Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire are truly friendship goals. The two celebrities have consistently busted the myth that long-lasting friendships between A-list stars in Hollywood cannot stand the test of time. Despite being constantly in competition with each other for roles, DiCaprio and Maguire have forged an endearing bond that began when both stars were 12 years old.
The Departed actor and the Spider-Man star who began their career at a very young age in Hollywood, first met at an audition and continued to bump into each other regularly while trying for the same roles. DiCaprio once recalled their introduction to each other and reminisced about the funny situation when the Pleasantville actor’s mother warned her son to be wary of him.
When Tobey Maguire’s Mom Warned Him About Leonardo DiCaprio
Through their individual journeys to the top in Hollywood, Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire have also nurtured a unique friendship that began when both actors started auditioning for roles at the age of 12. Despite being in a cutthroat industry, DiCaprio and Maguire supported each other’s dreams and went on to share screen space in films like This Boy’s Life, The Great Gatsby, and Don’s Plum.
Over the years and their varied career paths, the two celebrities have continued to be the best of friends and have proved that it is possible to separate professional rivalry from personal friendships. But the two stars could have potentially become sparring rivals if Maguire had listened to his mother’s protective warning.
In an interview (via YouTube), DiCaprio recalled the funny incident that occurred when he first met the Brothers star during an audition. Noticing his outgoing and enthusiastic nature, Maguire’s mother had words of caution for her son.
“You know there’s this whole dynamic with mothers there, like what kid is doing what, and I was just doing karate kicks over him and having a good time. And she said, ‘watch out for that kid, he’s trying to psyche you out Tobey, don’t get into his mind games’”
Despite both stars being in an extremely competitive environment as young kids, DiCaprio and Maguire were able to look beyond these barriers to connect seamlessly on a personal level as buddies. The rest, as they say, is history.
The Secret Behind Leonardo DiCaprio And Tobey Maguire’s Friendship
While sustaining a friendship under normal circumstances takes effort, Tobey Maguire and Leonardo DiCaprio have proved that it is possible to do the same in a much more challenging domain as two successful celebrities and professional rivals. From meeting as aspiring child actors to carving their individual paths to stardom in Hollywood, they are a shining example of a camaraderie that can last the test of time.
While Maguire has been hugely successful through his stint in the Spider-Man franchise and other marquee films in his career, DiCaprio is a bonafide superstar in Hollywood, having earned massive commercial success and critical acclaim through varied roles and collaborations with prolific directors. So how did the two friends manage to remain close amidst constant comparisons and pressure? Tobey Maguire gave an apt answer to The Guardian when he said,
“I think we have a lot of confidence in our own individual paths, so whether it’s with each other, or other friends of ours, we root for them. We’re fans of our greatest competitors. We can joke with each other about competition, but are supportive. I have a whole bunch of friends like that. I’m glad that’s the culture of my group.”
This maturity that both stars showed as young boys and later as adults, was a defining factor in keeping their bond intact in an industry like Hollywood. Through success and failure, DiCaprio and Maguire have proved that nothing can come in the way of their relationship.
