When Sharon Stone came to Leonardo Di Caprio help. Leonardo DiCaprio recently opened up about a remarkable gesture of generosity from Sharon Stone that altered the trajectory of his career in 1995. In a candid conversation with E! News, the Oscar-winning actor recounted how Stone, a stalwart in the industry, went above and beyond to ensure he was cast in Sam Raimi's Western drama, The Quick and the Dead, when the studio initially hesitated.
DiCaprio expressed his gratitude, acknowledging Stone's pivotal role in securing his place in the film. He shared, “She said, ‘These are the two actors I want to work with. It’s incredible. She’s been a huge champion of cinema and giving other actors opportunities, so I’m very thankful. I’ve thanked her many times. I don’t know if I sent her an actual, physical thank-you gift, but I cannot thank her enough.”
Sharon Stone had previously detailed this extraordinary incident in her memoir, "The Beauty of Living Twice." Recounting the audition process, she wrote, “This kid named Leonardo DiCaprio was the only one who nailed the audition. In my opinion, he was the only one who came in and cried, begging his father to love him as he died in the scene... The studio said if I wanted him so much, I could pay him out of my own salary. So I did."
The film, "The Quick and the Dead," preceded DiCaprio's meteoric rise with James Cameron's blockbuster "Titanic," marking a pivotal juncture in his illustrious career. His recent venture, Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon," where he stars alongside Robert De Niro and Lily Gladstone, hit theaters on October 20, showcasing his continued prowess as one of Hollywood's leading talents.