Robert De Niro has long been recognised as one of the greatest actors of his generation. His intense commitment to his roles, his ability to disappear into characters, and his collaborations with legendary directors like Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola have solidified his place in Hollywood history.

But like any great artist, De Niro has his own inspirations – performers and films that shaped his craft and influenced his approach to acting. In a 2013 article by The Golden Globes, in…