Robert De Niro's grandson Leandro has died at age 19: 'You were so deeply loved,' says the teen's mother, Drena De Niro

• Robert De Niro's grandson, actor Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, has died at the age of 19.
• De Niro's daughter Drena announced the sad passing of her "beautiful sweet angel" on Instagram.
• Leandro followed in the footsteps of his grandfather and appeared in "A Star is Born" (2018).

Robert De Niro's grandson, actor Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, has died at the age of 19, his mother — De Niro's daughter — confirmed in an Instagram post late on Sunday night.

Leandro was the son of De Niro's eldest daughter, Drena De Niro, and artist Carlos Rodriguez.

Sharing the news with her followers, Drena called Leandro "my beautiful sweet angel" and shared a moving tribute to her son. She did not reveal his cause of death.

"I have loved you beyond words or description from the moment I felt you in my belly," she wrote alongside a photo of Leandro. "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."

The post 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," she added, tagging Leandro's father.

 

"Rest in Peace and Eternal Paradise my darling boy," she concluded the post, followed by a series of broken heart and dove emojis.

Leandro followed in the footsteps of his grandfather and had begun pursuing a career in acting prior to his death. He had credits in films including "A Star is Born" (2018), "Cabaret Maxime" (2018), and "The Collection" (2005).

In response to the news, several stars shared their condolences in the comments section of Drena's post.

Director Lee Daniels wrote, "Drena may GOD keep you in his arms," and Rosie Perez commented: "Shocked! I'm so sorry! We are all here for you! I love you too much."

Leandro's father shared a blacked-out image on his own Instagram, which was likewise met with sympathies.

De Niro, who does not have social media, has not yet commented on the news.

Representatives for the 79-year-old actor, who recently welcomed a daughter with his girlfriend Tiffany Chen, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Drena is the oldest of De Niro's seven children. The star of such classics as "The Godfather: Part II," "Raging Bull," "Heat," and "Meet the Parents" adopted Drena during his first marriage to actor Diahnne Abbott. She was Abbott's daughter from her previous marriage. With Abbott, he also shares a son, Raphael, 46.

De Niro fathered twin sons, Julian and Aaron, 27, during a relationship with model Toukie Smith, and welcomed son Elliot, 24, and daughter Helen, 11, with his second wife, Grace Hightower.

Through Raphael, De Niro has three other grandchildren, according to People.