Diahnne Abbott

Diahnne Abbott is an American actress from New York City. She is primarily known as the first wife of actor Robert De Niro (1943-). Their marriage lasted from 1976 to 1988, and ended in a divorce. Abbott made her film debut in the psychological thriller "Taxi Driver" (1976), where she played an unnamed box office clerk at a pornographic movie theatre. Her first named film role was her portrayal of receptionist Jeannette Ross in the drama film "Welcome to L.A." (1976). In the film Ross has an affair with song-writer Carroll Barber (played by Keith Carradine). Abbott next played a Harlem Club singer in the musical drama "New York, New York" (1977), where she performed the song "Honeysuckle Rose" (1929). Abbott had a more substantial role as bartender Rita Keene in the black comedy "The King of Comedy" (1983). Keene is the love interest of the protagonist, stand-up comedian Rupert Pupkin (played by Robert De Niro). Abbott's other films of the 1980s included the dysfunctional family-themed drama "Love Streams" (1984) and the autobiographical film "Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling" (1986). Her role of Mother represented the mother of protagonist Jo Jo Dancer (played by Richard Pryor ). In 1988, Abbott had her first recurring role in television, playing the character of Sonia in the three final episodes of the short-lived crime-drama Crime Story" (1986-1988). Her role ended in May, 1988, when the series was canceled. Abbott was mostly out of the public eye during the 1990s. She returned to film roles with a minor part in the biographical film "Before Night Falls" (2000). The film concerned the life of Cuban novelist Reinaldo Arenas (1943-1990). In 2002, Abbott had her first protagonist role as opera singer Leah in the drama film "Soliloquy". Abbott has made several film appearances since then, though rarely in major roles.