birth made news at the time because Robert De Niro was already a big star.

As the years passed, the twins grew quietly and privately. In 2025, Julian’s twin came out publicly as transgender and now goes by the name Airyn De Niro. Airyn shared her long journey of self-discovery and spoke openly about wanting to live fully as her true self.

This was a very brave step, and the family supported her with love. Robert De Niro himself said, “I love and support Airyn as my daughter. I don’t know what the big deal is.” That one simple sentence showed how much love the family has for each other.

Julian and Airyn share a very deep bond. They grew up side-by-side, and even though they now live very private lives, people say the twins remain close.

Why Julian Henry De Niro Is So Smart

Many people are surprised when they learn that Julian is not only an actor — he is also extremely smart. After high school, he went to New York University (NYU), one of the top schools in the country.

And he did not choose easy subjects. He double-majored in Computer Science and Mathematics at the NYU Courant Institute. These subjects are very hard, but Julian took them because he loves learning and solving problems. This shows how strong his mind is.

But he did not stop at academics. Julian also studied acting at:

• NYU Tisch School of the Arts

• Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute

This mix of logic and creativity makes him very unique. It also shows that Julian Henry De Niro is someone who uses both his brain and his heart to build his future.

His First Steps Into Acting

Julian grew up around movies, but he did not rush into acting. He took his time. He trained. He learned. And when he finally stepped into the acting world, he did it with focus.

His first on-screen experience came from working on small acting projects during school. He loved storytelling, and he liked the idea of expressing emotions through characters. His teachers said he was serious, calm, and very focused — not just doing it because of his famous last name.

Julian’s acting journey also shows a simple truth: he did not use his father’s fame as a shortcut. He worked hard, took auditions, and developed his own voice. His first major role came a little later, but this slow start helped him build strong skills.

Julian Henry De Niro’s Movies and TV Work

Julian’s official acting debut came in 2016 when he appeared in the film In Dubious Battle, directed by James Franco. The movie included big names like Selena Gomez, Nat Wolff, and Robert Duvall. Julian played a small role named Billy, but it was a big learning moment for him.

In 2022, he earned a very special role. Julian played young Barack Obama in the Showtime series The First Lady. Even though he appeared for a short time, his performance caught attention. People started asking, “Who is this new actor?”

In 2023, Julian appeared on Broadway in the revival of The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window. He shared the stage with Oscar Isaac and Rachel Brosnahan — a huge milestone for a young actor.

He is also part of Zero Day, a mini-series expected to release in 2025. This project could help him grow even more in the acting world.

Julian Henry De Niro is slowly building a strong career — one project at a time.

Julian Henry De Niro’s Big Obama Role

Playing young Barack Obama was a turning point for Julian. It was a bold role because Obama is a real person, and a very respected one. Many people watched closely to see how Julian would handle this challenge.

He prepared carefully. He studied Obama’s voice, facial movements, and calm style. He created a version of Obama that felt real, gentle, and thoughtful. Even though Julian appeared in only one episode, his scene was powerful.

This role helped people see Julian as more than “Robert De Niro’s son.” They started to see him as an actor with talent and potential.

His Work as a Writer and Researcher

Even while studying and acting, Julian still found time to do something unexpected. In 2018, he worked on a study with his professor and a fellow student. They wanted to explore one simple question: What does the world want most?

To find the answer, they searched through more than 600 million posts on Twitter. They looked at patterns, words, and emotions. And they found that people mostly wished for love, more time, and sometimes the chance to go back in time.

This study was so interesting that The Washington Post published their work. For a university student, this was a huge achievement. It also showed the world that Julian is not only artistic — he is deeply curious about human feelings and behavior.

A Look at His Private Life

Julian Henry De Niro is not like many other celebrity kids. He does not chase fame. He does not post every moment of his life online. In fact, he has very few photos on Instagram, and most of them are simple posts, not fancy or loud.

He likes quiet time. He likes space. And he likes to live life at his own pace.

People who have met him say he is kind, soft-spoken, and very polite. He chooses small circles instead of big crowds. He does not try to impress anyone. He just stays true to himself.

This private lifestyle makes him more mysterious. And in a world where everyone shares everything, his silence feels refreshing.

Travel, Friends, and Quiet Moments

Even though Julian Henry De Niro stays private, he still has some fun and exciting moments in his life. One of the most surprising examples is his trip to Egypt. He shared a single photo on Instagram, but people noticed something even more interesting in the picture — he was traveling with Pharrell Williams and Pharrell’s family. It was a simple post, but it showed how naturally Julian connects with people in the creative world.

Julian also spends time with family in places that are not exactly “low-key.” One example is Locanda Verde, a famous restaurant in New York owned by Robert De Niro. Many celebrities go there, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. In 2016, Julian went there to celebrate his sister Dana’s birthday. Even in a place full of famous faces, he still kept his quiet and gentle presence.

Another rare moment was in 2023 at Art Basel Miami. Julian attended the event with his father and his sister Drena. They laughed, posed for photos, and enjoyed art together. These small glimpses show that Julian enjoys life in his own soft and peaceful way, even when he is surrounded by very big names.

Final Thoughts

There are many celebrity kids out there, but Julian Henry De Niro stands out for simple reasons. He is balanced. He is calm. And he is smart in a very natural way. While some kids grow up wanting the spotlight, Julian chooses a slower path. He learns first, then acts. He listens more than he speaks. And he builds his future step by step.

One thing that makes him truly special is how he handles his family name. The name “De Niro” is huge. It carries history, awards, and worldwide fame. But Julian never tries to copy his father. Instead, he respects the name while building his very own story. That is rare and very impressive.

Another big thing is his mix of talents. Not many actors can say they studied computer science, math, acting, and also had their research published in a major newspaper. This mix shows that Julian Henry De Niro is not limited to one world. He can move between art and logic with ease. That makes his future very exciting because he has many paths open to him.

(FAQs)

What movies has Julian Henry De Niro acted in?

Julian has only acted in a few projects, but one of them shocked fans — he played young Barack Obama in The First Lady. He also appeared in In Dubious Battle with Selena Gomez and James Franco. Many people are surprised because he keeps such a low profile.

Does Julian Henry De Niro really have a twin?

Yes — and the truth is even more surprising. Julian’s twin, born as Aaron Kendrick, came out as transgender in 2025 and now goes by Airyn De Niro. Many fans did not know this until the story went public.

Who is Julian Henry De Niro’s mother?

His mother is Toukie Smith, a famous model and actress. She was one of the first Black models to become globally known and even had a mannequin made in her image — something extremely rare at the time.

Is Julian Henry De Niro on Instagram?

Yes, but his Instagram is shocking for someone from such a famous family — he has only a few posts and shares almost nothing personal. People often mistake him for a different model with the same name because he stays so hidden.

What is Julian Henry De Niro’s net worth? And is he married?

Even though he keeps life private, Julian’s estimated net worth is around $3 million, which surprises many people because he has done so few public roles. As of 2026, he is not married, and he has never shared any public information about having a wife or girlfriend.

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