The Amazing Improvisation Leonardo DiCaprio And Jonah Hill Worked Into Wolf Of Wall Street

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Leonardo DiCaprio is known for his impressive career in film. He’s starred in huge hits like Titanic, collaborated with acclaimed director Martin Scorsese, and recently led the critically praised film One Battle After Another. DiCaprio consistently demonstrates why he’s considered one of the best actors of his generation. He recently shared memories of his work on The Wolf of Wall Street, explaining that the movie benefited from a relaxed atmosphere and a lot of spontaneous, collaborative acting with Jonah Hill.

Leonardo DiCaprio recently spoke with Time Magazine as part of their Entertainer of the Year feature, discussing some of his most famous films, including The Revenant and even his early role on Growing Pains. The conversation naturally turned to The Wolf of Wall Street, where his on-screen chemistry with Jonah Hill was remarkable. They collaborated again later as producers. DiCaprio praised Hill’s impressive improvisational skills, noting that they were a key ingredient in the film’s chaotic energy. He explained that:

Working with Jonah Hill was fantastic. He’s one of the best improvisers I’ve ever collaborated with, and our scenes together felt truly special and exciting. You never quite knew where the conversation would go, which made it a really fun and unpredictable part of the movie.

Others who worked with Jonah Hill have echoed this feeling. Last year, famed actor and director Rob Reiner shared in an interview that Hill is a remarkably gifted improviser. Reiner even recounted how one of the most hilarious scenes in The Wolf of Wall Street was completely made up on the spot between himself and Hill, as he told Interview Magazine:

Scorsese encouraged actors to improvise, and Jonah Hill and I had a memorable, unscripted scene in The Wolf of Wall Street. I questioned their extravagant spending, asking about a $26,000 meal bill. When I asked what justified the cost, he replied they’d ordered a lot of side dishes. I playfully pressed him, asking if these sides were some kind of miracle cure, and he jokingly said they actually were.

The movie The Wolf of Wall Street is truly iconic and unforgettable. It’s one of those films you can jump into at any moment and still enjoy. It’s both highly entertaining and surprisingly well-written, even though some of the dialogue seemed to be improvised. Leonardo DiCaprio believes the film’s success was largely due to the relaxed and playful atmosphere Martin Scorsese created on set, which allowed the actors freedom to experiment with their performances. He explained:

It was one of the most liberating, energetic, and funny movie sets I’ve ever experienced. I’d never seen Martin Scorsese so joyful on set – there was a real lack of strict rules, which allowed for a lot of creativity.

This project sounds incredibly fun. Although it required a lot from DiCaprio – including intense scenes and complex dialogue – he clearly enjoyed the experience. He talks about that period of his career with a lot of warmth, and I’d love to see him take on such a dynamic role again. Thankfully, he’s reuniting with Scorsese for a new film, What Happens at Night, and I’m hoping they can recapture that same energy. I’m really looking forward to seeing what they create.

Enjoy a re-watch of The Wolf of Wall Street with Jonah Hill and Leonardo DiCaprio, now on Peacock. And if you’re a fan of DiCaprio, don’t miss his recently acclaimed performance in One Battle After Another, available on HBO Max.

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2026-01-19 17:08