Leonardo DiCaprio shared an anecdote about his early career on the podcast New Heights, hosted by Jason and Travis Kelce. He recounted how an agent suggested he change his name, claiming it was “too ethnic” for Hollywood.
DiCaprio expressed confusion at the comment, asking, “What do you mean? It’s Leonardo DiCaprio.” The agent proposed the name “Lenny Williams,” derived from DiCaprio’s middle name, Wilhelm. When DiCaprio presented a portrait photo featuring the new name to his family, their reaction was one of shock. “My father saw this picture, tore it in half and said, ‘Over my dead body,'” DiCaprio recalled. His father has Italian and German heritage.
Film Promotion
The 50-year-old actor appeared on the podcast alongside Benicio del Toro to promote their new film, One Battle After Another, which will be released in theaters on September 26.
