Leonardo DiCaprio was warned that his identify was ‘too ethnic’ for Hollywood.
The 50-year-old actor is likely one of the world’s highest-paid film stars, however he was instructed by his first agent that he’d want to alter his identify with a purpose to thrive within the movie enterprise.
He was even instructed the stage identify it was strongly prompt he take, recommendation which he didn’t take.
Throughout an look on the New Heights podcast together with his One Battle After One other co-star Benicio del Toro, DiCaprio recalled: ‘I lastly acquired an agent [and] they stated, “Your identify is simply too ethnic.”
‘I am going, “What do you imply, it’s Leonardo DiCaprio?” They go, “No, too ethnic. They’re by no means going to rent you.”’
The now award-winning actor’s former agent then instructed him: “Your new identify is Lenny Williams.”
Are you able to think about Titanic star Lenny Williams? Seven-time Oscar nominee and (lastly) winner for The Revenant, Lenny Williams?
DiCaprio remembered his bafflement.
‘I used to be 12, 13, I stated, “What’s Lenny Williams?”… “Properly, we took your center identify [Wilhelm] and we made it your [last name]. Now you’re Lenny.”’
Nonetheless, DiCaprio’s dad, George DiCaprio, was fast to garbage the concept.
The actor defined: ‘My dad noticed this photograph, ripped it up, and he stated, “Over my lifeless physique.”’
The Phoenician Scheme actor del Toro had the identical expertise, chiming in with amusing: ‘I used to be instructed the identical factor! Benicio del Toro – Benny Del!’
6 stars who refused stage names – and what they have been
Barbra Streisand – ‘Barbara Sands’
Keanu Reeves – ‘Casey Reeves’
Harrison Ford – ‘Kurt Affair’ (Ford prompt this one himself, realizing the studio wouldn’t approve, having been instructed Harrison Ford was ‘a pretentious identify for a younger man’)
Ke Huy Quan – ‘Jonathan Quan’ (Quan used this briefly as a younger actor, however when be returned to Hollywood after a protracted break he needed to make use of his beginning identify once more)
Kim Novak – ‘Equipment Marlowe’
(Jo) Raquel Welch – ‘Debbie Welch’
DiCaprio turned 50 in November 2024, and he beforehand revealed that he needed to be ‘extra trustworthy’ after celebrating his landmark birthday.
Talking to Esquire UK, the film star defined: ‘It [turning 50] creates a sense like you’ve gotten a want to only be extra trustworthy and never waste your time.
‘I can solely think about how the following few a long time are going to progress. I have a look at my mom, for instance, and she or he simply says precisely what she thinks and wastes no time. She spends no time making an attempt to faux it.’
DiCaprio is decided to do related, however the actor acknowledges that he dangers ‘having issues crumble’ due to his trustworthy strategy.
‘Being extra upfront and risking having issues crumble or risking the disagreements or risking going your separate methods from any sort of relationship in life — the non-public, the skilled — it’s that you just don’t need to waste your time anymore. It’s a must to simply be far more upfront. It’s nearly a accountability, as a result of far more of your life is behind you than it’s forward of you.’
Over 30 years since his breakthrough function – for which he obtained his first Academy Award nomination – in 1993’s What’s Consuming Gilbert Grape, DiCaprio continues to be starring in huge motion pictures.
One Battle After One other is receiving rave critiques, from business titans together with Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese, in addition to critics, who’ve labelled it ‘a masterpiece’ and ‘essentially the most fulfilling cinema expertise this 12 months’.
It at present has an enormous rating of 98% on overview aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes.
The movie was launched in cinemas on Friday, September 16.
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