Seth Meyers has confessed that after years of crossing paths with Robert De Niro, calling him by his nickname "Bob" still feels impossible. The two share a long history built on Saturday Night Live appearances and countless nervous exchanges backstage. Their bond runs deeper than most casual work friendships, shaped by admiration rather than familiarity. A recent podcast conversation pulled back the curtain on just how much reverence Meyers still holds for the actor.

From nervous laughter to an admission he never planned on making, Meyers opened up about a habit he simply cannot break.

Seth Meyers directly addressed why he refuses to call Robert De Niro by his nickname, and the reason says everything about his admiration. Speaking on the podcast, he explained that despite dozens of interactions, familiarity never replaced awe. He recalled feeling nervous every single time they spoke, regardless of how many years had passed.

"I've never been able to pull the trigger and call him Bob," Meyers said on Good Hang with Amy Poehler.

He then added, "It just feels too familiar for a legend."

Meyers also revealed on Good Hang with Amy Poehler that he has spoken with De Niro roughly twenty times, largely thanks to his hosting stints on Saturday Night Live. He recounted once fumbling badly and calling him "Danny DeVito" instead, an error he does not recommend repeating. These details, shared candidly, painted De Niro as someone whose presence still commands quiet respect from seasoned comedians.

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While Meyers struggled over a simple nickname, another recent De Niro conversation uncovered something far heavier than nerves.

Robert De Niro shifted from lighthearted banter to genuine vulnerability when discussing fatherhood in a separate interview with PEOPLE. He admitted that decades of experience never handed him a clean formula for balancing parenting with a demanding career. Raising seven children across multiple relationships, he acknowledged that missed moments often bring lingering remorse. The timing coincided with the promotion of his Netflix thriller, The Whisper Man, where fatherhood themes echo his own reflections.

His children range widely in age, from Drena De Niro at fifty-four down to three-year-old Gia Virginia Chen De Niro, each shaped by a different chapter of his life. Only two of them followed him into acting, suggesting his packed schedule left its mark beyond the screen. Between a nickname he refuses to use and a guilt he cannot fully shake, Robert De Niro continues proving that legends carry weight far beyond their film credits.

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What are your thoughts on Seth Meyers's long-standing hesitation to call Robert De Niro by his first name? Let us know in the comments.