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- The Original and Rebooted Lassie
- Leo’s Supporting Role in The New Lassie
- Leonardo DiCaprio’s Long Post-Lassie Career
As I delve into the captivating world of entertainment, I can’t help but be amazed by the fascinating journey of Leonardo DiCaprio – a name synonymous with Hollywood stardom today. But let’s not forget his humble beginnings, where his first real break in the industry came from none other than “The New Lassie.” A show that, while it may not be the first thing to pop into our minds when we think of Leo’s best performances, played a pivotal role in launching his career.
Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the most well-known actors of this generation, having won multiple awards and being active in both films and television for over three decades. Although his longtime fans are familiar with his earlier roles like “Growing Pains” and “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?”, it might be interesting to know that his TV debut was a bit unexpected.
Leo DiCaprio’s initial foray into television came with the 1989 version of “The New Lassie,” a continuation of the classic 1950s “Lassie” series. Although the original Lassie is well-known, some might overlook this subsequent series. Nevertheless, while “The New Lassie” may have become less prominent, DiCaprio’s career certainly did not. Since his debut in that series, DiCaprio has ascended to the top-tier celebrity status he holds today. Although it wasn’t his breakout role, every journey starts somewhere. In essence, “The New Lassie” provided Leo with his first opportunity in the industry, and the rest is history. Let’s delve into this series, examine the role DiCaprio played, and understand how he carved out a career from that initial debut.
The Original and Rebooted Lassie
One of the most famous and enduring TV series in history is Lassie. This show made its debut in 1954, spanning a remarkable 19 seasons before it concluded in 1973. It seems that dog had some exceptional genes. With 591 episodes, Lassie ranks third on the list of scripted primetime broadcast series, trailing only behind Gunsmoke‘s 635 and The Simpsons, which currently stands at over 770+.
During its lengthy span, Lassie experienced numerous adventures. Initially, she was a farm dog and later joined the US Forest Service. Afterward, she spent some time fending for herself in the wild before returning to a farm setting once more. Although it’s said that the Lassie character lived for two decades, various dogs portrayed her throughout the series. In 1989, a new show called “The New Lassie” was introduced, focusing on the McCullough family who owned a descendant of the original Lassie.
In the series, a young Will Estes, known for his role in Blue Bloods, and Dee Wallace, famously from E.T., were among the cast members. Although many new characters and settings were introduced, some familiar faces reappeared from the original series. Jon Provost, who played “Timmy” in the classic show, returned for this sequel as an uncle of the McCulloughs. Unfortunately, the enchantment of Lassie didn’t last a second time, with The New Lassie airing for just two seasons before it ended in 1992.
Leo’s Supporting Role in The New Lassie
Leonardo DiCaprio had limited appearances on this series, making an appearance in only two episodes. He portrayed Glen, a companion of Estes Will McCullough. In his debut episode, Glen joined forces with Will and another friend for a bike race. However, in a common television plot twist, Lassie started giving birth as the race was about to commence. Will decided to let the other friend take his place, who ultimately won the race on their behalf. In his subsequent appearance, Glen, Will, and Lassie ventured to a local store to purchase a baseball card. Later, Will and Lassie returned alone, leaving us with another unexpected TV twist: they were trapped inside when the exit door got stuck, and an escaped rattlesnake bit the shopkeeper. Luckily, Lassie was able to escape and alert Will’s parents, who promptly rescued them from danger.
Few details about DiCaprio’s role and The New Lassie as a whole survive today. While the series doesn’t appear to be available on any major streaming service, many episodes are available to watch for free on YouTube. But it’s not a show you’ll see while browsing online. That’s too bad, as maybe it could have been as big as the original if it had run longer. Any fans of a baby-faced Leo’s early work may want to put this one on their radar.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s Long Post-Lassie Career
It’s worth noting that Leonardo DiCaprio’s breakthrough roles aren’t typically associated with ‘The New Lassie’, but this show was his initial stepping stone into the entertainment industry. Following his stint in ‘The New Lassie’, he landed a recurring part on NBC’s original ‘Parenthood’ series, which lasted only one season. However, this brief stint allowed him to take on the final season of ‘Growing Pains’ in 1991, a role that marked his first significant appearance on television and could be considered his first high-profile small screen role. Since then, DiCaprio has not taken up another scripted television role.
Instead of continuing with television roles, DiCaprio made a shift towards big-screen projects. His movie career began with “Critters 3” in 1991, and his performance in “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?” solidified his rising stardom. In his twenties, he landed the iconic role of Jack Dawson in the film “Titanic.” Nowadays, DiCaprio is a prominent Hollywood figure, recognized for his acting, activism, and sometimes contentious dating history. Although it’s uncertain that his entire career can be attributed to “The New Lassie,” his early success likely wouldn’t have been as significant without it. Currently, DiCaprio’s latest film, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” is available for streaming on Apple TV+.
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2024-10-25 00:31