Joe Klamar / AFP - Getty Images

Robert De Niro in front of TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood on Monday.

Robert De Niro cemented his legacy as a Hollywood icon long ago, thanks to Oscar-winning roles in "Raging Bull" and "The Godfather: Part II." Monday he took a more literal approach by actually putting his footprints, handprints and signature in concrete in front of the TCL Chinese Theater.

The actor's classic film roles include "Mean Streets" (1973), "Taxi Driver" (1976), "The Deer Hunter" (1978), "The King of Comedy" (1983), "Midnight Run" (1988), "Goodfellas" (1990), "Cape Fear" (1991) and "Casino" (1995), among others.

The 69-year-old De Niro is nominated for another Oscar this year, for his supporting role in "Silver Linings Playbook."

De Niro was joined at Monday's ceremony by his wife Grace Hightower and by fellow actor Billy Crystal, who starred with De Niro in 1995's "Analyze This."

Jonathan Alcorn / Reuters

Joe Klamar / AFP - Getty Images

Joe Klamar / AFP - Getty Images

Everett Collection

Robert De Niro as "Raging Bull" and Sylvester Stallone as "Rocky."

He may be currently busy campaigning for a potential next Oscar nomination for "Silver Linings Playbook," but Robert De Niro is working hard on another upcoming project: The 2014-scheduled film "Grudge Match," in which he plays a retired boxer. So who will the former "Raging Bull" pugilist go up against in the film?

Sylvester Stallone. Naturally! 

The pairing was announced back in October on Deadline, which noted that "Entourage" creator/writer Doug Ellin was crafting the storyline. But as Showbiz411 noted, the actors are now training together, which means "Raging Bull" is practicing battle scenes with "Rocky."

De Niro, 69, won his second Oscar for playing Jake LaMotta in 1980's "Raging Bull," while Stallone, 66, made a string of films as Rocky Balboa starting in 1976. (He earned two Oscar nominations for the original film.)

It's nearly as good as a "Star Wars"/"Star Trek" mashup. 

Wednesday night, Showbiz411 reports, De Niro was toasted along with "Playbook" director David O. Russell at a dinner following a Screen Actors Guild screening of the film in New York. The actor told reporter Roger Friedman that he'd been working out with a trainer, and was excited to work with Stallone.

Not as excited as we'll be, once the film finally comes out.

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Amanda Schwab / AP

Actor Robert De Niro on Wednesday apologized for joking at a Democratic fundraiser with Michelle Obama about the possibility of having a "white first lady" at the White House after November's presidential elections.

The Oscar-winning star of "The Godfather: Part II" and "Raging Bull" said he had intended no offense with the remark about the wives of Republican presidential contenders Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney.

"My remarks, although spoken with satirical jest, were not meant to offend or embarrass anyone -- especially the first lady," De Niro said in a statement.

De Niro found himself in hot water after Monday's fundraiser in New York when he introduced Michelle Obama as the main speaker.

"Callista Gingrich, Karen Santorum, Ann Romney. Now do you really think our country is ready for a white first lady?" De Niro said. "Too soon, right?"

Newt Gingrich called the remarks inexcusable and divisive. Michelle Obama's office said the joke was "inappropriate."

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