Very sad news.
Robert De Niro’s grandson Leandro De Niro Rodriguez has died at the age of 19.
Leandro was the son of De Niro’s adopted daughter, actress Drena De Niro, 51, and artist Carlos ‘Mare’ Rodriguez.
In an Instagram post on Monday, the 51-year-old did not reveal how her son had died, but 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.
“You were so deeply loved and appreciated and I wish that love alone could have saved you. I’m so sorry my baby. I’m so sorry @carlosmare. Rest in Peace and Eternal Paradise, my darling boy.”
Leandro was following in his mother and grandfather’s footsteps as an actor, landing roles in 2018’s A Star Is Born and Cabaret Maxime, as well as 2005’s The Collection.
Drena was adopted by De Niro, and took his surname, after the actor married her mother, Diahnne Abbott, in 1976.
Her first movie role was in the musical comedy-drama Grace of My Heart in 1996. She later went on to appear in several of her father’s films including Wag the Dog, Great Expectations, Showtime, City by the Sea and The Intern.
De Niro split with Drena’s mother in 1988 but the Oscar-winner remained in her life and was made a grandfather in 2003 when she welcomed Leandro with her then-boyfriend Rodriguez.
Main image via Instagram/Drena De Niro
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