Leonardo DiCaprio, one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed actors, recently disclosed an unusual piece of advice he received from a former agent during his teenage years. On a recent episode of the podcast “New Heights” hosted by Jason and Travis Kelce, DiCaprio recounted how this agent insisted that he change his name, suggesting it was “too ethnic” for Hollywood. The agent proposed the name “Lenny Williams” as an alternative.
DiCaprio’s father, upon seeing a headshot of his son with the new suggested name, vehemently opposed the idea, tearing the photograph and stating his disapproval in no uncertain terms. This decisive support from his father encouraged DiCaprio to retain his real name, which has since become iconic in the film industry.
Joining DiCaprio in the conversation, fellow actor Benicio Del Toro shared a similar experience from his past. Del Toro revealed that an agent once suggested he shorten his name to “Benny Del” to make it more palatable in Hollywood circles.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s decision to stick with his given name did not hinder his career trajectory. From breakout roles in ’90s classics such as “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” “Romeo + Juliet,” and “Titanic,” he has consistently delivered critically acclaimed performances. His illustrious career includes an Oscar win for “The Revenant” and leading roles in blockbusters like “Inception” and “The Wolf of Wall Street.”
Both DiCaprio and Del Toro’s experiences highlight a bygone era in Hollywood where actors often faced pressure to conform to industry norms regarding image and identity. These anecdotes serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by actors in maintaining authenticity in an industry that sometimes prioritized marketability over individuality.