Moviegoers know Leonardo DiCaprio as “Leo.” However, decades ago, an agent tried to get the Oscar winner to go by something completely different.
Speaking with Travis and Jason Kelce on the “New Heights” podcast alongside “One Battle After Another” costar Benicio Del Toro, DiCaprio shared that he was 12 or 13 years old when he was told to change his name.
“I finally got an agent. They said, ‘Your name is too ethnic,’” DiCaprio said. “I go, ‘What do mean? It’s Leonardo DiCaprio.’ They go, ‘No, too ethnic. They’re never gonna hire you.
“Your new name is Lenny Williams.’”
DiCaprio said “Williams” came from his middle name, Wilhelm.
His father, George DiCaprio, immediately shot down the suggestion.
“And my dad saw his photo, ripped it up, and he said, ‘Over my dead body,’” DiCaprio said.
DiCaprio credited his father for helping him persevere when he was getting rejected for roles, recalling moments where casting directors would line auditioning actors “like cattle.”
“I remember saying to my dad, ‘This is horrible,’“ he said. “I went back, and they did it again. ‘Yes. Yes. No. No.’ I just remember, my dad sings, you know, ‘Someday you’re gonna have your time, son. Just keep at it. Keep at it.’“
The elder DiCaprio’s advice worked, as his son has gone on to earn one Academy Award and six acting nominations — with more potentially on the way for “One Battle After Another,” which hits theaters on Friday.
