De Niro dismisses mob photo
ROBERT DE NIRO has dismissed rumours he arranged meetings with a mob boss to research his role in crime comedy ANALYZE THIS - insisting he doesn't recall taking a never-before-seen photo with a gangster on set.
The Oscar-winning actor, who is famous for meticulously researching his roles, played a neurotic mafioso in the 1999 movie.
A source tells the New York Daily News Anthony Corozzo - an associate of the infamous Gambino crime family, who played an extra in Analyze This - introduced De Niro to mobster Anthony 'Fat Andy' Ruggiano. Ruggiano died in March 1999 and was involved in at least seven murders.
A photograph of the pair taken in De Niro's trailer has sparked rumours the actor set up meetings with members of the ruthless crime family to prepare for his role.
But De Niro's spokesperson Stan Rosenfeld insists the movie was made far too long ago for the actor to remember Ruggiano.
Rosenfeld adds: "Bob (De Niro) seldom, if ever, discusses his research techniques."
