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De Niro and the Nastiest Assistant Legal Saga Ever

A $6 million suit, five million frequent-flyer miles, and angry allegations of jealousy: don’t be surprised if De Niro’s legal battle with an assistant becomes as influential as ‘Taxi Driver.’

Robert De Niro texted his girlfriend, regarding his former assistant: “The balls, the nerve, the chutzpah, the sense of entitlement: how dare her!”
Robert De Niro texted his girlfriend, regarding his former assistant: “The balls, the nerve, the chutzpah, the sense of entitlement: how dare her!” Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for for CinemaCon
Eriq Gardner
June 19, 2023

In the annals of quirky stories, Robert De Niro’s $6 million lawsuit against his former assistant, Graham Chase Robinson, for binge-watching Friends on the job, left many amused, if puzzled. But even back in 2019, when De Niro and his company sued, it was evident that there was more to the tale—especially when Robinson quickly filed her own lawsuit, claiming a toxic workplace culture for women, followed by the revelation that the legendary 79-year-old actor had attempted to convince the Manhattan District Attorney to bring a criminal case against her.