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Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio recently shared a surprising story about his early days in Hollywood, revealing that he was once told to abandon his real name and adopt the stage name "Lenny Williams."
During an appearance on Travis and Jason Kelce's 'New Heights' podcast, the 'One Battle After Another' actor recalled how, as a child of around 12 or 13, he finally landed an agent who immediately suggested a drastic change. According to Leonardo DiCaprio, the agent considered his name "too ethnic" for Hollywood success and proposed that he go by Lenny Williams instead. The last name "Williams" was derived from his middle name, Wilhelm.
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Image Courtesy: Getty
DiCaprio explained that his father, George DiCaprio, strongly opposed the idea. When he saw a promotional photo featuring the suggested name, George ripped it up and firmly refused to let his son start a career under anything other than Leonardo DiCaprio.
Leonardo DiCaprio's Journey as an Actor
Coming from an Italian immigrant family, DiCaprio grew up in an artistic household. His father, a writer and performance artist, encouraged him to keep pursuing acting even during discouraging times. The young actor admitted that his early auditions were tough, often involving line-ups where children were quickly judged with little explanation. Leonardo DiCaprio also remembered supporting himself as a street breakdancer before his career gained momentum.
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Image Courtesy: Getty
Despite those rocky beginnings, his father kept telling him that his time would come. That persistence eventually paid off, with Leonardo DiCaprio landing breakthrough roles in the 1990s, including 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape,' 'Romeo + Juliet,' and the blockbuster 'Titanic.' His career went on to earn him five Academy Award nominations and a win for 'The Revenant' in 2016.
Now 50, DiCaprio admitted he is beginning to slow down his pace but remains passionate about taking on meaningful projects. Speaking about his upcoming collaboration with filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson on 'One Battle After Another,' he emphasised that awards and box office numbers aren't his main motivation. For him, it's about creating timeless films that resonate long after their release.
