Throughout his extensive career spanning decades, Leonardo DiCaprio has embodied a diverse array of characters, ranging from romantic leads to extreme personas like Hugh Glass in The Revenant. However, there remains one that surprised the actor the most, particularly with his obsessive tendencies.
The role was Howard Hughes in the 2004 biographical drama The Aviator. While the actor shared that he was able to relate to the character to a certain degree, Hughes’ level of obsession surpassed anything he could have envisioned.
Leonardo DiCaprio Was Surprised With Howard Hughes’ Obsessive Tendencies
Martin Scorsese’s 2004 film features Leonardo DiCaprio in the role of Howard Hughes, a pioneering aviator, filmmaker, and industrialist, depicting his rise to fame, struggles with mental health, and passion for aviation along with exploring his personal relationships.
The Oscar-winning actor has described Hughes as the “most multi-dimensional character” he has come across. He learned a lot about him through a book that he received before filming the movie. Even though on different grounds, he was also able to relate to the character regarding privacy.
However, it was limited to a certain extent, as he shared that the industrialist certainly pushed boundaries beyond his own imagination. Reflecting on Hughes’ obsessive nature, which he believed was influenced by OCD, he told Black Film,
The Aviator“He was such an obsessed human being. He was so obsessive about everything he’d gotten involved with whether it be planes or women or films he made. And that is the direct result of his OCD. I wouldn’t go to those extremes.”
However, he found common ground with Hughes in their shared pursuit of perfection, as he reflected on filming the ‘Hell’s Angels’ sequence. “You’re sitting there with the director trying to get things perfect,” he said before adding that it was something that resonated with both him and Scorsese.
Leonardo DiCaprio Struggled to Move On from His Role in The Aviator
During his conversation with Black Film, DiCaprio also shared that, unlike any other role he’s played, his role in The Aviator left a lasting impact on him. The actor, known for his versatile performances, shared that it’s not usually an issue for him to shake off a character.
“I’ve always been pretty good at being able to go home and be me again,” he said. However, that was not the case when it came to Howard Hughes, as it lingered with him significantly.
Leonardo DiCaprio | Image via Wikimedia Commons
The Titanic star further explained,
“I’d say more than any other character I’ve played in the past, this one stayed with me the most. Especially with this stuff having to do with obsessive-compulsive disorder.”
He reflected on how immersing himself in the character’s obsessive behaviors during filming caused those tendencies to resurface in his personal life. “Once you don’t stop yourself from doing that stuff, it can just go on and on and on,” he said.
DiCaprio also shared how it made him realize the challenging and consuming nature of the disorder and the distressing reality of individuals with genuine OCD who struggle with intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.
News
‘Prison Break’ Continues Streaming Dominance As ‘Fire Country’ Heats Up On Nielsen Charts
Prison Break; Fire Country Prison Break held a steady audience for the second consecutive week, raking in another 1.6B minutes viewed from August 12 to 18. That put it in first place on Nielsen‘s streaming charts, fueled by its return to Netflix in July. According to…
Kelly Clarkson Addresses Being Vulnerable After Heartbreak
Kelly Clarkson is giving a peek behind those hazel eyes. The American Idol alum recently opened up about why she’s able to connect with her guests and audiences as the host of her Emmy-winning talk show The Kelly Clarkson Show, which premieres its sixth…
Kelly Clarkson reacts to Carrie Underwood becoming ‘American Idol’ judge
Kelly Clarkson knows Carrie Underwood has been waiting for a moment like this. “The Kelly Clarkson Show” host — whose sixth season kicks off on NBC Sept. 23 — shared that she’s so excited for her fellow “American Idol” alum to join the competition…
‘American Idol’ Tries To Sign Up ‘Hawk Tuah Girl’ As She Brands Move ‘Dirty’
aliey Welch, otherwise known as ‘Hawk Tuah Girl’, has said that American Idol producers approached her to join the show, calling the move “dirty.” Welch became an online hit after she was asked a question in the street about her sex life…
Hailey Bieber pictured out for first time since giving birth as she has dinner date with pal Kylie Jenner while husband Justin stays home
New mom Hailey Bieber was seen out in Los Angeles this week for the first time since she gave birth to son Jack Blues Bieber two weeks ago. The 27-year-old model bared her long legs in a dark pair of shorts or a skirt, which was…
Amanda Rollins’ Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Role Is A Big Insult To Kelli Giddish
Amanda Rollins’ new role in Law & Order: SVU is an insult to the actress Kelli Giddish after the way she was written out. Rollins is one of the most popular characters in the long-running police procedural. After Giddish’s season 24 exit from Law…
End of content
No more pages to load