Actor Robert De Niro has admitted that balancing a career with fatherhood is a constant struggle against guilt for which there is no secret formula.
Speaking to People magazine, the actor explained that managing parental responsibilities is simply a matter of daily management. He said that a parent can never escape feeling guilty when missing moments when they ought to be present, or when they believe they should have been there.
The two-time Oscar winner shared his thoughts on parenting alongside the release of his latest film, the Netflix psychological thriller The Whisper Man. In the movie, De Niro portrays the estranged father of a character played by Adam Scott, whose son becomes the victim of a kidnapping.
Although the storyline centers on the pursuit of an elusive serial killer, the core of the film explores the complex relationship between a father and his child, alongside the ongoing struggle of parents to do the best they can.
De Niro, 83, is widely recognized as one of the most influential actors of his generation, having won Academy Awards for his roles in The Godfather Part II and Raging Bull. Netflix released the thriller across its global streaming platform on August 28, 2026.
Fatherhood as a New Experience
Reflecting on his personal life as a father of seven children, De Niro described becoming a parent for the first time as a completely novel experience.
He noted that raising a child comes without any formal training or seminars. Instead, he said that parents must simply dive into the deep end, have the child, and find a way to get by.
His co-star Adam Scott echoed those sentiments, emphasizing that external advice cannot prepare anyone for the reality of becoming a parent.
Scott explained that regardless of how much advice a person receives or how clearly others try to explain it, stepping into parenthood is a brand new situation that cannot be anticipated in advance. He added that, in his own experience, a person has to live through it directly to understand how to adapt to the parental role.
Scott, an American actor best known for his roles in television and film, has two children with his wife, Naomi Scott.
Cast and Release Details
In addition to De Niro and Scott, the ensemble cast of The Whisper Man features Michelle Monaghan, Hamish Linklater, Michael Keaton, Owen Teague, and Axton Luca Porto.
The movie became available for streaming on Netflix on August 28, 2026.
