Leonardo DiCaprio opens up about advice that almost changed everything

Leonardo DiCaprio recently took a trip down memory lane and shared a story from his early days as a child actor.

The 50-year-old actor, known for his powerful performance in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, opened up about a surprising fact related to his name.

During his appearance on Jason Kelce’s New Heights podcast on Wednesday, September 24, DiCaprio recalled, “I finally got an agent. They said, ‘Your name is too ethnic.’ I go, ‘What do mean? It’s Leonardo DiCaprio.’ They go, ‘No, too ethnic. They’re never gonna hire you. Your new name is Lenny Williams.’”

Later in the conversation, the Titanic star also reflected on his experience auditioning for his first role.

Speaking exclusively, he added, “I remember auditioning when I was very young. I was like a child actor. My stepbrother was an actor, and there were these acting agents that would line you up like cattle. I was a break dancer. I’d break dance for, like, money on the streets sometimes. Oh, yeah. I had the step haircut.”

It is pertinent to mention that DiCaprio has received five Oscar nominations and won once, taking home the Academy Award in 2016 for The Revenant.

Meanwhile, the Inception actor is currently gearing up for the release of One Battle After Another, scheduled to hit theaters on Friday, September 26.