Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese mark emotional milestone with friends and family by their side

Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese marked an incredible milestone together as they were awarded the Legion of Honor by French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to New York City.

While Martin became a Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor at the event, Robert was distinguished as an Officer of the Legion of Honor.

The director was recognized for his advocacy to preserve world cinema heritage and his fight for independent theaters, and his friend was recognized for his support of media literacy and independent creation.

The duo have worked on 10 feature films and one short film together, starting with their collaboration on 1973’s Mean Streets. After accepting their award from President Macron, the pair shared a sweet sideways hug, and Martin was visibly emotional as he turned to look at his daughter, Francesca Scorsese.

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Several A-list stars came to support Robert and Martin, including Leonardo DiCaprio, who has worked with the director on films like The Departed, Shutter Island, The Wolf of Wall Street and Killers of the Flower Moon.

Also in attendance was Daniel Day-Lewis, who collaborated on Gangs of New York and The Age of Innocence with Martin, and Jodie Foster, who worked with both Martin and Robert on Taxi Driver.

Decades of friendship 

Robert and Martin’s decades-long friendship is legendary and has produced some of cinema’s most celebrated films, including Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas and Killers of the Flower Moon.

“I’ve always said, [I’m] very lucky to have started working with Marty in my late 20s and done all these projects together,” Robert told People of their close bond. 

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They grew up in New York together but didn’t become friends until years later when they met at a dinner party.  

“I saw [Martin’s film] Who’s That Knocking [at My Door], and I said, ‘That was a really terrific movie,'” Robert recalled. “He said, ‘I have the script.’ And Mean Streets was at that time called Season of the Witch, and so that’s how it started.”

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“I always say this, he’s good with everyone. He allows people to do what they can do best and then he’ll direct from there,” the Oscar winner shared. 

“He has very clear ideas but knows not to impose anything and lets people just feel free enough to be expressed as much as they can through whatever they’re doing.”

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Meanwhile, Martin praised Robert’s dedication to any role he takes on. “When Bob commits to a role, he starts digging in with research, questions about absolutely everything, from what the character wears to what he eats for breakfast,” the 83-year-old said.  

“At this point, I treasure the sheer longevity, the shared experience and knowledge. The trust. The love. And also, the desire to explore together, to go further.”