Jimmy Doyle

**Jimmy Doyle** is the titular main protagonist, as well as antagonist of Martin Scorsese's 1977 romantic drama film, *New York, New York*. He is an egotistical saxophonist who falls in love with talented singer, Francine Evans.

He was portrayed by Robert De Niro, who also played Johnny Civello in *Mean Streets*, Travis Bickle in *Taxi Driver*, Jake LaMotta in *Raging Bull*, Rupert Pupkin in *The King of Comedy*, Jimmy Conway in *Goodfellas*, Max Cady in *Cape Fear*, Ace Rothstein in *Casino*, Frank Sheeran in *The Irishman* and William Hale in *Killers of the Flower Moon*.

## Biography

### 1945

On V-J Day, a massive celebration in a New York City nightclub is underway, with selfish saxophone player, Jimmy Doyle attending the celebration in order to find a woman to sleep with. Eventually, he meets USO singer, Francine Evans who he begins pestering due to his wishes of getting her phone number. The next day, the two become more infatuated with each other, with a random club owner suggesting they become a traveling boy-girl act after hearing them perform "You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me". Eventually, the two get married but tension grows between marriage due to their constant fights, along with Francine becoming pregnant.

### 1946

After a large fight in Jimmy's car, Francine suddenly goes into labor. Jimmy rushes her to a hospital where she gives birth to a baby boy. However, Jimmy is not ready to be a good father or husband and abandons his family before even seeing his son.

### c. 1957

Several years later, both Jimmy and Francine become extremely successful in the music industry, with Jimmy becoming a renowned jazz musician and nightclub owner. Later, Jimmy releases the instrumental, "Theme from New York, New York", which tops the jazz charts. Afterwards, Jimmy attends a performance of Francine's in the same club where they met, where she also sings Jimmy's song, with her now provided lyrics. Afterwards, Jimmy attempts to reconnect with Francine but while waiting for her on the sidewalk, he realizes he has been stood up and leaves.

## Personality

On the surface, Jimmy seems to be an extremely charismatic, smooth-talking and rebellious man. Not only does he constantly make scenes but always does it in a way to have people's attention. He is also shown to be extremely flirty as he is seen harassing women to get their numbers. However, on the inside, Jimmy can be extremely egotistical and manipulative. Throughout, his and Francine's downfall, he is seen constantly shouting at random people, as well as his own wife, who he claims to love and cherish despite the fact that he is seen both yelling at her and manipulating her into staying with him. Jimmy is also very irresponsible as despite loving his wife and being a full-grown adult, he abandons his wife and son for no good reason for several years. Despite this, by the end of the film, it seems that Jimmy regrets his decision to leave Francine as he now sees how successful she's become and how happy she and their son is, and that after being stood up by Francine, he realizes that now he has to life with his choice to abandon her.

## Trivia

* In order to prepare for the role, De Niro learned how to play the saxophone before filming of *New York, New York* began.