Leonardo DiCaprio is officially stepping into new territory.
The Oscar-winning actor made his podcast debut on Wednesday, September 24, sitting down with fellow Hollywood heavyweight Benicio del Toro on “New Heights,” hosted by NFL stars Travis and Jason Kelce.
The rare appearance, which marked DiCaprio’s first time ever on a podcast, had the Kelce brothers buzzing with excitement.
“I’m super excited,” Travis said at the top of the show, struggling to contain his grin.
Jason admitted he tried to stay calm but couldn’t quite keep his composure once the Hollywood duo logged in.
The crossover conversation ran about an hour, giving listeners a unique look at two of Hollywood’s most private actors.
DiCaprio, who has kept his media footprint minimal despite decades at the top of the industry, opened up about his love of sports.
He shared stories from his high school basketball days and even revealed which professional team has his enduring loyalty.
DiCaprio Shared He Almost Didn’t Go By His Original Name
“The Wolf of Wall Street” actor got candid with the two podcast hosts and revealed people in the entertainment industry wanted him to go by a stage name.
He began, “I finally got an agent. They said, ‘Your name is too ethnic.’ I go, ‘What do you mean? It’s Leonardo DiCaprio.'”
The 50-year-old added that the agent wanted him to go by “Lenny Williams,” as DiCaprio’s middle name is Wilhelm. The stage name was a no-go from the start.
DiCaprio recalled what his dad said in response: “Over my dead body.” He added that his dad saw the name on one of his headshots and proceeded to rip it up.
The Group Talks Sports
During the course of the podcast, the conversation ventured into talking about flat-brim hats.
Del Toro charmed the hosts with his laid-back humor and nostalgic take on why he likes the old-school sport hats.
He told Travis that he loves the Kansas City Chiefs logo and has a vintage hat from the ’80s that he enjoys.
The Oscar-winning “Traffic” actor also teased their upcoming project together, “One Battle After Another,” a high-intensity action drama that has already been generating buzz.
The Kelces, who have turned their podcast into one of the most talked-about shows blending sports and pop culture, couldn’t help but marvel at the moment.
The conversation wasn’t all Hollywood. Travis extended a personal invitation to del Toro to attend an upcoming Kansas City Chiefs game, which the actor enthusiastically accepted.
