Because they’re yin and yang. De Niro is a chameleon. He disappears into roles. You forget he’s Robert De Niro. Pacino? He’s a volcano. He erupts on screen. You can’t look away.
They’ve both done comedies too. De Niro in Meet the Parents. Pacino in Jack and Jill—yes, that weird Adam Sandler movie. Pacino played himself as a ridiculous grump. It’s hilarious.
The “only one Oscar” scandal
Crazy fact: Pacino only has one competitive Oscar. For Scent of a Woman. He didn’t win for The Godfather or Dog Day Afternoon. Shocking, right?
De Niro has two. But he lost for Taxi Driver and Raging Bull? Actually, he won for Raging Bull. But still—he should have more. Both should have armloads of gold statues.