Leonardo DiCaprio made his debut podcast appearance on the latest episode of New Heights with Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce, sharing insights into his early career challenges and personal experiences. This Leonardo DiCaprio podcast appearance sheds light on moments from his past, including a surprising story about nearly changing his name.
Discussion on Industry Challenges and Comparisons
The Oscar-winning actor, who turned 50 this year, appeared alongside Benicio Del Toro and discussed working with various directors throughout his career. They drew parallels between collaboration in Hollywood and teamwork in the NFL, emphasizing how players and coaches navigate their professional environments. The conversation also touched on how actors and athletes begin their journeys in highly competitive fields.
Nearly Changing His Name to Lenny Williams
When DiCaprio was about 12 years old, he nearly adopted the name Lenny Williams due to industry pressure. He explained that his agent believed “Leonardo DiCaprio” sounded too ethnic and would hinder his chances of getting hired.
I finally got an agent. They said, ‘Your name is too ethnic. 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.’
– Leonardo DiCaprio
The surname “Williams” was derived from his middle name, Wilhelm. DiCaprio’s father, George DiCaprio, strongly opposed the suggestion.
And my dad saw his photo, ripped it up, and he said, ‘Over my dead body,’
said DiCaprio about his father’s reaction.
Early Rejections and Family Support
The podcast also explored DiCaprio’s early struggles with acting auditions, reflecting on how casting agents would reject hopefuls without much consideration. DiCaprio revealed that his stepbrother was also an actor and compared the impersonal casting calls to being lined up like cattle.
My stepbrother was an actor, and there were these acting agents that would line you up like cattle. I was a break dancer. I’d break dance for, like, money on the streets sometimes… I remember saying to my dad, ‘This is horrible.’ 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,’
DiCaprio reflected.
Significance of the Podcast Reveal
This candid discussion during Leonardo DiCaprio’s first podcast appearance provides a rare glimpse into the obstacles he faced before achieving stardom. His story highlights the importance of perseverance and family support in overcoming industry biases. As fans continue to follow his career, this podcast moment adds depth to the understanding of his journey. The episode also invites viewers to revisit DiCaprio’s acclaimed filmography, with many ranking his top performances as some of the best in cinema.
