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Culture June 12, 2020

Robert De Niro gets candid about raising biracial children: It's 'scary'

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As people around the world continue to protest in support of black lives, parents are forced to have difficult discussions with their children about what's happening -- including Robert De Niro.

During an appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," the 76-year-old actor, who has six biracial children, was asked, "Have you had the conversation about race with your kids?"

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"My children are all half black and I don’t have … even me, I take certain things for granted," he admitted.

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The "Irishman" star said the topic is not one they discuss often but "they know" and shared how he can relate to other parents.

"When people say that they tell their kids, 'Keep your hands when you’re stopped by anybody or cops, keep your hands on the steering wheel, don’t make a sudden move, don’t put your hands below, don’t do this,' you understand that," he explained.

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"That’s scary. That has to change," De Niro continued. "A lot of people have been saying the cops have to help in the community and have a sensitivity, and there are good cops, of course, who have that already. But there are some who don’t, and they shouldn’t be there."

De Niro has a 48-year-old daughter, Drena, and a 43-year-old son Raphael with ex-wife Diahnne Abbott. He shares two sons, 24-year-olds Aaron and Julian, with ex, Toukie Smith. He also has 22-year-old son Elliot and 8-year-old daughter Helen with ex-wife Grace Hightower.