He’s known for playing some of the most intimidating stone-faced gangsters in film history.

But Robert De Niro, 81, put on a menacing display on This Morning on Tuesday that made the likes of Goodfellas’ Jimmy Conway and Heat’s Neil McCauley seem tame.

Taking a seat on the ITV daytime show with Debra Messing ahead of his latest mobster flick The Alto Knights, the Hollywood icon looked like he would rather be anywhere else.

Chatting with presenter Alison Hammond, Robert would not be moved on the subjects of acting dogs, mafia films or even the movie he was promoting.

The most excruciating moment came when Alison, 50, attempted to liven things up a touch with a novel game concept that pitted the famously cagey Casino actor against his current co-star Debra. 

The ice-breaker involved reading unusual nicknames out to the pair and asking them to guess if they were real gangster names or just those of her old school pals.

Robert De Niro, 81, put on a menacing display on This Morning on Tuesday that made the likes of Goodfellas’ Jimmy Conway and Heat’s Neil McCauley seem tame

Taking a seat on the ITV daytime show with Debra Messing and Alison Hammond ahead of his latest mobster flick The Alto Knights, the icon looked like he would rather be anywhere else

Robert plays the two leads in The Alto Knights, Frank Costello (pictured, with Debra as Bobbie Costello) and Vito Genovese, as their families go toe-to-toe for supremacy in 1950s New York

Robert struggled at the quiz and was ultimately beaten by Debra, who received flowers as a prize.

Whether it was his lack of skill at the game or its quirky concept that caused The Taxi Driver to put on a face that screamed, ‘Are you talking to me?’, is unclear, but viewers immediately took to social media to sink their claws into the interview in the minutes after it aired.

One amused X user said: ‘#thismorning Robert De Niro was straight on the phone to his agent after that.’

Another added: ‘He’s definitely thinking how the f*** did i get here #thismorning’

A third said: ‘I don’t think Robert is impressed #thismorning’

One viewer posted a GIF of a character saying, ‘So embarrᴀssing’. 

Another said: ‘Go on robert di nero give us nothing! #ThisMorning’

A sixth referred to a previous conversation topic in the painful interview and added: ‘Talking about dried snot to Hollywood stars is always a winner #ThisMorning’

Viewers immediately took to social media to sink their claws into the interview in the minutes after it aired

Another posted: ‘It’s weird how proud they are of Alison’s c**p interview skills #thismorning’

And one user added: ‘It always about Alison in the end! #thismorning’

Robert plays the two leads in The Alto Knights, Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, as their rival families go toe-to-toe for supremacy in 1950s New York.

After playing so many gangsters in a 50-year career, the Irishman star was asked why he decided to take the parts.

He simply said: ‘I thought [playing two roles] was more of a justifiable reason to do another gangster movie other than working with all the people I’ve worked with over the years.’

Debra added: ‘I went back and watched all of his gangster films. I pinched myself, this is a very special project. It was challenging mostly because she’s a real person. There’s something delicious about doing a period piece, it helps you lose yourself.’ 

The Raging Bull actor, who welcomed his seventh child Gia in 2023 aged 79, was then asked about the difficulties of shooting scenes with dogs in his latest movie.

Robert said: ‘The dogs didn’t know what was going on, this wasn’t a walk they did every day.’

The most excruciating moment came when Alison attempted to liven things up with a novel game concept that pitted the famously cagey Casino actor against his current co-star Debra

After playing so many gangsters in a 50-year career, the Irishman star was asked why he decided to take the parts

Debra added: ‘I went back and watched all of his gangster films. I pinched myself, this is a very special project

Alison jokingly asked, ‘Did they get paid?’, to which the film star replied bluntly: ‘That’s a good question.’

A particularly awkward moment came when Robert seemingly did not grasp an example of common modern parlance as he was asked how it felt ‘being known as a GOAT [Greatest Of All Time]’.

Read More The One Show viewers concerned for ‘confused and awkward’ Robert de Niro – asking ‘what’s wrong?’

‘What’s that?’ he said baffled, before being filled in on its meaning and adding: ‘That’s a nice feeling, I’m flattered.’ 

Last week, The One Show expressed concern for a ‘confused and awkward’ Robert after a live interview left them asking ‘what’s wrong with him’.

The BBC’s evening programme saw the A-Lister feature alongside presenters Alex Jones and Clara Amfo as well as other stars.

During the instalment Robert was asked to give advice to 15-year-old Owen Cooper, who starred in the new Netflix drama, Adolescence.

Robert told the young actor: ‘Well, I think he’s off to a good start, that’s the main thing.

‘And just keep at it. Keep at it! Do…I mean he’s there. Now it’s common sense, what to do, what not to do.

Last week, The One Show expressed concern for a ‘confused and awkward’ Robert de Niro after a live interview left them asking ‘what’s wrong with him’ 

During the instalment Robert was asked to give advice to 15-year-old Owen Cooper, who starred in the new Netflix drama, Adolescence 

‘Try to stay out of trouble and all that stuff and you’ll do well. You’ll do well!’

However, his flat response sparked concern in some viewers, who took to social media to share their thoughts.

One posted on X: ‘Had to pause Robert de Niro giving career advice so I can fast forward it, awkward as sh*** #Theoneshow.’;

‘What’s wrong with Robert de Niro he looks so confused #TheOneShow.’;

Others thought the star looked ‘disinterested’ on the programme and one penned: ‘Well I watched it, De Niro was disinterested and didn’t want to be there.’