Casting directorAvy Kaufmanhas established an impressive résumé throughout her over 30-year long career. Over the years, Kaufman has cast a variety of projects, including the Emmy-winning HBO showsSuccessionandMare of Easttown, and Academy Award-winning films such asKing Richard,Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, andLincoln. She has also cast countless other memorable projects likeTár,The OA,Scream 4, andthe upcomingRustin. Though every project Kaufman’s worked on boasts stellar casts, one actor especially stands out to her:Leonardo DiCaprio.
During aCollider Ladies Nightinterview withPerri Nemiroff, Kaufman shared that DiCaprio is one actor she’s proud of having had a hand in moving his career forward. Specifically, forThe Basketball Diaries(1995), which also starsMark Wahlberg,Lorraine Bracco, and more. She told Nemiroff, “How could I go past Leonardo DiCaprio inBasketball Diaries? If anybody would seeBasketball Diariesright now, how brilliant was he and Mark Wahlberg together? Break your heart! Oh yeah, oh gosh, a bunch of people that I’m very, very proud [of], but saying names makes me feel weird.”
As the conversation continued, Kaufman shared a memorable moment between her and DiCaprio in which she knewhe would go far in the industry. Though the two didn’t know each other very well, she picked up on certain aspects he heldat a young age, including “a sensitvity.” She told Nemiroff that “even as a young boy he – I don’t know him, you know? I knew him then for two seconds. [Laughs] I remember he was smoking, and he was like, ‘Don’t tell my mom.’ And I was like, Don’t tell my husband!' There’s a sensitivity inside of him. There’s probably still a little boy inside of him because that was boys to men, that was lost souls, that was finding your way, that was, ‘Mommy, can you hear me?'”
What Is Leonardo DiCaprio Up to Now?
This year, DiCaprio reunited withMartin ScorseseforKillers of the Flower Moon, which makes its wide release on October 6. The film first debuted at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year but did not screen as part of competition.Based on a true story, the film takes place during the devastating murders of the Osage people in 1920s Oklahoma, leading to an FBI investigation. Along withKillers of the Flower Moon, DiCaprio is circling the lead role ofaJim Jonesbiopic, though no further updates have been revealed. Recently, DiCaprio has served in various producing roles for projects such asKillers of the Flower Moon,Ozi: Voice of the Forest,Shining Girls, and several others. Acting-wise, his last film wasAdam McKay’sDon’t Look Upin 2021.
Watch Kaufman and Nemiroff’s full conversation below:
