Known globally for his smooth charisma, classical training, and, of course, his decade-spanning role as the cunning Loki, the God of Mischief, actor Tom Hiddleston revealed an unexpected talent that earned him a legion of new fans: masterful impressions. The moment that solidified this reputation occurred when Hiddleston took the daring step of impersonating Hollywood legend Robert De Niro—while De Niro himself was sitting right next to him. The unforgettable comedy moment took place during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show in October 2015.
A Scene from Heat Becomes an Instant Classic
Hiddleston was seated next to fellow guests Anne Hathaway, Kenneth Branagh (who had directed him in Thor), and Robert De Niro, who was promoting his film The Intern. When asked about his repertoire of impersonations, Hiddleston gave a brief, charming disclaimer, saying, “It’s an expression of admiration, just to be clear!”—before launching into his skit. His performance peaked when he decided to recreate his favorite scene: the iconic diner meeting from Michael Mann’s 1995 crime drama, Heat.
The Ultimate Audition: How Tom Hiddleston Impersonated Robert De Niro Right in Front of the Legend
Hiddleston performed the entire, intense face-to-face scene where De Niro’s criminal character, Neil McCauley, meets with Al Pacino’s detective character, Lt. Vincent Hanna. To the delight of the audience and his fellow guests, Hiddleston flawlessly performed both sides of the intense dialogue, expertly switching between the mumbling intensity of De Niro and the more frenetic, high-energy delivery of Pacino. De Niro watched the display with an amused, slightly skeptical expression that quickly turned to genuine appreciation. After Hiddleston finished, the screen legend joined the applause, giving his official “stamp of approval” and later confessing that the scene itself was one of his favorite pieces of writing in the film. The moment quickly went viral, with clips of the performance circulating widely across the internet and cementing Hiddleston’s reputation as one of the best celebrity impersonators in Hollywood.
The Power of Comedy and Vulnerability
The successful impression—especially given the extreme pressure of performing it for the subject himself—opened up a new dimension for Hiddleston’s public persona. Fans who previously only knew him for his dramatic or epic fantasy roles, such as Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Jonathan Pine in The Night Manager, or F. Scott Fitzgerald in Midnight in Paris, suddenly saw his genuine comedic timing and vulnerability. His impressive range of impersonations—which also famously includes Christopher Walken and Owen Wilson—further demonstrated a mastery of vocal and physical performance that extended far beyond his scripted roles. Hiddleston’s charmingly meta performance—performing an iconic scene from De Niro’s filmography to De Niro himself—proved that the British actor possessed a rare combination of skill and courage, melting the hearts of fans who appreciated his deep respect for film history and his willingness to risk embarrassment for a laugh.