Leonardo DiCaprio Reveals the Co-Star Who Left Him Speechless
Leonardo DiCaprio once found himself completely captivated by a co-star’s unforgettable performance in 'Catch Me if You Can.' Discover the moment that made DiCaprio see acting in a whole new light.
It ’s easy to assume that Hollywood ’s biggest names rarely get starstruck. After all, it’s hard to picture someone like Robert De Niro being floored by a younger actor on set, or Leonardo DiCaprio losing his composure around a pop star cameo. But even the most seasoned performers can be caught off guard by true talent. For DiCaprio, that moment came early in his career, and it left a lasting impression.
After breaking out in the 1990s with roles alongside legends like Robert De Niro in This Boy’s Life, DiCaprio quickly became one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood. He worked with acclaimed directors such as Baz Luhrmann and James Cameron, and by the early 2000s, he was leading films like Danny Boyle’s The Beach and Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York. But it was his role in Steven Spielberg’s 2002 crime drama Catch Me if You Can that brought him face-to-face with a performance he’d never forget.
Meeting a True Original
In Catch Me if You Can, DiCaprio played Frank Abagnale Jr., a master forger and con artist pursued by the FBI. The film featured a star-studded cast, including Tom Hanks, Martin Sheen, and Christopher Walken. While all three were icons in their own right, it was Walken’s portrayal of Frank Abagnale Sr. that truly stunned DiCaprio.
Reflecting on the experience, DiCaprio shared,
“He’s unlike anyone else, and I thought he was so well suited for this character. I think it was a unique character for him to play. He was very much like Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman or something like that. [Frank Abagnale, Sr] was a broken man. His spirit was broken…I’m so glad that [Christopher Walken] did this movie. ”
The Power of Uniqueness
Actors often strive to be remembered for their versatility or charisma, but true uniqueness is a rare gift. Walken, who originally trained as a dancer before turning to acting, brought an unmistakable presence to every role. His distinct cadence and delivery made his performances unforgettable, and DiCaprio was quick to recognize this quality.
DiCaprio admired Walken’s approach, noting that being memorable is just as important as being talented. He recalled several highlights from working with Walken, but one moment stood out above the rest.
An Unscripted Moment
DiCaprio described a particular scene that left a deep mark on him.
“I actually had a scene with him where it was one of my most memorable experiences making films,”
he said.
“The scene where I come back to see my dad and he’s talking about my mom and all of the sudden… he like kind of hyperventilates…And I was sitting there across the table from him while he was doing that, and it was completely unexpected. It wasn’t in the script. It was his own…completely his own doing.”
DiCaprio admitted he almost interrupted the take, unsure if Walken was improvising or following some hidden direction. Instead, he let the moment play out, realizing he was witnessing something extraordinary.
“It’s a testament how he is as an actor. I was blown away. It is [one of those times] where you have a cinematic experience like that, where you are so forced into the world where you think that it’s actual reality.”