Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, the grandson of Hollywood star Robert De Niro, has died suddenly at just 19 years old.
Leandro was the son of De Niro’s adopted daughter Drena and artist Carlos Rodriguez.
The teen was following in his grandfather’s footsteps as an actor and appeared in the 2018 movie “A Star is Born.”
The tragic news was revealed by Drena, who paid tribute to her late son in a heartfelt Instagram post on Monday.
Drena shared a picture of her son and a poignant caption in which she declared “I wish that love alone could have saved you.”
The post began: “My beautiful sweet angel.
“I have loved you beyond words or description from the moment I felt you in my belly.
“You have been my joy my heart and all that was ever pure and real in my life.
“I wish I was with you right now. I wish I was with you.”
Drena continued: “I don’t know how to live without you but I’ll try to go on and spread the love and light that you so made me feel in getting to be your mama.
“You were so deeply loved and appreciated and I wish that love alone could have saved you.
“I’m so sorry my baby, I’m so sorry @carlosmare.
“Rest in Peace and Eternal Paradise my darling boy.”
She was immediately flooded with messages of condolences, with one friend commenting: “Drena don’t tell me it’s true tell me you’re joking because I can’t believe Leo isn’t with us anymore.
“It’s horrible news to digest.
“Drena my heart is with you and Carlos and your loved ones – I love you ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️”
Drena responded: “I know I still hope this is a nightmare and I’ll wake up tomorrow.”
Victoria Gotti, the daughter of mob boss John Gotti, commented she was “heartbroken” and had “no words” following Leandro’s death.
She wrote of Leandro: “You were such a playful handsome amicable and amazing young boy who grew into an amazing young man!
“May you rest my dear boy and I was so blessed to have shared Thanksgiving with you—such a bright intelligent and well-mannered young man.
“A young life cut far too short.”
Actress Rosie Perez Brooklyn wrote: “Shocked! I’m so sorry!
“We are all here for you !!! I love you too much!”
Director and producer Lee Daniels wrote: “Drena may God keep you in his arms.”
Leandro’s father Carlos did not pay a public tribute to his late son but shared an image of a black square on his Instagram page without a caption.
Aspiring actor and director Leandro was following in his mother and grandfather’s career footsteps, landing small roles in 2018’s “A Star Is Born” and “Cabaret Maxime” and 2005’s “The Collection.”
His mother Drena was adopted by De Niro, and took his surname, after the actor married her mother, Diahnne Abbott, in 1976.
Robert De Niro has not commented publicly on his grandson’s death.
No cause of death or any other details have been made public.
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