Leonardo DiCaprio‘s big-screen success might owe a surprising debt to the ’90s show that rejected him. DiCaprio has led one of the most impressive careers in Hollywood, and the 1990s were a formative period for the actor. Although some of his earlier performances were not well-received by critics, these years yielded many of his most acclaimed and notable roles.

DiCaprio launched his career at a young age, rapidly ascending to the esteemed status he holds today. DiCaprio’s public persona is so intertwined with roles like тιтanic that it’s hard to conceive of him outside them. However, the actor almost landed a role in the 11-season series about lifeguards on the beaches of California, and it would have redirected many of DiCaprio’s best performances.

David Hᴀsselhoff Turned Leonardo DiCaprio Down For Baywatch

DiCaprio Was Considered For The Role Of Hobie Buchannon

DiCaprio was nearly cast in the American drama Baywatch, but series lead David Hᴀsselhoff vetoed the decision. Ultimately, DiCaprio’s age was the deciding factor that prevented him from being cast in the series, as he was around 15 years old at the time. However, according to reports, the rising star was turned down by Hᴀsselhoff for numerous reasons.

Jeremy Jackson, then around nine years old, replaced the original choice for the role of Hobie Buchannon. When the studio was deliberating between the pair, Hᴀsselhoff reportedly told the crew, “no, no, no, take the kid,” (via The Guardian) over DiCaprio. With that in mind, the process of casting these young actors was particularly strange, especially considering Baywatch‘s clear emphasis on appearance.

Baywatch star Billy Warlock has previously stated: “You had to be pretty [to be cast], else you weren’t going to be on the show” (via The Guardian). It’s certainly plausible, and some reports suggest Hᴀsselhoff was worried DiCaprio playing his son would make him (Hᴀsselhoff) seem old. During an interview with one of Baywatch‘s original producers, it was said that “[Hᴀsselhoff] had a lot of concerns of that type” (The Independent).

Starring In Baywatch Would’ve Surely Changed The Course Of DiCaprio’s Career

It Worked Out For The Best That DiCaprio Did Not Star In Baywatch

When DiCaprio was considered for the role of Hobie in Baywatch around 1991, it was only the very beginning of the actor’s career, and the character went on to appear in the series for years. Thankfully, DiCaprio wasn’t cast, as it would have significantly changed the trajectory of his early career and film choices.

Many of Leonardo DiCaprio‘s most iconic and career-defining performances, including his roles in 1993’s What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and 1997’s тιтanic, came about during the 1990s. Had he signed on for several seasons of Baywatch, he probably wouldn’t have had time for his other major roles, meaning the actor’s eclectic filmography would be fundamentally different if not nonexistent.

Source: After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun, The Guardian, The Independent