Leonardo DiCaprio reveals name-change pressure early in career on New Heights

Leonardo DiCaprio revealed on the latest episode of New Heights that an agent once told him he would need to change his real name to be successful, describing his surname as “too ethnic.” The Oscar-winning star, 50, recalled that the adviser proposed a new moniker, saying they would hire him if he used “Lenny Williams,” a variant built from his middle name Wilhelm and a revision of his surname. DiCaprio said the advice was blunt and aimed at masking an ethnic identity that, at the outset of his career, was seen as a barrier to acting opportunities.

The anecdote surfaced during a conversation with his One Battle After Another co-star Benicio Del Toro on the New Heights podcast hosted by NFL brothers Travis and Jason Kelce. Del Toro, who was seated beside DiCaprio during the interview, said he had faced a similar pitch early in his own career, recalling that he was briefly dubbed “Benny Del.” The back-and-forth underscored how some actors encountered pressure to simplify or disguise their names as part of navigating the industry’s early stereotypes.

Jason Kelce chimed in with a wry line, suggesting the podcast would not be the same with “Lenny Williams and Benny Del,” a nod to the mocked-up aliases mentioned on air. The moment highlighted the playful yet pointed way the hosts and guests reflect on a career path that can hinge on a single, controversial naming choice. DiCaprio and Del Toro also joked about the broader implications of such rebranding, acknowledging how many actors face pressure to fit a marketable template even before they land a role.

DiCaprio went on to describe another early setback that helped shape his resilience. He recalled a moment when an agent lined him up “like cattle” and told him plainly that he wasn’t right for the room. He attributed the rejection partly to his background and appearance, noting that he was a street-level breakdancer who sometimes performed for money and wore a distinct step haircut. The blunt dismissal, he said, was a common refrain in his early career as he sought his footing in a competitive industry.

This candid reflection dovetails with DiCaprio’s retelling of his first break into acting. He entered the business at age 14, appearing in a series of Matchbox car commercials before landing a regular gig on the 1990s sitcom Growing Pains. His breakthrough film role followed in the early 1990s with This Boy’s Life, a project that helped propel him toward leading roles in major films, including what would become a blockbuster collaboration with James Cameron years later. The interview also touched on DiCaprio’s work with Del Toro on their current project, One Battle After Another, underscoring how early career doubts can evolve into enduring collaborations and wide recognition.

DiCaprio’s reflections on the pre-fame period illuminate a broader pattern in Hollywood where actors describe similar experiences—facing pressure to angle their names for broader notice, or being told outright that their given names might hinder opportunities. While some actors have embraced rebranding, others, like DiCaprio’s father George DiCaprio, chose to defend the person’s identity. DiCaprio recalled his father’s response when confronted with the suggested name change: he ripped up the headshot with the new name and told his son, “Over my dead body.” That staunch defense appears to have anchored a young DiCaprio as he navigated a string of early auditions, ultimately contributing to his trajectory toward superstardom.

The broader takeaway from the episode is a narrative of persistence in the face of early rejection. DiCaprio said he heard “no” many times in the early part of his career, a sentiment that resonates with the experiences of other actors who later achieved lasting success. Del Toro, 58, shared his own parallel memory, reinforcing how formative moments—however uncomfortable—can become catalysts for resilience and future achievements.

As DiCaprio and Del Toro continue to promote their latest film, the candid discussion on New Heights offers fans a rare glimpse into the uncertain early years that preceded their current prominence. The episode underscores a common thread in entertainment culture: the path to stardom often runs through moments of rejection, tough decisions about identity, and the steadfast support of family that can help an actor sustain a long career. The conversation also reflects how celebrity figures shape and reinterpret the lore of Hollywood’s formative years for new generations of performers and audiences alike, reflecting on the industry’s evolving attitudes toward name, identity, and inclusion.