Zendaya and Robert De Niro
One started on the Disney Channel as a teen dancer and became the face of Euphoria, Dune, and Spider-Man. The other started in gritty New York crime films and became one of the greatest actors who ever lived. Zendaya and Robert De Niro are separated by more than 50 years, but both have shaped the movies of their time.
There’s no known film or project that brings Zendaya and Robert De Niro together. This is a comparison profile of two stars at very different stages of their careers, both of whom have big films out in 2026.
You’ll find their ages, education, career timelines, awards, and 2026 news below.
Zendaya and Robert De Niro at a Glance
| Zendaya | Robert De Niro | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman | Robert Anthony De Niro Jr. |
| Born | September 1, 1996 | August 17, 1943 |
| Age (October 2026) | 30 | 83 |
| Birthplace | Oakland, California, USA | New York City, New York, USA |
| Education | Oakland School for the Arts; California Shakespeare Theater training | Left high school; studied at the Stella Adler Conservatory and the Actors Studio |
| Known for | Euphoria, Dune, Spider-Man, Challengers | Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas |
| Major awards | Two Emmys | Two Oscars |
| 2026 films | The Drama, The Odyssey, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Dune: Part Three | Focker-in-Law |
Early Life and Education
Zendaya and Robert De Niro both grew up with artist parents who encouraged them to perform.
Zendaya
Zendaya was born in Oakland, California, in 1996. Her mother, Claire Stoermer, was a teacher who also worked as a house manager at the California Shakespeare Theater. Her father, Kazembe Ajamu Coleman, was also a teacher.
She attended Oakland School for the Arts and trained in theater with the California Shakespeare Theater’s conservatory programs. She also danced in a hula and hip hop group as a kid. She landed her first big role at 13 on the Disney Channel.
Robert De Niro
Robert De Niro was born in New York City in 1943. Both his parents were painters. His father, Robert De Niro Sr., was a well known abstract artist.
He grew up in Little Italy and Greenwich Village. He left high school at 16 to study acting. He trained at the Stella Adler Conservatory and later with Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio, learning the Method style that he became famous for.
Career Timeline
Zendaya’s Career
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2010 | Stars in Disney Channel’s Shake It Up |
| 2013 | Competes on Dancing with the Stars and finishes second |
| 2015 | Stars in K.C. Undercover |
| 2017 | Spider-Man: Homecoming and The Greatest Showman |
| 2019 | Euphoria premieres on HBO |
| 2020 | Becomes the youngest winner of the Emmy for Lead Actress in a Drama |
| 2021 | Dune |
| 2022 | Wins her second Emmy for Euphoria |
| 2024 | Dune: Part Two and Challengers |
| 2026 | Euphoria Season 3, The Drama, The Odyssey, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and Dune: Part Three |
Robert De Niro’s Career
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1973 | Mean Streets, his first film with Martin Scorsese |
| 1974 | The Godfather Part II, which wins him his first Oscar |
| 1976 | Taxi Driver |
| 1980 | Raging Bull, which wins him the Best Actor Oscar |
| 1990 | Goodfellas |
| 1995 | Heat and Casino |
| 2000 | Meet the Parents |
| 2002 | Co-founds the Tribeca Film Festival |
| 2016 | Receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom |
| 2019 | The Irishman |
| 2023 | Killers of the Flower Moon earns him another Oscar nomination |
| 2025 | Netflix series Zero Day; honorary Palme d’Or at Cannes |
| 2026 | Returns as Jack Byrnes in Focker-in-Law |
Two Different Paths to Stardom
Zendaya grew up in front of fans. She went from Disney star to serious actor in just a few years. Euphoria showed her dramatic range, and Dune and Spider-Man made her a global box office draw. She’s also a fashion icon who works closely with stylist Law Roach.
De Niro became a legend through intensity. He is famous for transforming for roles. He gained about 60 pounds to play boxer Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull and learned to drive a cab for Taxi Driver. His work with Martin Scorsese is one of the greatest partnerships in film history.
| Trait | Zendaya | Robert De Niro |
|---|---|---|
| Training | Theater conservatory and Disney TV | Method acting |
| Signature role | Rue in Euphoria | Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver |
| Key collaborator | Denis Villeneuve and Sam Levinson | Martin Scorsese |
| Genres | Drama, sci fi, superhero | Crime, drama, comedy |
| Off screen | Fashion icon | Tribeca and restaurant co-owner |
Awards and Achievements
Zendaya has won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Euphoria. In 2020, she became the youngest person ever to win Lead Actress in a Drama Series. She has also won a Golden Globe for Euphoria.
Robert De Niro has won two Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor for The Godfather Part II and Best Actor for Raging Bull. He has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the AFI Life Achievement Award, and an honorary Palme d’Or at Cannes in 2025.
Personal Lives
Zendaya began dating her Spider-Man co-star Tom Holland around 2021. They got engaged in late 2024. In June 2026, Holland confirmed in an interview with People that they are married, saying their families “were all there.”
Robert De Niro has seven children. He was married to actress Diahnne Abbott and later to Grace Hightower. His youngest child, Gia, was born in 2023 with his partner Tiffany Chen.
Where Are They Now in 2026?
Zendaya is having one of the biggest years any star has ever had. Euphoria returned for its third season, and she starred in The Drama with Robert Pattinson. She appeared in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey in July, returned as MJ in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and leads Dune: Part Three, due in December. She turned 30 in September.
Robert De Niro is still working at 83. He returns as Jack Byrnes in Focker-in-Law, the fourth Meet the Parents film, due November 25, 2026. He is also attached to a David O. Russell film with Jenna Ortega and other projects in development.
Fun Facts
- Zendaya and Robert De Niro both grew up with artist parents.
- Zendaya’s name comes from a Shona word that means “to give thanks.”
- De Niro co-owns the Nobu restaurant chain with chef Nobu Matsuhisa.
- Zendaya was the youngest woman ever to win two lead actress Emmys in drama.
- De Niro’s line “You talkin’ to me?” from Taxi Driver is one of the most quoted lines in film.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have Zendaya and Robert De Niro worked together? No. There is no known film they made together.
Is Zendaya married? Yes. Tom Holland confirmed in June 2026 that they are married.
How old is Robert De Niro? He was born on August 17, 1943, so he is 83.
What is Robert De Niro’s next movie? Focker-in-Law, due in theaters on November 25, 2026.
Lessons From Their Careers
Zendaya and Robert De Niro both show that choosing great collaborators matters. De Niro built his legacy with Martin Scorsese, making ten feature films together. Zendaya has worked with top directors like Denis Villeneuve, Luca Guadagnino, and Christopher Nolan. Both also take their craft seriously. De Niro is famous for months of preparation, and Zendaya has spoken about studying each role closely.
What’s Next
Zendaya will close out her huge year with Dune: Part Three in December 2026. De Niro, still working at 83, will reprise Jack Byrnes in Focker-in-Law in November and has more films in development. One is reaching new heights, while the other shows no sign of slowing down.
Why People Compare Them
Zendaya and Robert De Niro represent the past and the future of movie stardom. De Niro set the standard for deep, transformative acting. Zendaya is carrying that standard into a new era of franchises and streaming. Comparing Zendaya and Robert De Niro shows how much Hollywood has changed, and how much great acting still matters.
De Niro started in small, gritty films and became a legend. Zendaya started on kids’ TV and became a global star by her mid 20s. Both earned critical respect by taking risks on darker, more complex roles. Their careers show that there’s more than one road to lasting success in Hollywood. Fans of both can look forward to big screen releases from each of them before the end of 2026, which makes this a fun year to follow their work. It is a rare overlap.
Key Takeaways
- Zendaya and Robert De Niro have never worked together, so this is a comparison profile.
- Zendaya was born September 1, 1996, in Oakland, California, and is 30. She attended Oakland School for the Arts.
- Robert De Niro was born August 17, 1943, in New York City, and is 83. He trained at the Stella Adler Conservatory and the Actors Studio.
- Zendaya has won two Emmys for Euphoria. De Niro has two Oscars, for The Godfather Part II and Raging Bull.
- Tom Holland confirmed in June 2026 that he and Zendaya are married.
- In 2026, Zendaya stars in five major projects, while De Niro returns in Focker-in-Law on November 25.
