Taxi Driver
1976 film by Martin Scorsese · Released February 8, 1976
Taxi Driver is a 1976 American neo-noir psychological drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Paul Schrader. Set in New York City in a time of urban decay following the Vietnam War, it stars Robert De Niro as taxi driver Travis Bickle, whose mental state deteriorates as he works nights in the city, eventually having a mental breakdown and becoming a vigilante. The film also features Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd, Harvey Keitel, Peter Boyle, Leonard Harris and Albert Brooks (in his first feature film role). Filming began in summer 1975, with actors taking pay cuts to ensure that the project could be completed on its low budget of $1.9 million ($11.4 million in 2025).
Cast ages when filming began (1975)
- Robert De Niro, as Travis Bickle: 31–32
- Jodie Foster, as Iris Steensma: 12–13
- Cybill Shepherd, as Betsy: 24–25
- Harvey Keitel, as Matthew "Sport" Higgins: 35–36
- Peter Boyle, as Wizard: 39–40
- Albert Brooks, as Tom: 27–28
- Leonard Harris, as Senator Charles Palantine: 45–46
- Martin Scorsese: 32–33
- Diahnne Abbott: 30
- Victor Argo, as Melio: 40–41
- Harry Northup, as Doughboy: 34–35