Chase Infiniti shared an unusual bonding ritual with Leonardo DiCaprio before the cameras rolled on Paul Thomas Anderson’s upcoming film One Battle After Another. Speaking on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on January 14, the 25-year-old actress recalled being handed an electric shaver and told to tidy the Oscar winner’s beard-despite never having used one before.
At a Glance
- Infiniti was asked to shave DiCaprio’s beard as a pre-film bonding exercise
- Director Paul Thomas Anderson assigned the task during final casting sessions
- The actress admits she “didn’t know what I was doing” and left his facial hair crooked
- One Battle After Another won four Golden Globes on January 11, 2026
Why it matters: The anecdote spotlights Anderson’s off-beat directing style and gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at how the cast built chemistry before shooting.
The shaving session that went sideways
Infiniti, who makes her feature-film debut in the political satire, told Kimmel the grooming gig came about while Anderson was still deciding on DiCaprio’s final look. “One of the things that Paul had me do to kind of have me and Leo bond was [shave] his face,” she said. Anderson handed her the shaver and pointed her toward the 51-year-old star’s trailer.
“I don’t know what I’m doing,” Infiniti remembered thinking as she approached the task. The result: a lopsided beard line and a video somewhere in the archives to prove it. “I ended up making it crooked,” she laughed.
Kimmel called the assignment “a weird thing to do,” noting, “That face is like a national treasure.” Infiniti agreed, admitting she “was shaking the entire time” and repeatedly apologized in case she nicked him.
Director’s call, actor’s compliance
When Kimmel asked whether DiCaprio had any veto power over the impromptu shave, Infiniti replied, “It was definitely Paul,” indicating the director’s word on set is final. The moment underscores Anderson’s reputation for unconventional rehearsal techniques.
Awards-season momentum
The grooming story surfaced just three days after One Battle After Another dominated the Golden Globes. The film claimed:
- Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
- Best Director for Anderson
- Best Screenplay for Anderson
- Best Supporting Actress for Teyana Taylor
The project topped Blue Moon, Bugonia, Marty Supreme, No Other Choice, and Nouvelle Vague for the top prize.
Off-camera TikToks and calm first days
Infiniti told News Of Losangeles in November that she and DiCaprio also bonded by filming TikTok trends between takes. “I would show him trends… By the end of it, he got really into it,” she said on the Gotham Awards red carpet.
Despite the high-profile surroundings, Infiniti said she felt “very calm” on her first day shooting scenes with DiCaprio, who plays her character’s father. She credited advance workshops with the actor for easing any nerves.
Key takeaways
- Anderson used a hands-on tactic to build chemistry between his leads
- Infiniti’s candid retelling highlights the trust DiCaprio placed in both her and the director
- The film’s four Golden Globe wins signal strong awards-season potential ahead of the Critics Choice and Oscar ceremonies
