In the early 1990s, before Leonardo DiCaprio became a household name, there was almost a significant change to his identity in Hollywood. The actor revealed in a recent New Heights podcast appearance that one of his first agents suggested he adopt the name “Lenny Williams,” fearing his real name might hold him back in the industry. This potential Leonardo DiCaprio name change was considered due to concerns about the ethnic sound of his birth name.
DiCaprio recalled,
“I finally got an agent. They said, ‘Your name is too ethnic,’”
followed by,
“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.’”
Reactions to the Proposed Name Change
At just 12 or 13 years old, DiCaprio was shocked by the suggestion.
“I said, ‘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,’”
he explained. Fortunately, DiCaprio’s father strongly opposed the idea. When DiCaprio showed his father a headshot labeled with the new stage name, his dad immediately rejected it, stating,
“He ripped it up, and he said, ‘Over my dead body.’”
Shared Experiences Among Actors
DiCaprio wasn’t alone in facing this outdated approach to names in Hollywood. Actor Benicio Del Toro, who joined him in the same interview, shared a similar story. He noted that early in his career he too was advised to change his name and said,
“I was told the same thing. ‘You’re Benny Del.’”
Upcoming Film and Legacy
Both DiCaprio and Del Toro are now starring in Paul Thomas Anderson’s upcoming thriller One Battle After Another, set to release in theaters on September 26. DiCaprio portrays Bob, a disillusioned revolutionary who must reconnect with former allies to protect his daughter from a returning enemy. Despite initial resistance to his name, Leonardo DiCaprio has undoubtedly established himself as a prominent figure in Hollywood, with his real name recognized worldwide.
This near-change to “Lenny Williams” highlights the shifting attitudes in the industry over time, as actors like DiCaprio and Del Toro now proudly carry their given names into major film roles. As audiences prepare to see them in one of the fall’s most anticipated movies, it’s clear that the original names hold powerful weight in their careers.
