Leonardo DiCaprio was almost given stage name after being told his was ‘too ethnic’

Leonardo DiCaprio was warned that his name was ‘too ethnic’ for Hollywood.

The 50-year-old actor is one of the world’s highest-paid movie stars, but he was told by his first agent that he’d need to change his name in order to thrive in the film business.

He was even told the stage name it was strongly suggested he take, advice which he did not take.

During an appearance on the New Heights podcast with his One Battle After Another co-star Benicio del Toro, DiCaprio recalled: ‘I finally got an agent [and] they said, “Your name is too ethnic.”

‘I go, “What do you mean, it’s Leonardo DiCaprio?” They go, “No, too ethnic. They’re never going to hire you.”’

The now award-winning actor’s former agent then told him: “Your new name is Lenny Williams.” Can you imagine Titanic star Lenny Williams