In a private conversation, the actor admitted to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin that he is half Russian
Hollywood dreamboat Leonardo DiCaprio managed to get to St. Petersburg this week for the International Tiger Conservation Forum (for more details see KP issues for November 23-24 and the kp.ru website). DiCaprio is a notorious animal lover. Apparently, he is also a man without a superstitious imagination. In what could have been an ominous omen for his visit to Russia, the aircraft on which he flew to Moscow last Monday had to make an emergency landing in New York after one of its engines caught fire.
The actor did not give up and made the rest of the journey on a small private plane. It is rumoured that the aircraft was provided by Russian businessman Vladislav Doronin, whose current flame – top model Naomi Campbell – was giving a charity concert for the endangered tigers as part of the St. Petersburg programme. DiCaprio arrived in the city by the start of the event.
Opening the concert, Putin said: "I'd like to say a few special words about this famous American actor, beloved in many countries, and not only because he has contributed a million dollars of his own money to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), although we thank him for it. But that's not all he's done." Putin continued: "He broke into St. Petersburg as if he were crossing a frontline. A real man! If tigers and other animals are protected by such people, we are doomed to succeed."
After the performance of rock bands from China, Malaysia, and Russia (our country was represented by Ilya Lagutenko from Mumiy Troll), the prime minister talked to DiCaprio tête-à-tête. They started their conversation with tigers.
DiCaprio told Putin knowingly that Russia has large areas available for protecting these animals.
"They don't just need areas. More than that, they'll need a food source," Putin said.
The pair then discussed DiCaprio's ethnic origin, which turned out to be partly Russian. DiCaprio said that the family name of his ancestors was Smirnov. "This is a famous name," Putin smiled and asked: "Do you speak Russian?"
DiCaprio said that he doesn't, but that his granny would have been happy to speak with Putin. He said he always wanted to bring her to St. Petersburg, but regrettably, she died two years ago. The actor's grandfather was also Russian. DiCaprio confessed that he is a half rather than a quarter Russian by origin.
"I'm sure that when you see St. Petersburg tomorrow, you will be proud of your Russian roots," Putin said.
DiCaprio replied that he was looking forward to it.
A report on the actor's tour of St. Petersburg is available on page 22.
Maxim Volodin