Although Robert De Niro is known for his roles as the quintessential bad guy in major movie productions, the legendary actor showed his softer side in a recent interview with Out magazine, where he opened up about his gay father.

During the interview, the "Taxi Driver" star talked about his new HBO documentary, titled "Remembering the Artist: Robert De Niro, Sr.," which is based on his father's life and work as an artist.

"We were not the type of father and son who played baseball together, as you can surmise," the 70-year-old Oscar winner told Out ahead of the film's June 9 premiere. "But we had a connection. I wasn't with him a lot because my mother and he were separated and divorced. As I say in the documentary, I looked after him in certain ways."

He added, "He was absent in some ways. He was very loving. He adored me ... as I do my kids."

The "Goodfellas" star went on to describe his dad, who died of cancer as a figurative painter 20 years ago, as "always a great artist."

In regard to his father's sexuality, he said, "He probably was [conflicted about being gay], being from that generation, especially from a small town upstate."

He added, "I wish we had spoken about it much more. My mother didn't want to talk about things in general, and you're not interested when you're a certain age."

When asked if he was coming out on behalf of his late father, he said, "I felt I had to. I felt obligated. It was my responsibility to make a documentary about him. I was always planning on doing it but never did.

"For my kids, I want them to stop and take a moment and realize that you sometimes have to do things now instead of later because later may be 20 years from now -- and that's too late."