8. Leonardo DiCaprio Turned Down The Role Of Dirk Diggler And Suggested Mark Wahlberg
Boogie Nights was without a doubt the film that truly catapulted Paul Thomas Anderson into the spotlight, its success giving him the freedom to do as he pleased when it came to writing and directing Magnolia. It also launched he career of Mark Wahlberg, who has since gone on to become one of the highest paid stars in the film industry. Wahlberg's career could easily have turned out differently, however - originally, Anderson had Leonardo DiCaprio lined up for the part of Dirk Diggler. It was only because DiCaprio decided to take the lead in Titanic that the part went to Wahlberg after DiCaprio suggested him to Anderson, having worked with him on Basketball Diaries. Wahlberg's career might never have picked up were it not for Boogie Nights - although, considering films like Pain And Gain and his transition to the Transformers franchise, might not have been such a bad thing.