July 3 (UPI) — Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, an actor and the grandson of Robert De Niro, has died at the age of 19.
In a statement to NBC News, De Niro, 79, expressed his deep distress upon hearing the news of Rodriguez’s passing. He also thanked everyone for their condolences and appealed for privacy during this difficult time.
“We are greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone,” added De Niro. “We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve the loss of Leo.”
Rodriguez’s mother, the talented actress Drena De Niro, broke the news of her son’s death in an emotional Instagram post. The cause of his death has not been revealed.
“My beautiful sweet angel. I have loved you beyond words or description from the moment I felt you in my belly. You have been my joy, my heart, and the epitome of purity and reality in my life,” expressed Drena De Niro.
She continued, “I wish I was with you right now. I wish I was with you. I don’t know how to live without you, but I’ll try to go on and spread the love and light that you made me feel by being your mother.”
Leandro De Niro Rodriguez appeared alongside his mother in the 2018 film A Star is Born, starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. He also had acting credits in the movie Cabaret Maxime.
In her heartfelt Instagram post, Drena De Niro wrote, “You were deeply loved and appreciated, and I wish that love alone could have saved you. I’m so sorry, my baby, I’m so sorry @carlosmare,” referring to Rodriguez’s father, the artist Carlos Rodriguez, also known as Carlos Mare. She concluded by saying, “Rest in Peace and Eternal Paradise, my darling boy.”
Messages of condolences poured in from various celebrities, including model Naomi Campbell, actresses Debi Mazar and Rosie Perez, and many others who expressed their support for Drena De Niro and her family.
Reflecting on the heartbreaking news, Campbell, who was romantically linked to Robert De Niro in the 1990s, wrote, “Drena, heartbroken for you. You and Leandro were an amazing duo. I can’t imagine how you must feel. May the Lord comfort and hold you in His arms during this incredibly sad time. I love you, and I’m always here for you.”
Mazar, who co-starred with Robert De Niro in Goodfellas, shared her shock and offered her condolences, saying, “I have no words… I’m in shock. I’m so sorry. @drenadeniro @carlosmare I love you both so much.”
Perez also expressed her shock and support, stating, “Shocked! I’m so sorry! We are all here for you!!! I love you too much!”
Drena De Niro is the daughter of singer and actress Diahnne Abbott and was adopted by Robert De Niro during his marriage to Abbott. The iconic actor has six other children, including his newborn daughter, Gia Virginia, whom he welcomed with his partner Tiffany Chen in April.
Alan Arkin
Actor Alan Arkin holds a replica plaque during a ceremony honoring him with the 2,665th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on June 7, 2019. Arkin, an Oscar winner best known for his roles in “Little Miss Sunshine,” “Argo,” “The Kominsky Method,” and more, died at the age of 89 on June 29. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
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