Leonardo DiCaprio Spills the Name His Agent Told Him He Should Go By
Alongside co-star Benicio Del Toro, Leonardo DiCaprio opened up in a new interview on the latest episode of Travis and Jason Kelce’s podcast, New Heights.
Leo revealed how early agents tried to mold him into something more “marketable” to land roles. “There were these acting agents that would line you up like cattle,” he recalled.
DiCaprio also shared that during this time, he was a breakdancer hustling on the concrete jungle streets for cash. “I just remember my dad saying, ‘Someday you’re going to have your time, son. Just keep at it.’”
Then came the agent. “I finally got an agent. They said, ‘Your name is too ethnic,’” he continued. “I go, ‘What do you mean? It’s Leonardo DiCaprio?’ They go, ‘No, too ethnic. They’re never going to hire you. Your new name is Lenny Williams.’”
Leo concluded with a mix of disbelief and humor: “I said, ‘What is Lenny?’ I was 12, 13. I said, ‘What is Lenny Williams?’ ‘We took your middle name and we made it — now you’re Lenny.’”
So next time we run into Mister Lenny Williams in the wild—and yes, we have before—that’s just the life. Of a born artist. An LA native.
