Robert De Niro is widely regarded as one of the best actors of his generation, so it may surprise you to learn how long he went without making a truly great movie. (Sure, we all laughed at “Meet the Parents” back in 2000, but "Meet the Parents" is no “The Deer Hunter.”) The Oscar nomination De Niro earned with his supporting role in last year's "Silver Linings Playbook" is his first since 1991, when he played that crazy guy who clings to the bottom of Nick Nolte's car in "Cape Fear." And he hasn't won an Academy Award since 1981, when he portrayed the tormented boxer Jake LaMotta in "Raging Bull."


If you want an idea of how long ago that was, here is a video of a young De Niro accepting his award from Sally Field:


If you want a few more ideas, keep reading.


On the day Robert De Niro won his last Oscar:


· The No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 was “Rapture” by Blondie.


· The No. 1 movie at the box office was "Omen III: The Final Conflict," starring Sam Neill.


· Joseph Gordon-Levitt was a little over one month old.


· Dan Rather had been the host of the "CBS Evening News" for three weeks.


· The most watched television show was “Dallas.” (In 2012, “Dallas” was revived featuring some members of the original cast.)


Since March 31, 1981, the day Robert De Niro won his last Oscar:


· The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has handed out 726 Oscars.


· De Niro has acted in 66 movies.


· Fellow 1981 Best Actor nominees Robert Duvall, John Hurt, Jack Lemmon and Peter O’Toole have won a combined total of one Oscar. (It was Duvall, for “Tender Mercies.”)


· Sally Field, who announced his win, won an Oscar for “Places in the Heart,” ON DATE TK, then suffered an even longer nomination drought than De Niro -- until scoring a nod this year for “Lincoln.”


· A space shuttle went into orbit for the first time (April 12, 1981).


· Lawrence Taylor was drafted with the second pick in the NFL draft by the New York Giants on April 28, 1981


· A few months after that, Tony Gwynn was drafted out of San Diego State University to play baseball for the San Diego Padres. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame six years ago.


· Natalie Portman was born June 9, 1981.


· MTV launched on August 1, 1981.


· De Niro became one of the last people to see John Belushi alive on March 5, 1982.


· Red Dawn, released in 1984, has since been remade as a blatant nostalgia-fest.


· Roberto Benigni has won an Oscar.


· Robert De Niro co-starred with Bullwinkle.


· De Niro's future “Silver Linings Playbook” co-star and fellow nominee Jennifer Lawrence was born August 15, 1990.


· Fellow Oscar nominee Quvenzhané Wallis was born on August 28, 2003.


Mike Ryan is senior writer for Huffington Post Entertainment. You can contact him directly on Twitter.



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  • Ben Affleck


    Ben Affleck, center, and the cast of argo accept the award for outstanding cast in a motion picture for “Argo” at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)




  • Modern Family


    The cast of "Modern Family" poses backstage with the award for ensemble in a comedy series at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)




  • Amy Poehler, Neil Patrick Harris


    Amy Poehler, right, and Neil Patrick Harris present the award for outstanding male actor in a drama series at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)




  • Jared Harris, Daniel Day-Lewis


    Jared Harris, left, and Daniel Day-Lewis pose in the audience at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)




  • Julianne Moore


    Julianne Moore smiles backstage with the award for outstanding female actor in a TV movie or miniseries for “Game Change” at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)




  • Bryan Cranston


    Bryan Cranston accepts the award for outstanding male actor in a drama series for “Breaking Bad” at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)




  • Dick Van Dyke


    Dick Van Dyke poses backstage with the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)




  • Jessica Chastain


    Jessica Chastain speaks onstage at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)




  • Anne Hathaway


    Actress Anne Hathaway poses backstage with the award for best female actor in a supporting role for “Les Miserables” at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)




  • Lea Michele, Cory Monteith


    Lea Michele, left, and Cory Monteith arrives at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)




  • Justin Timberlake, James Marsden


    Justin Timberlake, left, and James Marsden arrive at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)




  • Sacha Baron Cohen, left, and Daniel Day


    Sacha Baron Cohen, left, and Daniel Day Lewis appear in the audience at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)




  • John Krasinski


    John Krasinski arrives at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)




  • Sacha Baron Cohen, Hugh Jackman


    Sacha Baron Cohen, right, and Hugh Jackman pose for a photo in the audience at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)




  • Damian Lewis, Aaron Paul


    Damian Lewis, left, and Aaron Paul talk together in the audience at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)




  • Jennifer Lawrence


    Jennifer Lawrence reacts as she is announced the winner of the award for outstanding female actor in a leading role for “Silver Linings Playbook” at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)




  • Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro


    Jennifer Lawrence, left, and Robert De Niro kiss as she accepts the award for outstanding female actor in a leading role for “Silver Linings Playbook” at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)




  • Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro


    Robert De Niro watches as Jennifer Lawrence accepts the award for outstanding female actor in a leading role for “Silver Linings Playbook” at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)




  • Daniel Day-Lewis


    Daniel Day-Lewis accepts the awards for outstanding male actor in a leading role for “Lincoln” at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)




  • Jessica Chastain, Jesse Tyler Ferguson


    Jessica Chastain, left, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson pose in the audience at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)




  • Jon Hamm; Jennifer Westfeldt


    Actors Jon Hamm, left, and Jennifer Westfeldt arrive at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)




  • Modern Family


    The cast of "Modern Family" poses backstage with the award for ensemble in a comedy series at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)




  • Alec Baldwin


    Alec Baldwin poses backstage with the award for outstanding male actor in a comedy series for “30 Rock” at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)




  • Naomi Watts, Harvey Weinstein


    Naomi Watts, left, and Harvey Weinstein pose in the audience at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)




  • Isla Fisher, Russell Crowe


    Isla Fisher, left, and Russell Crowe pose in the audience at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)




  • Tina Fey, James Marsden


    Tina Fey, left, and James Marsden pose in the audience at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)




  • Amanda Seyfried, Isla Fisher


    Amanda Seyfried, left, and Isla Fisher pose in the audience at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)




  • Ben Affleck


    Ben Affleck accepts the award for outstanding cast in a motion picture for “Argo” at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)




  • Anne Hathaway, Adam Shulman


    Anne Hathaway, center, and Adam Shulman, right, stand in the audience at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)




  • Daniel Day-Lewis


    Actor Daniel Day-Lewis poses backstage with the award for best male actor in a leading role at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)




  • Phyllis Logan; Michelle Dockery; Allen Leech: Amy Nuttall; Sophie McShera


    Actors, from left, Phyllis Logan, Michelle Dockery, Allen Leech, Amy Nuttall and Sophie McShera pose backstage with the award for best ensemble in a drama series for “Downton Abbey” at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)




  • Claire Danes


    Actress Claire Danes poses backstage with the award for best female actor in a drama series at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)




  • Argo


    The cast of "Argo" poses backstage with the award for best cast in a motion picture at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)




  • Daniel Day-Lewis


    Actor Daniel Day-Lewis poses backstage with the award for best male actor in a leading role at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)




  • Ben Affleck


    Actor Ben Affleck poses backstage with the award for best cast in a motion picture for "Argo" at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)




  • US-SCREEN ACTORS GUILD-TROPHY


    Actress Anne Hathaway, winner of Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for 'Les Miserables,' poses in the press room during the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards held at The Shrine Auditorium on January 27, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. AFP PHOTO / Frederic J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)




  • US-SCREEN ACTORS GUILD-TROPHY


    Actress Anne Hathaway, winner of Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for 'Les Miserables,' poses in the press room during the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards held at The Shrine Auditorium on January 27, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. AFP PHOTO / Frederic J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)




  • Jennifer Lawrence


    Jennifer Lawrence arrives at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Stiles


    Julia Stiles arrives at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)




  • Melanie Lynskey


    Actress Melanie Lynskey arrives at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)




  • Naya Rivera


    Naya Rivera arrives at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)




  • Amy Poehler


    Amy Poehler arrives at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)




  • Naya Rivera


    Naya Rivera arrives at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)




  • Amanda Seyfried


    Amanda Seyfried arrives at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)




  • Neil Patrick Harris


    Neil Patrick Harris arrives at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)




  • Elisabeth Moss


    Actress Elisabeth Moss arrives at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)




  • Neil Patrick Harris


    Neil Patrick Harris arrives at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)




  • Jennifer Lawrence


    Actress Jennifer Lawrence arrives at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)




  • Amy Poehler


    Amy Poehler arrives at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)




  • Matthew Morrison


    Actor Matthew Morrison, right, and guest arrive at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)




  • Daniel Day Lewis


    Daniel Day Lewis arrives at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday Jan. 27, 2013. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)