Elizabeth Olsen Reveals the Actor She Always Avoids in Public – ‘It’s So Awkward!’

As an Avenger, Elizabeth Olsen has shared the screen with some of the biggest names in Hollywood. From Robert Downey Jr. to Benedict Cumberbatch, Scarlett Johansson to Paul Bettany, Olsen’s Marvel tenure has made her a recognizable part of the most bankable franchise in history. Outside the MCU, she’s worked with the likes of Bryan Cranston, Juliette Binoche, Aubrey Plaza, and Carrie Coon. Yet, despite her impressive roster of past co-stars, there’s one legendary actor she will always avoid in public: Robert De Niro.

An Unforgettable Meeting

Olsen’s connection to De Niro dates back to 2012, when the two appeared in Red Lights, a psychological thriller directed by Rodrigo Cortés. De Niro played Simon Silver, a celebrated psychic suspected of fraud and murder, while Olsen portrayed Sally Owen, a student assisting in the investigation. Though the film itself flew under the radar, the experience left a lasting impression on the Scarlet Witch star. It also, ironically, made future encounters with De Niro decidedly uncomfortable.

In a candid interview with Business Insider, Olsen opened up about the awkwardness of running into De Niro in real life. “We were in the same film together that no one saw,” she said, recalling a lengthy cast meal. “I feel like I see De Niro often, even just in a hotel or something… I would never go up to him and say, ‘Hey!’ I wouldn’t even know what to call him. Bob? I don’t know. I just avoid that stuff. It’s so awkward.”

Navigating Social Anxiety in Hollywood

This isn’t the first time Olsen has spoken about her discomfort in social settings. The WandaVision actress has been open about her social anxiety, even using it as an asset in her acting. She thrives in moments of discomfort on set, channeling that unease into compelling performances. But outside the controlled environment of a production, that same anxiety can make casual run-ins with former co-stars more difficult.

“I don’t want to put someone in a weird position,” Olsen explained, revealing that she often assumes her co-stars won’t remember her. Even with someone as iconic as De Niro, that hesitation lingers. Despite having shared significant on-screen and off-screen time during Red Lights, Olsen still doesn’t feel comfortable approaching him in a casual setting.

A Matter of Perspective

Olsen’s reluctance highlights an often-overlooked aspect of Hollywood life: actors, despite their fame, are human. They don’t automatically form lifelong bonds just because they’ve worked together. Sometimes, professional relationships don’t translate to personal familiarity, and for someone like Olsen, who is particularly mindful of social boundaries, that gap can feel insurmountable. Her experience is a reminder that actors, too, must navigate the awkward realities of social interaction—especially when it involves addressing a living legend like Robert De Niro as “Bob.”

Until she and De Niro share another project—or perhaps just another long dinner—Olsen seems content to maintain her polite distance. Whether or not she ever works up the nerve to say hello again, her story underscores the complexity of celebrity interactions and the very real humanity behind the glitz and glamour.