Stephen Graham, the English actor known for his intense character work and recent role in Netflix’s Adolescence, offered a hilarious, and slightly terrifying, throwback story about his early days working with Leonardo DiCaprio during the filming of Gangs of New York in 2002. In a conversation on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Graham admitted that a carefree moment on set almost turned into a serious injury for his co-star.
The incident began innocently enough. While filming Martin Scorsese’s epic historical drama at Rome’s Cinecittà Studios, DiCaprio was driving a golf cart commonly used on large sets to ferry actors around. Curious and feeling bold, Graham asked if he could take a turn behind the wheel. “He was like, ‘Uh… yeah, okay,’” Graham told host Jimmy Fallon, recalling how he and DiCaprio, joined by their co-star Alec McCowen in the back, set off for what was supposed to be a fun little ride.
But fun quickly turned into farce when the golf cart approached a steep hill. As Graham explained, golf carts may not be fast on flat ground, but “going downhill, they are.” Taking his foot to the floor, he sent the little vehicle hurtling forward. The ride very quickly became more Flintstones than friendly set transport.
Trying to stop the descent only made things worse. Graham attempted to shift into reverse, hoping to slow the cart, but instead locked the back wheels. As he turned the wheel, the cart began tipping. “It’s falling really slowly,” he said, describing the moment in vivid slow motion, “and I’m like, ‘Wait a minute,’ and [DiCaprio’s] looking at me and he’s going, ‘What the f—?’”
For a frightening moment, it appeared that DiCaprio’s leg might be seriously injured by the falling cart. Thankfully, he managed to leap out just in time, escaping with no major injuries. The episode could have derailed production on the Oscar-nominated film — but instead it became a memorable on-set story.
While the mishap didn’t cause real harm, it did earn Graham a new nickname among his colleagues. Alec McCowen, shaken but amused, reportedly called him “an animal,” and the name stuck. From then on, many on set referred to him simply as “Animal.”
Graham’s recounting of the incident resonated because it highlighted just how unpredictable life can be on a film set, even during what seem like mundane moments. The fact that the cast and crew can look back and laugh at something that might have turned into a disaster underscores both their professionalism and the camaraderie that develops during long shoots.
For fans of Gangs of New York, a film that featured an ensemble cast including DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, Cameron Diaz, and John C. Reilly, the story adds a quirky behind-the-scenes moment to a production already rich with cinematic lore. And for Stephen Graham, it’s another anecdote in a career filled with vivid roles and unforgettable experiences.
