Leonardo DiCaprio’s first agent told him his name was “too ethnic” for Hollywood
Leonardo DiCaprio has revealed that he was told by his first agent that his name was “too ethnic” when he was starting out in acting.
The Hollywood star was appearing in his first ever podcast episode on New Heights hosted by Jason and Travis Kelce, joined by his latest co-star Benecio del Toro, when they were discussing their earliest starts in the industry.
DiCaprio recalled getting his first agent as a child actor, who told him: “Your name is too ethnic – they’re never going to hire you,” before adding that they wanted to change his name to “Lenny Williams”, taking inspiration from his middle name of Wilhelm.
However, the actor noted how the idea never managed to get off the ground due to his father’s disapproval. “I was like 12 or 13, and my dad took one look at this photo, ripped it up, and said, ‘Over my dead body’,” he explained.
Del Toro, who stars opposite DiCaprio in the new comedy action thriller film One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, said he could relate to the experience as he was asked to change his Puerto Rican name to “Benny Del” when he started out as an actor in the business.
The pair are widely being praised for their performances in One Battle After Another, which follows DiCaprio as a former revolutionary fighter who must return to avenge an old enemy after 16 years, in order to save his daughter.
However, the similarities between certain aspects of the film and current right-wing politics has been noted, which director Anderson has insisted was not intentional as he claimed fascism “doesn’t go out of style.”
One Battle After Another will be released in cinemas on September 26th.
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