This Oscar-winning director reveals the secrets of working with De Niro and Pacino

Taylor Hackford is a veteran director who, over his 45-plus-year career has created some of Hollywood's most memorable works.

Finding notice in the late 1970s by winning an Oscar for his short film "Teenage Father," he's gone on to direct notable titles including "An Officer and a Gentleman" and "Ray." But he's also been able to work with two of the best living actors of all time.

His latest movie, "The Comedian" (in theaters nationwide on Friday), stars Robert De Niro as an aging insult comic trying to stay relevant. This comes 19 years after he worked with Al Pacino in the steamy thriller "The Devil's Advocate," in which Pacino plays the devil.

Not many directors have had the distinction of working with both De Niro and Pacino in their careers.

Hackford talked to Business Insider about working with the two legends.