Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the top stars in Hollywood. Ever since his first Oscar nomination at the young age of 19, the star has been unstoppable. Counted among the most charming stars of the glitzy universe of entertainment, his name is known all over the world for his acting prowess.
However, it was this name that put him in trouble at first. Feeling the name might carry too much of a weightage for an 11-year-old, many told him to change his name to a simpler one. Reluctant or stubborn to do so, he refused leading to him being warned that he might never get good roles
11-Year-Old Leonardo DiCaprio Was Told To Change His Name
A name is more than just a ‘name’. It signifies a person’s identity, molds their entire persona, and becomes a vessel for their aspirations and achievements as time goes on. It is not merely an identity but one which gives an identity. And so it is for the celebrated Titanic star, Leonardo DiCaprio.
As iconic a star as he is, his name is an even more iconic one. An extraordinary name, it stands as a testament to the immense talent the person behind it holds. It carries a weight that anchors DiCaprio to the annals of cinematic history.
Despite it all, there was once a time when the 11-year-old DiCaprio, wanting desperately to get his acting break, was told to change his name to a more ‘easy one’.
In a 2010 interview with Short List, the Killers of the Flower Moon star stated,
“Yeah, when I was 11 years old, when I first wanted to be an actor professionally. We went to an agent and they wanted to change my name to Lenny Williams.”
While having such a name would probably not have impacted his acting talent, it sure would have failed to generate the power and influence that ‘Leonard DiCaprio’ generates.
Leonardo DiCaprio Was Told He Would Not Get Good Acting Jobs With His Name
When DiCaprio was reluctant to change his name to Lenny Williams, he was told by his former agent that he would be unable to get good jobs because of it. That fact did happen as The Revenant stated in the interview with Short List,
“They felt my name was too ethnic and I wouldn’t get as many jobs. So that thwarted me from being an actor for a number of years. I tried again two years later when I was 13 and got an agent to accept me with my name.”
And finally after just a couple of years into the job he secured his first Oscar nomination at 19 and later starred in the timeless Titanic.
Source: Short List
