On February 19, 2025, Robert De Niro, the acclaimed actor, made an appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” During the interview, the conversation pivoted towards the topic of personal heroes, with De Niro promoting his upcoming Netflix series, “Zero Day.”

When asked by Stephen Colbert to name his personal heroes, De Niro mentioned actor Marlon Brando and former South African president, Nelson Mandela. However, when asked to name an American hero, De Niro commended the U.S. Capitol Police officers who defended the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

De Niro, an Academy Award winner, specifically mentioned several officers such as Michael Fanone, Aquilino Gonell, Harry Dunn, and Daniel Hodges. These officers were among those who faced the violent crowd that attacked the Capitol in an attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. De Niro indicated that he perceives their actions as heroic, as they risked their lives to uphold democracy.

Colbert further probed De Niro, asking him how he thought these officers might feel as some political figures attempt to downplay the events of that day or deny their service. De Niro responded simply by saying, “Yep, it’s something.” The succinct response was followed by a moment of silence between the two, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

De Niro has been openly critical of President Donald Trump and his decision to highlight the Capitol Police officers aligns with his history of supporting individuals who, in his view, uphold democratic values. By acknowledging these officers as his heroes, he reinforced his stance on the importance of their actions on January 6.

The interview had its lighter moments as well. Colbert tried to coax De Niro into sharing personal anecdotes from his long career, particularly about the film “Brazil.” However, De Niro didn’t recall the specific anecdotes Colbert was hinting at. In a comedic twist, the host tore up his notecards in mock frustration before pivoting the conversation to De Niro’s upcoming Netflix series.

De Niro’s latest project, “Zero Day,” is a political thriller and his first venture into a limited television series. The show delves into themes of power, deception, and leadership, which align with many of the real-world issues De Niro often discusses. Although he did not go into many details about the series during the interview, his decision to take on the role shows a continued interest in stories reflecting contemporary political realities.

In May 2024, De Niro made an appearance outside Trump’s hush-money trial in New York City, offering a sharp critique. He described Trump as “just another grubby real estate hustler masquerading as a big shot” and warned of the potential danger to fundamental freedoms if Trump were to return to the White House.

De Niro’s political activities extend beyond his criticisms of Trump. In November 2024, he actively campaigned for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, making a surprise appearance at an NFL tailgate event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to rally support.

However, his outspokenness has had its repercussions. In June 2024, following his remarks outside Trump’s trial, De Niro had an award rescinded by the National Association of Broadcasters. The organization withdrew the honor, citing the actor’s pointed comments as the reason.

De Niro’s political activism is not a recent development. In 1998, he campaigned against the impeachment of President Bill Clinton, demonstrating his longstanding engagement in political matters. He has also been involved in environmental causes, notably joining the anti-fracking campaign “Artists Against Fracking” in 2012.

De Niro’s commitment to social issues is further illustrated by his efforts to preserve cultural landmarks. In August 2024, De Niro, alongside Martin Scorsese and Patti Smith, advocated against the demolition of the Elizabeth Street Garden in New York City, emphasizing its historical and cultural significance.

De Niro continues to use his public platform to influence political and social discourse, reflecting a commitment that parallels his cinematic achievements.