Tonight on TV: At 19, Leonardo DiCaprio was already a stunner and stole the show from Johnny Depp

As a teenager, Leonardo DiCaprio made commercials and took small roles on television. In 1993, he was chosen out of 400 candidates to play Robert De Niro’s brother-in-law in Secret Wounds. In the same year, the budding comedian was offered a very well-paid role in the film Hocus Pocus: The Three Witches, but he preferred to devote himself to the film Gilbert Grape.

• Want another TV tip tonight? We recommend the French Fast & Furious, which became a hit all over the world!

Adapted by Peter Hedges from his own novel, the story immerses us in the heart of a family from deep America and especially deals with disability, from the point of view of Gilbert Grape. After the death of his father, he took on the responsibility of the head of the family, taking care of his fat mother and mentally ill brother.

For the title role, director Lasse Hallström will hire Johnny Depp, who is already known thanks to the TV series 21 Jump Street and the movie Edward Scissorhands. Thus, the latter responds to the then 19-year-old Leonardo DiCaprio, who literally bluffed the director during his audition. Fully invested in the role of Arnie, the young man also went several times to specialized institutions to observe the behavior of children.

When the film was released, her performance was well received by the audience as well as critics and her peers. Awarded a New Generation Award, it also earned a double nomination as Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Globes and the Oscars.

Gilbert Grape By Lass Holstrom with Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette Lewis…

Tonight on Arte at 9 o’clock.