Robert De Niro has said Hillary Clinton should be president, insisting she has 'earned the right' to be elected. The Hollywood legend, 71, who has been a long-time supporter of the Democratic Party, said if the former Secretary of State is voted into the White House there will be 'no surprises'. In an interview with the Daily Beast, the Goodfellas star said she had paid her dues, adding: 'It’s that simple. And she’s a woman, which is very important because her take on things may be what we need right now.' Robert De Niro, 71, (pictured with Hillary Clinton at a New York benefit in 2013), said if the former Secretary of State is voted into the White House there will be 'no surprises' He was joined by American producer and Tribeca Film Festival co-founder Jane Rosenthal. She also gave her backing to the ex-First Lady, saying: 'She’s smart, has run things before, and knows how government works and how to get things done. 'She’s watched it from the sidelines, and the frontlines.' De Niro joined Clinton last December was they were both honored at the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights annual gala. His political punditry however is not something new. In 2006, while promoting The Good Shepherd, he appeared on Hardball opposite Matt Damon at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Host Chris Matthews asked De Niro who he would like to be president in the future. The veteran actor replied: 'Well, I think of two people: Hillary Clinton and Obama.' While continuing to build his stellar film career, he has also become a donor for the Democratic party. The Goodfellas star says Cliton has 'paid her dues' and insisted the Democrat has 'earned the right to be head of this country' In 2012, he hosted a $25,000-a-head dinner at the White House with Michelle Obama to raise funds for Barack Obama's re-election effort. However he caused controversy when he said it was 'too soon' for a white First Lady. Speaking at a dinner in the Greenwich Hotel, which he owns, De Niro said: 'Callista Gingrich. Karen Santorum. Ann Romney. Now do you really think our country is ready for a white first lady?' A guest at the event, which was held in the hotel's Locanda Verde restaurant, yelled, 'No!', to which De Niro added: 'Too soon, right?' Michelle Obama said the remarks were inappropriate.
Actor thinks the former Secretary of State has 'paid her dues'
Revealed his choice for the nomination at the Tribeca Film Festival .
Said in 2006 both she and Obama would one day be in the White House .
Added that if she is president there will be 'surprises'