Northstar Realty Finance (NRF) 10-K 2011 FY Annual report

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Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

        In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of NorthStar Realty Finance Corp. (the "Company") for the period ended December 31, 2011, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), David T. Hamamoto, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of his knowledge:

1.

The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934; and



2.

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material aspects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated: February 17, 2012 By: /s/ DAVID T. HAMAMOTO
David T. Hamamoto
Chief Executive Officer

        A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

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Exhibit 32.1