Leonardo DiCaprio Hails This Star as “The Consummate Actor of Our Time”
Leonardo DiCaprio once opened up about the lasting impact Robert De Niro had on his career, calling the legendary actor “the consummate actor of our time.” Speaking about their first encounter on set for the film This Boy’s Life, DiCaprio shared how De Niro’s work inspired him from a young age.
DiCaprio recalled seeing De Niro in Midnight Run when he was just 13. “I remember my father pointing to the screen and saying, ‘You see that guy up there? Now that guy is cool. His name is Robert De Niro. You wanna watch a great actor? You remember his face,’” he told reporters.
The encounter left a lasting impression and motivated the young actor to study De Niro’s performances closely.
Years later, as a teenager, DiCaprio found himself in the final audition for the lead in This Boy’s Life. Determined to impress De Niro, he prepared obsessively. “I asked myself over and over again: what is the one quality that he would see in me that he would respect? And then it came to be – menace,” DiCaprio explained.
On set, DiCaprio described a memorable moment during a particularly intense scene where he shouted at De Niro’s character.
He initially thought his performance stunned De Niro, only to realize the veteran actor was trying not to laugh. De Niro then offered simple advice: “Why don’t you try and take it down a notch?” DiCaprio said he followed the advice, learning an important lesson about timing and restraint in acting.
Looking back on their collaboration, DiCaprio expressed his gratitude. “Thank you for taking a chance on me, for giving me the opportunity to work alongside you and observe the underlying mechanisms that make you the consummate actor of our time,” he said.
This story highlights not only De Niro’s legendary status but also the mentorship that shaped DiCaprio into one of Hollywood’s leading actors. It’s a reminder that even the most established stars can leave a profound mark on the next generation.
What do you think about the influence of legendary actors like De Niro on young stars today? Share your thoughts in the comments.
