Leonardo DiCaprio Calls This Actor “The Consummate Actor of Our Time”

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Leonardo DiCaprio recalled the first time he met Robert De Niro and how that encounter profoundly influenced his approach to acting.

In an interview with The Guardian, Leonardo DiCaprio shared a memory of seeing Robert De Niro on screen for the first time. He was 13 years old, and it was then he realized that acting could actually be a career – something he hadn’t fully understood before, despite learning about professions at school.

He recalled going to see Midnight Run with his father, who used the movie as a lesson in acting. His father pointed to Robert De Niro on screen and said, “That’s a cool guy. Pay attention to him—he’s a great actor, and you should remember his face.”

Three years later, DiCaprio had the chance to audition with De Niro for the main role in This Boy’s Life. He was nervous, but prepared, and carefully watched De Niro’s films, thinking about what he could bring to the audition that the veteran actor would appreciate. “I realized I needed to go in and project a strong, intimidating presence,” DiCaprio said.

During the audition, the two actors performed one of the movie’s most dramatic scenes. DiCaprio explained that he intensely shouted at De Niro’s character, completely immersing himself in the role.

DiCaprio recalled a moment where he realized Robert De Niro wasn’t impressed with his acting, but was actually trying not to laugh. “I knew I’d made an impact on the room,” DiCaprio said. “De Niro looked stunned, but then I understood he wasn’t reacting to my performance – he was holding back laughter.”

De Niro gave DiCaprio a simple suggestion: “Try to dial it back a little.” DiCaprio took this to heart, realizing that powerful acting works best when it’s not overdone and has moments of subtlety.

Looking back on that time, DiCaprio expressed his sincere appreciation for Robert De Niro. He said he was thankful De Niro had believed in him and given him the chance to work with and learn from such a skilled and masterful actor.

This story showcases both Robert De Niro’s incredible talent and the important role he played in guiding Leonardo DiCaprio’s development as an actor. It’s a testament to the fact that even the most famous performers once learned from those who inspired them.

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2025-11-01 11:44