Leonardo DiCaprio Recalls Iconic Audition That Started His 30-Year Friendship With Robert De Niro

Nov 07, 2022 by apost team

Known for his dashing good looks, screen-transcending charm, and award-winning acting chops, Leonardo DiCaprio is considered one of the greatest actors in recent memory. Although it took him a while before he received his first Academy Award, he proved time and time again that he was a well-accomplished and talented actor. Some of his most notable films include “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” “Inception,” “The Wolf of Wall Street,” and “Celebrity,” among others.

DiCaprio is the recipient of over a hundred awards in the entertainment industry. He had been nominated seven times for an Academy Award, five of which were Best Actor nods. For the public, he was long overdue for the academy’s recognition, especially with his extensive filmography and acting prowess. He eventually won his first Academy Award in 2016 for “The Revenant.”

But before everyone was captivated by his charisma, someone had been with him the whole time, even before his first breakthrough in the industry – Robert De Niro. 

Some might have thought that their friendship only blossomed because they’re both famous, and famous people hang out together, but for DiCaprio, De Niro is so much more than a friend. He considers the man his mentor and probably one of the most influential people in his life. 

DiCaprio was an unknown actor in the early 90s. He only gained prominence in the latter part of the decade and the years after. His first starring role was in “This Boy’s Life,” a biographical drama that retells the memoir of the American novelist Tobias Wolff. The then 15-year-old actor played Wolff, and opposite to him is De Niro, who is his abusive step-father in the film. 

Later on in his career, DiCaprio recalled that the audition for the role of Wolff was the start of their long and fulfilling friendship ahead. 

DiCaprio has over 30 films to date. Although much of the public most notably saw him for the first time in the James Cameron film “Titanic,” he had an earlier breakthrough from the industry – a film that made him one of the young actors to watch out in Hollywood at the time. 

When DiCaprio auditioned for “This Boy’s Life” in the early 90s, there was stiff competition. But for the young actor at the time, it was a rather unforgettable one. 

Speaking to the SAG-AFTRA foundation podcast in 2014, the “Don’t Look Up” actor looked back on the particular moment. 

“That was one of those incredible auditions that came around. I suppose every kid had been waiting for [it] for a long period of time because it’s just not that often that you get a starring role above Robert De Niro … everyone was sort of fiending for this role,” he shared. “[Tobey Maguire] was there, and I do remember thinking to myself, ‘I gotta do something to stand out.’…” 

DiCaprio talked highly of De Niro elsewhere in the interview, also mentioning his strong bond with iconic director Martin Scorsese, with whom he had worked for a large portion of the time.

“He is my favorite actor of all time, he really is,” DiCaprio revealed. “That relationship with him and Scorsese just influenced every one of my friends in the industry that I’ve met through the years. That is sort of the golden relationship of cinema to me.”

DiCaprio had worked with De Niro on three films already, “This Boy’s Life,” “Marvin’s Room,” and “The Audition.” 

apost.com

De Niro, 79, is one of the greatest actors of all time. According to his IMDB Page, he has over 120 film credits, with more to be finished in 2023. It is because of his huge influence in the industry and experience in producing films that helped DiCaprio got a boost in Hollywood at the time. 

As DiCaprio continues to recall his memorable audition on “This Boy’s Life,” he initially thought that his bold move of screaming at De Niro, during the iconic mustard jar scene, at the top of his lungs off-script would probably cost him the audition, but it turned out to be the point DeNiro realized that they have found what they’re looking for. 

“He told me, ‘I was the one who said you should get the job,’ which is very sweet,” DiCaprio told the SAG-AFTRA podcast. 

In 2019, the Screen Actors Guild Awards gave De Niro the SAG Life Achievement Award, and DiCaprio had the honor of presenting the award to his mentor and collaborator. The speech was almost a culmination of their 30-year-friendship and the perfect retelling of their actor’s “monumental work. 

“When I think of this extraordinary actor, one thing comes to mind – Robert De Niro is elemental. It feels as if he’s always been here and always will be here,” he says with great conviction in his introductory speech. “To share scenes with an artist of his magnitude was monumental. It was a life-changing experience. his specificity in detail and his fearless pursuit of authenticity in his work have influenced not only myself but entire generations.”

In 2023, De Niro, DiCaprio, and Scorsese will reunite on screen again on “Killers of Flower Moon,” marking DiCaprio’s seventh film with Scorsese, De Niro’s 10th with the famed director, and the duo’s fourth film together. 

Have you watched a film by Robert DeNiro and Leonardo DiCaprio? What do you think of their 30-year-friendship? Let us know, and pass this on to your friends, family, and other Leonardo DiCaprio fans!