Robert De Niro Donates Film Memorabilia to Students 6/7/06

Generous actor Robert De Niro has donated his collection of movie memorabilia to film students at a US university.

The Academy Award winner presented more than 3,000 of his own costume items and props to the University Of Texas' Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center.

The gift also included scripts, photographs from his acclaimed films Raging Bull, The Deer Hunter and Taxi Driver, as well as a full monster body cast used in the 1994 production of Frankenstein.

In a statement De Niro said, "One of the most important things about the Harry Ransom Center is that the material will be accessible to students and the public. Ultimately, that's what it's all about."

Steve Wilson, associate curator of the centre's film collection, added, "The collection will give students, film buffs and scholars a behind-the-scenes look at the career of one of the most acclaimed actors of his generation.

"I know of no other actor's archive that is as large and comprehensive as this one."