Though he has never consistently ranked as one of the industry's most popular or highly paid stars, Robert De Niro is recognized as one of Hollywood's most well-respected actors. A Method Actor from the beginning, De Niro partially built his fame on the lengths to which he would go to immerse himself in his roles. Although his prolific career has been checkered with hits and misses, his performances have remained consistently solid. Unlike some other much higher profile actors who draw from their own experiences or always allow something of themselves to remain visible in their roles, De Niro becomes his characters, revealing nothing about himself in the process.