Robert De Niro is considered to be one of the greatest and most esteemed actors in Hollywood. His career in the film industry has spanned more than 50 years, during which he’s starred in several successful films.
The Manhattan-born actor has established himself as a master of several genres, nailing action, drama, and even comedy. But one of the things that even die-hard fans might not know about him is that he nearly starred in one of the most iconic Christmas movies of all time: Home Alone.
The 1990 holiday flick, which was nearly canceled during production due to budgeting issues, was a major commercial success, even without De Niro’s involvement.
But it could have been very different if the legendary actor had accepted the now-famous role. Read on to find out which character De Niro nearly played and whether or not he ever saw the film after its release.
Why ‘Home Alone’ Is A Christmas Classic
Since its 1990 release, Home Alone has been considered as one of the greatest Christmas films of all time. Starring Macaulay Culkin in the role that made him a household name, the film is about a little boy called Kevin whose family accidentally leaves him behind when they visit France for the Christmas holidays.
By the time they realize that they’ve left him back at home in Chicago, they’re already on a Paris-bound flight. Meanwhile, Kevin is having the time of his life home alone, until two burglars try to break in. Kevin thwarts their attempts by setting up several hilarious booby traps.
It was the highest-grossing live-action comedy for more than 20 years until it was surpassed by The Hangover Part II in 2011. Along with Macaulay Culkin, the film starred Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O’Hara, and John Heard.
But it nearly starred another iconic actor who, at the time, wasn’t known for his comedic skills.
The Villain In ‘Home Alone’ That Robert De Niro Turned Down
By 1990, Robert De Niro was well-known for his ability to portray a gangster. He had already starred in Once Upon a Time in America, and The Untouchables, along with his notable appearance in The Godfather franchise.
One of the most interesting facts about Home Alone, according to Mental Floss, he was also considered for the role of Harry Lime in Home Alone.
Harry Lime is one of the burglars that attempts to break into Kevin’s house in Chicago. In the end, Joe Pesci was cast in the role, which required a lot of slapstick comedy.
Robert De Niro has starred in comedic roles since, but at the time was mainly known for his dramatic acting.
Joe Pesci And Robert De Niro Are Frequent Collaborators
Like Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci had also established himself as a talented dramatic actor, also starring alongside De Niro in Goodfellas, which was released in 1990.
The two actors are frequent collaborators and have both frequently worked with director Martin Scorsese.
Joe Pesci and Robert De Niro first worked together in Scorsese’s Raging Bull and went on to work together on another six films including Once Upon a Time in America, A Bronx Tale, The Good Shepherd, Casino, and The Irishman, along with Goodfellas.
Joe Pesci’s Method Acting Approach
To portray Harry Lime perfectly, Joe Pesci used a method acting approach. “In the first Home Alone, they hung me up on a coat hook, and Pesci says, ‘I’m gonna bite all your fingers off, one at a time,’” the young lead actor told Rule Forty Two (via Mental Floss). “And during one of the rehearsals, he bit me, and it broke the skin.”
Joe Pesci also made a point of avoiding the young actor on set so he would be afraid of him when they met in rehearsals or during filming.
Based on Robert De Niro’s history of going to great lengths to prepare for movie roles, it’s safe to assume that he may have tried a similar approach had he been cast instead of Pesci.
Jon Lovitz Also Turned Down The Role
Robert De Niro wasn’t the only actor to turn down the role of Harry Lime before Joe Pesci accepted it. Mental Floss reports that Jon Lovitz, who was a cast member of Saturday Night Live at the time, also passed on the Christmas film.
Lovitz was a recurring guest voice actor on The Simpsons playing numerous characters over 20 seasons. They include Artie Ziff, Marge’s ex-prom date, theater director Llewellyn Sinclair and his sister, Jay Sherman the film critic, and paparazzo Enrico Irritazio.
Robert De Niro Didn’t Even See ‘Home Alone’
Even though Home Alone is one of the highest-grossing live-action films of all time and a beloved Christmas classic, Robert De Niro has never seen it. Not even his friend Joe Pesci starring in it has convinced him to watch it.
“No, I’ll be honest with you, I never saw Home Alone,” he revealed in an interview with Cinema Blend. “I would see it but I just didn’t. Maybe I’ll see it with one of my kids.”
