Robert De Niro’s Taxicab Driver’s License, 1976

After seeing this photo, it’s easy to assume that Robert De Niro was already working as a taxi driver before starring in the movie “The Taxi Driver.” However, the A-list leading man actually was already pretty well settled in Hollywood by then and was not short of any good offers. His movie “Mean Streets” was a critically acclaimed box office success.

No, it turns out that De Niro obtained a cab license to experience the profession firsthand before playing one. He did 12-hour shifts for a month straight. Such was his dedication to getting his performance right. De Niro’s efforts paid off when ”The Taxi Driver” won several notable awards.