Leonardo DiCaprio reveals name he was told use by his agent who feared he would never get hired in Hollywood

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Leonardo DiCaprio recently reminisced about the beginning of his acting career during an appearance on the ‘New Heights’ podcast hosted by Jason and Travis Kelce.

The actor, now 50 years old, shared that an agent previously suggested he alter his name to improve his chances of finding success in Hollywood.

Leonardo, whose family background is Italian and German, was advised that his name sounded too foreign and might prevent him from getting acting jobs.

He explained that the agent proposed the name ‘Lenny Williams,’ blending his first name with his middle name, Wilhelm.

The performer who became famous as ‘The Titanic sensation’ said his father was furious when he saw a photo of him using his new stage name and reportedly tore it up, declaring he would never allow it.

Benicio Del Toro, who also appeared in the film *One Battle After Another*, was also a guest on the podcast and told a comparable story.

For his part, the 58-year-old actor said he was given the name ‘Benny Del.’

Former NFL player Jason, 37, jokingly said the podcast wouldn’t be as good without Lenny Williams and Benny Del.

Elsewhere in the interview, Leonardo discussed the rejection he encountered as a burgeoning star.

He said an agent once lined him up ‘like cattle’ and told him ‘no.’

Leonardo explained his unusual haircut by saying he used to be a breakdancer. He’d sometimes perform on the street for money, and that’s why he had that layered, ‘step’ style.

He remembered telling his dad, “This is awful,” and then being upset when it happened again.

The showbiz cut his teeth in the industry appearing in Matchbox cars commercials as a teen.

Oh my gosh, by the early nineties, he was *everywhere* on ‘Growing Pains’! I seriously never missed an episode. And then, can you believe it, he started doing *movies*? ‘This Boy’s Life’ was amazing, and then ‘What’s Eating Gilbert Grape’? I was completely obsessed – he was just so talented and I knew he was destined for huge things!

He became a household name after starring opposite Kate Winslet in 1997’s Titanic. 

Jason and Travis teased their latest guest stars on Tuesday night.

A recent post on X celebrated the success of some individuals, suggesting they deserve to add ‘podcaster’ to their resumes alongside their ‘Oscar Winner’ title.

‘NEW EPISODE TOMORROW FT. LEONARDO DICAPRIO AND BENICIO DEL TORO.’

The preview featured Jason introducing his guests, boasting that together they’ve won four Golden Globes and two Oscars, and their movies have earned nearly $14 billion worldwide.

He then started highlighting their achievements, mentioning films like Sicario, Traffic, and The Usual Suspects, among others.

Leonardo and Benicio’s latest film One Battle After Another hits theaters on September 26. 

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2025-09-24 23:51