Robert De Niro turned down by Whitney Houston

Hollywood biographies often lift the lid on the stars' secrets, and anew look at Robert De Niro doesn't disappoint, reporting the actoronce made a strong play for Whitney Houston.

John Baxter's latest book «De Niro: A Biography» contains all kindsof juicy stories, claiming Robert De Niro's late father, despitebeing married to Virginia Admiral, had various gay affairs withgreats such as playwright Tennessee Williams and painter JacksonPollock. De Niro himself apparently once made a strong play forsinger Whitney Houston when she was still a young rising star,sending her flowers and gifts. But not even a teddy bear wearingdiamond earrings could persuade her to see De Niro; Baxter recordsthat Houston's parents were dead set against her involvement with awhite man almost twice her age.