Robert De Niro delights fans with sweet father-daughter moment at The Wiggles concert

At 81, legendary actor Robert De Niro continues to surprise and charm — this time not on the silver screen, but as a devoted dad. In a heart-melting public appearance, the Oscar winner brought his 2-year-old daughter Gia to meet The Wiggles in New York City, offering a rare and endearing glimpse into his life as a father of seven.

A Wiggles-worthy family outing

Robert De Niro may be known for playing tough guys, but over the weekend, he showed off his softer side in a sweet family moment. Before The Wiggles’ concert in New York City, the veteran actor was spotted backstage introducing his youngest daughter, Gia, to the beloved children’s music group. The moment was documented in a series of adorable photos shared by the band on Instagram.

In one photo, De Niro is seen gently lifting Gia in his arms, beaming as they pose between two members of the Australian group. Another shot shows De Niro, Gia, and her mother, martial arts instructor Tiffany Chen, sitting together among a cloud of bubbles as they prepare to enjoy the concert. The family looked relaxed and joyful, surrounded by the colorful whimsy of the Wiggles’ world.

The Wiggles, ever enthusiastic, seemed equally thrilled. “It was such a thrill to spend some time with the legendary Robert De Niro and his family before our concert here in New York City ✨,” they wrote in the caption. A video clip from the day even shows the actor shaking hands with the performers and playing with bubbles alongside his daughter.

From tough guy to toddler dad

Though De Niro has built a career portraying gritty, complex characters in films like Taxi Driver, The Godfather Part II, and Raging Bull, off-screen he’s a proud father of seven. Gia, born in April 2023, is his youngest child and his first with Tiffany Chen. The actor’s other children include daughter Drena, 53, and son Raphael, 48, from his first marriage to Diahnne Abbott; twin sons Julian and Aaron, 29, with former girlfriend Toukie Smith; and son Elliot, 26, and daughter Helen Grace, 13, with ex-wife Grace Hightower.

Despite his age, De Niro seems fully committed to the joys and responsibilities of parenting a toddler. In February 2024, he shared in an interview with BBC Radio 2’s Scott Mills Breakfast Show that his current TV habits include watching children’s shows with Gia.

“I just want to keep up, but I watch current events, if you will — news and stuff like that,” he explained. “Now I watch, with my little girl, The Wiggles and Ms. Rachel.” He admitted he had never heard of the programs before becoming a father again, but was quickly won over. “I didn’t know of them until I started seeing them and my daughter loves to watch them. But they’re great!”

On fatherhood, aging, and doing his best

De Niro’s decision to welcome a seventh child at age 79 sparked headlines in 2023, but for the acclaimed actor, the experience of fatherhood continues to be both humbling and rewarding. Speaking with Access Hollywood at the premiere of his comedy About My Father, he opened up about the emotional complexity of parenting.

“Sometimes I don’t think people really know what being a good father is,” he said. “You know you have a responsibility, but it’s a mystery. It’s a lot of excitement, but scary — and you do your best.”

Those words resonate especially powerfully coming from De Niro, a man who has spent decades portraying complicated male figures on screen. In real life, his approach to fatherhood is grounded, reflective, and earnest. Whether he’s watching The Wiggles or walking a red carpet, it’s clear De Niro embraces this chapter of life with deep care and a willingness to grow.

The quiet joy of presence

What makes De Niro’s recent outing so striking is not just the sweetness of the photos, but what they say about presence. Amid a career that spans nearly 60 years, the two-time Academy Award winner is still finding new ways to connect — not with Hollywood, but with his family.

In an era where celebrity parenting is often carefully curated or entirely hidden, these glimpses into De Niro’s relationship with his youngest child offer something rare: authenticity. There’s no performance here — just a father delighting in a moment with his daughter, amid music, bubbles, and a group of friendly singing Australians.

It’s a reminder that joy can come from the simplest places: a child’s laughter, a silly song, a concert shared with family. And for someone who’s spent much of his life commanding the screen, it’s touching to see Robert De Niro let go of the spotlight — if only for an afternoon — and let his little girl shine.