Leonardo DiCaprio recently disclosed that early in his career, his former agent suggested he change his name due to its perceived ethnic sound. This revelation came during a podcast appearance promoting his new film, One Battle After Another, where he addressed the challenge of navigating Hollywood’s preferences for more “marketable” names.
Recollection of an Agent Proposing the Name ‘Lenny Williams’
On the New Heights podcast, hosted by Jason and Travis Kelce, DiCaprio and co-star Benicio del Toro discussed their film and reflected on their beginnings in the entertainment industry. DiCaprio recalled his very first agent’s insistence that “no one [would] hire” him with a name like Leonardo DiCaprio.
He shared,
“I finally got an agent. They said, ‘Your name is too ethnic,’”
Leonardo DiCaprio recounted.
“I go, ‘What do you mean? It’s Leonardo DiCaprio?’ They go, ‘No, too ethnic. They’re never going to hire you. Your new name is Lenny Williams.”
The actor further explained,
“I said, ‘What is, what is Lenny?’ I was 12, 13. I said, ‘What is Lenny Williams?’ ‘We took your middle name and we made it. Now you’re Lenny.’”
To capture the moment’s impact, DiCaprio recalled his father’s strong reaction after seeing his headshot with the suggested stage name:
“And my dad saw this photo, ripped it up, and he said, ‘Over my dead body,’”
he revealed.
Benicio del Toro Shares Similar Experience with Name Change
Adding humor to the conversation, Benicio del Toro recounted a comparable incident where his agent proposed the stage name “Benny Del.” This reflects a broader industry tendency to encourage altering ethnic-sounding names to fit perceived mainstream appeal.
About the Film ‘One Battle After Another’ and Its Storyline
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another features a star-studded cast including Sean Penn, Teyana Taylor, Regina Hall, and Chase Infiniti alongside DiCaprio and del Toro. The film is a black comedy action thriller inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 novel Vineland.
The plot follows Bob, played by DiCaprio, a former revolutionary living off-grid with his daughter Willa (Infiniti). After 16 years, Bob’s old adversary reappears, and when Willa disappears, Bob must reunite his team to find her before anyone else does.
One Battle After Another is scheduled for release on Friday, September 26, 2025.
Significance of Retaining His Birth Name in Hollywood
DiCaprio’s experience highlights the pressure actors with ethnic names often face to change their identity for career advancement. His father’s refusal to accept the proposed stage name underlines the importance of preserving personal heritage despite industry expectations. This story sheds light on the subtle biases persisting in the entertainment world and underscores the broader conversation about diversity and representation in Hollywood.
