Robert De Niro Age During The Intern Production
Robert De Niro was born on August 17, 1943, and he was 70 years old when principal photography for The Intern began in 2014. The comedy-drama was directed by Nancy Meyers and shot primarily in New York City and on Long Island. The film features De Niro as Ben Whittaker, a 70-year-old widower who becomes a senior intern at an online fashion retailer. His real-life age aligned closely with the character, reinforcing the casting authenticity. For more background on De Niro's career timeline, see this overview from IMDb Robert De Niro filmography.
The movie wrapped production in late 2014 and entered post-production through early 2015. During this period, De Niro was 71 years old as the film moved toward its release window. The studio finalized casting, editing, and marketing while he was in his early 70s. This timing placed him at an age where his decades of screen experience were a central selling point for the project.
The Intern Release Date and De Niro's Age at Opening
Release Window and Box Office Context
The Intern premiered in select theaters on September 25, 2015, and expanded wide on October 9, 2015. At the time of release, Robert De Niro was 72 years old, having just passed his August birthday. The film opened against strong competition but performed solidly at the box office, driven by the lead pairing of De Niro and Anne Hathaway. According to Box Office Mojo, the movie grossed over $194 million worldwide The Intern box office.
Marketing materials emphasized De Niro's age and screen presence, positioning the film as a mature workplace comedy. Reviews highlighted the chemistry between De Niro and Hathaway, noting that his lived-in quality suited the senior intern role. The release timing in late 2015 placed the project in the fall awards corridor, though it was not a major contender for top prizes.
Robert De Niro's Career Stage in 2015
Filmography Position and Industry Standing
By 2015, Robert De Niro had appeared in more than 100 films and had already won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Raging Bull. The Intern arrived during a period when he was balancing studio comedies with smaller dramatic projects. His age and reputation made him a reliable draw for audiences seeking character-driven stories. For a broader view of his career milestones, see the biography page on Britannica Robert De Niro biography.
The film's plot centers on a modern startup, which mirrored real-world trends in the tech and e-commerce sectors. The fictional company in the movie is an online fashion retailer, a setting that resonated with the growing dominance of digital retail platforms. De Niro's casting as a seasoned professional in a youth-oriented industry underscored the generational contrast at the story's core. Additional details about the company and its industry context can be found in this Wall Street Journal article on the film The Intern review.
Key Facts Summary
Robert De Niro was 70 during filming, 71 in post-production, and 72 at the theatrical release of The Intern.