Leonardo DiCaprio's stage name was nearly changed after being told his original name was 'too ethnic'

Leonardo DiCaprio and Benicio del Toro were both encouraged to adopt stage names instead of using their real names

Leonardo DiCaprio is now one of the most accomplished actors of his generation, but we nearly knew him by a different name.

The Oscar-winning actor appeared on Jason and Travis Kelce's New Heights podcast, which aired yesterday (September 24), alongside Benicio del Toro to promote their upcoming film One Battle After Another, which will be released in theaters in the US and UK tomorrow.

While on the show, he was asked by the NFL stars to share any 'holy s***' moments he has experienced in his remarkable career.

"I remember auditioning when I was very young, as a child actor - my stepbrother was an actor," the 50-year-old recounted.

"There were acting agents who would line you up like cattle and just go through - I was a break dancer, sometimes earning money on the streets, and I had the step haircut - it was like 'yes, yes, no'; they looked at me and said 'no', then 'yes, yes, yes' - and they all got agents.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Benicio del Toro revealed that they were both advised to use stage names rather than their real names (YouTube/New Heights).

"I remember telling my dad, this is terrible. I went back, and they repeated, 'yes, yes, no, no'. I just recall my dad saying, 'someday you'll have your moment, son. Just keep going, keep going'."

The actor continued: "Then they gave me my, [turning to del Toro] do you remember your first photos? They said, 'your name is too - once I finally got an agent - they said your name is too ethnic'.

"I said, 'what do you mean, it's Leonardo DiCaprio'. They replied, 'no, too ethnic, they'll never hire you. Your new name is Lenny Williams'. I said, 'what is Lenny?'. I was 12 or 13. I asked, 'what is Lenny Williams?' 'We took your middle name and made it your - now you're Lenny'.

"And my dad saw his photo, tore it up, and said, 'Over my dead body.'

While those agents will surely regret their errors, it seems he wasn't the only A-lister advised to change his name, as del Toro revealed the same thing happened to him.

"I was told the same thing," he shared. "'Benny Dell, yeah - Mr. Dell!"

Surprised, Jason Kelce responded: "Oh my gosh. This podcast would not be the same with Lenny Williams and Benny Dell - I'll tell you that right now."