Robert De Niro says he is “deeply distressed” following the death of his grandson Leandro De Niro Rodriguez at the age of 19.
The Goodfellas actor, 79, said he and his family were “greatly appreciative” of condolences and asked for privacy.
“I’m deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo,” De Niro said, in a statement shared with the PA news agency.
“We’re greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone. We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo.”
The death of Leandro De Niro Rodriguez was announced on Monday by his mother Drena De Niro, 51, the eldest of the actor’s seven children.
Announcing the news in an Instagram post, she wrote: “My beautiful sweet angel. I have loved you beyond words or description from the moment I felt you in my belly.
“You have been my joy my heart and all that was ever pure and real in my life. I wish I was with you right now. I wish I was with you.
“I don’t know how to live without you but I’ll try to go on and spread the love and light that you so made me feel in getting to be your mama,” she continued.
“You were so deeply loved and appreciated and I wish that love alone could have saved you. I’m so sorry my baby. Rest in Peace and Eternal Paradise my darling boy.”
Several stars, including Questlove and Rosie Perez, shared their condolences underneath the post.
Meanwhile, the teen’s father, artist Carlos Mare, commented under Drena’s post: “Words aren’t enough to express the joy he gave us or the loss we now endure with our families and friends.
“He is God’s child now. On this full moon his spirit luminates what could not be seen in the dark.
“You can’t spell LOVE without LEO.”
He also acknowledged his son’s tragic passing by posting a blacked out image on his Instagram page.
Drena had also shared her last post about her son when he was alive was on US Mother’s Day.
Alongside a snap of them together smiling and another of them with his father, she wrote on May 15: “Mothers Day - A Lil bit of Leo Lil bit of Mare... Lots of memories of my soulmate, fur baby Daisy. Today was a good day.#happymothersday."
Leandro had followed in his mother and grandfather’s acting footsteps. He notably appeared alongside his mother Drena in 2018’s A Star is Born, playing the son of Dave Chapelle’s character, George ‘Noodles’ Stone.
His other acting credits included 2005’s The Collection, and 2018’s Cabaret Maxime.
De Niro adopted Drena, 51, after marrying his first wife, American actor Diahnne Abbott. The former couple also share son Raphael, 46.
Then in 1995, he welcomed twin sons Julian and Aaron, 27, with his former girlfriend, model Toukie Smith.
The Oscar winner also has two children, son Elliot, 25, and daughter Helen Grace, 11, with ex-wife Grace Hightower.
The Taxi Driver actor most recently welcomed his seventh child, Gia, in April 2023 with his girlfriend Tiffany Chen.
