Leonardo DiCaprio is one of Hollywood’s most famous actors, his most notable role being Jack Dawson in the epic romance, Titanic.
But it turns out he almost didn’t get the part…
Because he was “so negative.”
Scroll on to find out more…
We all know Leo.
Born in 1974, he has a long-spanning career including many highly critically acclaimed movies. He’s known for being able to play many different types of roles, from romantic hero to criminal mastermind.
He started early.
DiCaprio’s first roles were in commercials, then he transitioned into recurring roles in soap operas and sitcoms in the ’80s.
For many, he’s the ultimate heart-throb.
With his floppy hair, beautiful eyes, and handsome smile, DiCaprio became one of the premier hunks of the ’90s.
And he’s made the most of it.
He’s well known for being a ladies man, and has had a string of beautiful and famous girlfriends – including Naomi Campbell and Blake Lively.
Oh, and of course Gisele Bündchen.
Here the pair are pictured together at the 2005 Oscars. Bundchen is now married to NFL quarterback Tom Brady.
But if you thought dating DiCaprio would be a dream come true?
Well, Gisele has quite a different narrative.
She spoke out about her lifestyle change since dating Leo.
“No longer numbing myself with smoking, drinking, and too much work, I was becoming more and more aware of things that I’d chosen not to look at.”
“Was I alone in wanting to do some serious soul-searching while he stayed the same?”
“In the end, unfortunately, the answer was yes.”
And now, another celeb has opened up about how life with DiCaprio is…
DiCaprio’s Titanic co-star Kate Winslet has opened up about her experience working closely with the star.
During her time making the movie, Winslet was open about being bullied for her appearance.
She claims she did not fit conventional beauty standards and was often only up for “fat girl” parts.
But she said that her work with DiCaprio changed her perspective…
“It’s really important that you are the shape that you are,” he said.
Winslet recalled that this comment forever changed the way she thought about her appearance.
Winslet has also shared a hilarious behind-the-scenes story about the pair!
She revealed that before an iconic Titanic scene, she had a rather unique way of breaking the ice with DiCaprio.
“We were kind of the two goofy kids on the set,” Winslet told Rolling Stone.
“Y’know, working with Leonardo DiCaprio – he’s a bit gorgeous, and I was worried that I was going to be bowled over by him, or that he was going to find me all stuffy and Shakespearean and English.
“But the second we met, we just completely clicked.
“I was naked in front of Leo on the first day of shooting,” Winslet said.
“She had no shame with it. She wanted to break the ice a little beforehand, so she flashed me.
“I wasn’t prepared for that, so she had a one-up on me. I was pretty comfortable after that,” DiCaprio added.
What a beautiful friendship!
DiCaprio’s role in Titanic is arguably his biggest…
And their on-screen chemistry was unbelievable.
However, it seems that DiCaprio almost didn’t get the part.
James Cameron recently opened up to GQ to share the reason why.
He revealed that Winslet was hired “fairly early on,” after delivering a “fantastic” audition.
However, the search for Jack was a little more complicated.
Cameron shared that when DiCaprio came in for the audition, he was “sitting in my conference room, waiting to meet an actor, and I look around and all the women from the entire office are in the meeting,” he laughed.
“They just all wanted to meet Leo. It was hysterical.”
He instantly “charmed” everyone, but before he bagged the part, he was required to do an on-screen test with Winslet, and things went a little rocky.
“He came back a couple of days later, and I had the camera set up to record the video,” the director recalled. “He didn’t know he was going to test. He thought it was another meeting to meet Kate.”
DiCaprio then refused to do the test.
“I said, ‘Okay, we’ll just go in the next room, and we’ll run some lines and I’ll video it.’ And he said, ‘You mean, I’m reading?’ I said, ‘Yeah.’ He said, ‘Oh, I don’t read,’” James remembered. “I shook his hand and said, ‘Thanks for coming by.’”
This shocked DiCaprio, who replied: “Wait, wait, wait. If I don’t read, I don’t get the part? Just like that?”
James replied: “‘Oh, yeah. Come on. This is a giant movie that is going to take two years of my life, and you’ll be gone doing five other things while I’m doing post-production.’”
He added: “‘So, I’m not going to f**k it up by making the wrong decision in casting. So, you’re going to read, or you’re not going to get the part.’”
Sharing what happen next, Cameron said: “So he comes in, and he’s like every ounce of his entire being is just so negative — right up until I said, ‘Action.’ Then he turned into Jack.”
“Kate just lit up, and they played the scene. Dark clouds had opened up, and a ray of sun came down and lit up Jack. I’m like, ‘All right. He’s the guy.’”
And the rest is history!