Robert De Niro has often gone above and beyond to bring the characters he plays to life. One of his most celebrated performances came in The Godfather Part II, where he portrayed a young Vito Corleone. The actor spent months studying and learning the Sicilian language so he could speak it convincingly and accurately mimic the accent in the film.

His dedication was evident in the finished film, for which De Niro won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Later, he took his efforts a step further by learning yet another skill for a Martin Scorsese film. While he once again brilliantly showcased the special skill on screen, De Niro now regrets not keeping up with it.

Robert De Niro recently appeared on the Good Hang with Amy Poehler podcast, where he was asked whether he had learned to play any musical instruments for his roles and whether he still practiced them. The actor revealed that he learned to play the saxophone for one of his films. However, he admitted that he regrets not continuing with the skill after the movie.

"But I never kept it up, and I regretted that cuz I did work very hard on I did everything phonetically. But it's the skill that you can't take away," he said. "So, I just wish I made it something that I would practice even half an hour every day to keep."

Understandably, if De Niro was able to make an impression with only a few lessons, he might have become quite accomplished had he continued practicing for years. He picked up the skill for Martin Scorsese’s New York, New York, in which he played Jimmy Doyle, a talented jazz saxophonist. During the interview, he revealed that he learned the finger placement and how to breathe properly while playing the instrument. De Niro also revealed that he had wanted to learn the piano, but that never worked out for him.

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Although The Whisper man actor may not have mastered the saxophone, there is another quality he has continued to show beyond his acting skills and that is his willingness to speak up on issues he cares about. 

Amy Poehler had high praise for the actor and his willingness to use his voice for others. Toward the end of the Good Hang with Amy Poehler podcast, host Amy Poehler praised the actor for his habit of speaking up on issues he cares about. She added that, through his words, he has taken a stand for people who are unable to speak up for themselves.

Poehler also expressed her gratitude, emphasizing how meaningful his small gestures have been. The heartfelt tribute moved the actor to tears. It was an emotional and wholesome way to wrap up the interview with the legendary actor, who remains a fan favorite.

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