Over the span of his decades-long career, Harvey Keitel has starred in some of the greatest films in history. The New York-born actor first got his big break back in 1968, starring inMartin Scorsese's debut feature film,Who's That Knocking at My Door.In the decades that followed, Keitel would continue to rack up credits in acclaimed films such asTaxi Driver,Reservoir Dogs, The Last Temptation of Christand more.
In addition to his onscreen skills, one of his special talents has been choosing to work with some of the biggest directors before they hit it big. In addition to Scorsese, Keitel was featured in Ridley Scott's debutThe Duellists;in Quentin Tarantino's feature film debutReservoir Dogs,and with Jane Campion's Oscar-winningThe Piano, which catapulted her career.
Asked what the magic sauce is,Keitel told Stephen Colbert,"All I could describe it as is: You know that party you went to, you walked in and it's packed with people? And you saw that one girl and said, 'That's the one.' That's what it was like meeting these directors."
See the actor's life in photos as he celebrates his 87th birthday.
Harvey Keitel's Early Days
Harvey Johannes Keitel was born on May 13, 1939 in Brooklyn, New York, to Jewish immigrant parents. He attended Abraham Lincoln High School before enrolling in the Marine Corps in 1956, when he was just 16. He would serve until 1959.
Harvey Keitel Stars in 'Taxi Driver'
After leaving the military, Keitel attended HB Studio where he studied acting under famed teachers Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg. The actor would get his big break a few years later, starring as J.R. in 1968'sWho's That Knocking at My Door, Martin Scorsese's debut feature film. The two would establish a strong working relationship and Keitel would be featured in more Scorsese films such as 1973'sMean Streetsas well as 1974'sAlice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
In 1976, the two men struck gold once again withTaxi Driver,in which Keitel played Matthew Higgins, a.k.a. Sport. The film scored four Academy Award nominations and would also fortify Keitel and De Niro's famous decades-long friendship.
Harvey Keitel's Friendship with Martin Scorsese
Keitel and Scorsese would work together again in 1988'sThe Last Temptation of Christas well as 2019'sThe Irishman.Above, the pair are pictured in New York circa 1984.
Harvey Keitel's Friendship with Robert De Niro
Keitel and De Niro have been friends since their days as up-and-coming actors in New York. In fact, it was Keitel who convinced De Niro to take his acclaimed role inMean Streets.
"I remember when I was up forMean Streets,I ran into Harvey Keitel in the Village — we were friends — and he'd already been cast in the movie as Charlie,"De Niro toldInterview Magazineback in 2012. "I had done a couple of leads in movies before so I said, 'Well, careerwise, I should be playing Charlie.' I didn't say it like a wiseass. I was saying it sincerely, but not in a way that was threatening to him. Then Harvey said, 'You knew who you should play? Johnny Boy.' And that clicked. I played Johnny."
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Harvey Keitel in 'Bugsy'
Keitel continued to work in the '80s, starring in films such asOff Beat, The January Man, This Ain't Bebop, The Pickup Artist,and more. In 1991, he would score a role in Ridley Scott'sThelma & Louise,in which he played Hal, a good-natured detective trying to talk the titular characters into surrendering.
The same year, Keitel nabbed a role playing Mickey Cohen in the the critically-acclaimedBugsy(above). The film — also starring Warren Beatty as the titular character and Annette Bening as Virginia Hill — chronicled the life of Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, the mobster credited with the development of the Las Vegas strip. Cohen was Bugsy's close associate.
Harvey Keitel Goes to the Oscars
Kietel's performance in the true crime film garnered him his first and only Oscar nomination. He got a nod for Best Supporting Actor. Above, the actor is pictured blushing alongside then-girlfriend Lorraine Bracco at 1991's ceremony.
He also scored a Golden Globe nod for the same performance.
Harvey Keitel in 'Reservoir Dogs'
In 1994, Keitel once again lent his talents to a gripping crime drama, playing Mr. White in Quentin Tarantino directorial debut,Reservoir Dogs, which he also helped produce.Asked whether he had some apprehension about being led by an up-and-comer with no prior experience, Keiteltold The Bobbie Wygant Archive, "Quentin's particular script was so filled with these mythological themes about living and about coping and the writing was so extraordinary that there was no doubt in my mind that I was in the presence of an extraordinary young talent."
He would feature in three more Tarantino productions:Pulp Fiction,Inglorious Basterds,as well as the Robert Rodriguez-directedFrom Dusk Till Dawn, which Tarantino wrote.
Harvey Keitel's Personal Life
Harvey Keitel is a father of three. The actor first became a father when he welcomed daughter Stella (above) with Lorraine Bracco in 1985. Keitel and Bracco were together from 1982 to 1993. Following that relationship, he dated Lisa Karmazin, with whom he welcomed son Hudson. In 2001, he married Daphna Kastner, and they welcomed a baby boy named Roman in 2004.
Harvey Keitel Receives a Lifetime Achievement Award
In 2021, Keitel was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Newport Beach Film Festival. "The arts are where we have the chance to become something beyond what we've been before. Only the arts can transport us into understanding what is good about our nature,"the actor said as part of his acceptance speech.
Harvey Keitel Today
Harvey Keitel continues to work. The actor recently lent his talents toHellfirewhich came out in February 2026, as well asKill Code,which was released in April.
In a career retrospective withCBS Sunday Morningback in 2019, Keitel revealed that he felt Hollywood had lost interest in him, "because everything is box office." Asked if he didn't consider himself a "bankable" star, Keitel responded, "I think of myself as a former Marine who got lucky. Really lucky."
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Harvey Keitelis 87! Over the span of his decades-long career, Harvey Keitel has starred in some of the greatest films in history....
