Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez Dies: Actor-Grandson Of Robert De Niro Was 19

Greg Evans
·3 min read
9
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

UPDATE, with Robert De Niro and Drena De Niro statements: Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez, a grandson of Robert De Niro who acted in A Star Is Born and Cabaret Maxime, has died. He was 19.

His death was announced Sunday by his mother Drena De Niro, the daughter of Robert De Niro and the actor’s first wife Diahnne Abbott. Additional details regarding the death were not discolosed.

More from Deadline

In a statement, actor Robert De Niro said, “I’m deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo. We’re greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone. We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo.”

Also in a statement, Drena De Niro said, “It is with immeasurable shock and sadness that we say goodbye to our beloved son Leo. We thank you for the outpouring of love and support and ask that we are given privacy at this time to process this inconsolable grief.”

In a new Instagram post, she wrote, “I can barely type through my tears but all the love, the messages, calls, texts ,emails, the friends and family that held me up these last 24 hrs I’ve not been able to respond yet but we’re grateful for the all your love and condolences. None of this is right or fair and my heart hurts in a way I never knew possible while still breathing and barely functioning. Leo my darling I love you today like the first day I held you in my arms. The same man that picked us up from the hospital when you were born drove us to the funeral home where I touched and held you for the last time . You were kindness acceptance and love and I can’t believe any of this is real YOU made everything bearable and every burden lighter. You didn’t deserve to die like this but I can only believe that God needed a strong powerful angel in their army . I’m holding you every second of every moment I’m my heart and memories until I’m with you again . My heart is broken forever . Me daddy and your family love you , I love I love you with every beat of my crying heart.”

On the initial announcement post, she wrote, “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 all that was ever pure and real in my life. 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 so made me feel in getting to be your mama. You were so deeply loved and appreciated and I wish that love alone could have saved you . I’m so sorry my baby. I’m so sorry. Rest in peace and eternal paradise my darling boy.”

Rodriguez appeared with his mother in the 2018 film A Star Is Born, in which they played mother and son Paulette Stone and Leo Stone. The two also appeared as mother-son characters in Cabaret Maxime (2018) and The Collection (2005).

Responding on Instagram to Drena De Niro’s announcement, Goodfellas actor Debi Mazar wrote, “I have no words …I’m in shock. I’m so sorry… I love you both so much.”

Naomi Campbell wrote, “Drena heartbroken for you, such a duo, I can’t imagine how you must feel, may the lord cover you and hold you in his arms, at this very sad time and loss …I love you, always here for you.” Lee Daniels wrote, “Drena may GOD keep you in his arms.”

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.