You’ve seen the name. De Niro. It carries a certain weight, doesn't it? Usually, it conjures up images of a young Vito Corleone or the intensity of Travis Bickle. But for Aaron and Julian De Niro, that name isn't a movie credit. It’s just "Dad."
The twins were born on October 20, 1995. They arrived via surrogate to Robert De Niro and his then-partner, model and actress Toukie Smith. For nearly three decades, these two were the "mystery" children of the De Niro dynasty. While their older siblings Drena and Raphael were somewhat known in the industry, the twins stayed in the shadows.
Honestly, that was likely by design.
The Breaking of the "Quiet" Era
For a long time, if you searched for Aaron and Julian De Niro, you'd find almost nothing. Just a couple of grainy paparazzi shots from the late 90s. But things shifted. Specifically, they shifted in 2022 and then again in early 2025.
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Julian decided to step into the light. Not just a little bit, but in a "portraying one of the most famous men in history" kind of way. He played a young Barack Obama in the Showtime series The First Lady. People were shocked. Not because he was an actor, but because he was good. He had that same quiet intensity his father is famous for, but with a different, more modern polish.
But then there's Aaron. Or rather, the person the world knew as Aaron Kendrick De Niro.
In April 2025, a major headline hit the LGBTQIA+ publication Them. Aaron came out as transgender. Now known to many in her private and burgeoning public life as Airyn De Niro, she broke the mold of the "private De Niro kid" in a way that felt both brave and incredibly authentic. It wasn't a press tour. It was a statement of self.
Julian: The Math Whiz Who Chose the Camera
Julian is a bit of a contradiction. Most "nepo babies"—and yeah, he technically fits the label—rush straight to Hollywood. Julian didn't.
He went to NYU. That’s normal for a New York kid, sure. But he didn't just sleep through some "Intro to Film" classes. He double-majored in computer science and math.
Think about that for a second. The son of the greatest actor of his generation spent his nights at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences. He even co-authored a study published in The Washington Post back in 2018. It was a massive data analysis of 600 million tweets to figure out what people "craved" most. Turns out, it was love and more time.
Kinda poetic, right?
Even though he has the tech chops, the acting bug was clearly in the DNA. He studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, the same place his father honed his craft. Besides the Obama role, he’s popped up in James Franco’s In Dubious Battle and the miniseries Zero Day. He isn't taking the easy route. He's picking projects that require actual work.
Airyn (Aaron) De Niro and the New Public Life
For years, the narrative was: "Julian is the actor, Aaron is the private one." That’s outdated now.
Airyn (formerly Aaron) has recently been spotted more frequently in New York City. In 2025, photos surfaced of her with Robert, sporting a bold new look—pink dreadlocks and heeled boots. It was a vibe. A total departure from the "smart attire" seen in the few childhood photos available.
When she came out as trans in early 2025, she expressed gratitude. She thanked her parents for keeping her out of the limelight as a kid. It gave her the space to figure out who she was without a million people watching her grow through a lens.
"Obviously no parent is perfect, but I am grateful that both my parents agreed to keep me out of the limelight."
That quote from her interview with Them really hits home. It shows the difference between the "famous for being famous" crowd and a family that actually tries to protect its own.
Why the De Niro Twins Matter Now
We’re living in a time where celebrity kids are usually "influencers" by age twelve. Julian and Airyn are different. They are 30 years old now. They spent their 20s becoming actual human beings before they became "public figures."
Julian is a bridge between the old-school Method acting of his father and the data-driven world of the 2020s. Airyn is becoming a symbol of authenticity in a family that has historically been very guarded.
It’s also worth noting the family dynamic. Robert De Niro has seven kids now. Seven. The age gap is wild. Drena is 54; baby Gia is just a toddler. The twins sit right in the middle. They are the pivot point of the family.
What You Should Actually Know:
- Julian is the one you’ll see on screen. Keep an eye on his IMDb; he’s selective.
- Airyn (formerly Aaron) is carving out a space in the fashion and activism world, but still values her privacy.
- The Mother: Toukie Smith is a legend in her own right. She was a trailblazing Black model in the 70s and 80s. The twins' heritage is a huge part of who they are.
- The Surrogacy: They were among the first high-profile celebrity children born via surrogate in the mid-90s, something that was quite rare and talked about at the time.
Moving Forward
If you’re looking for gossip, you won't find much. This isn't a family that does reality TV. They do "the work."
If you want to follow Julian's career, watch The First Lady. It’s the best evidence that he’s not just there because of his last name. If you're interested in the path Airyn is taking, look for her upcoming work in the LGBTQIA+ advocacy space.
The biggest takeaway here? The name De Niro is evolving. It’s no longer just about tough guys in suits. It’s about math, data, identity, and the courage to change the narrative three decades in.
To stay updated on their actual projects rather than tabloid rumors, check the trade publications like Deadline or Them. Avoid the "fan accounts" on Instagram; they usually just repost old photos from 1998 and get the names wrong anyway. Focus on the work they are putting out now.