De Niro’s breakthrough role came in 1973 when he played a young Vito Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather Part II,” a performance that earned him his first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. This role established him as a force in Hollywood and set the stage for a legendary career. He collaborated with director Martin Scorsese on several iconic films, including “Taxi Driver,” “Raging Bull,” “Goodfellas,” and “Casino.” His portrayal of complex characters in these films earned him critical acclaim and multiple awards, including an Academy Award for Best Actor for “Raging Bull.”