Ike Barinholtz wants to get “the ultimate movie star” Leonardo DiCaprio on The Studio season 2.
“He’s very funny and cool,” Barinholtz, 48, told Us Weekly exclusively of DiCaprio, 50, on the 2025 Emmy Awards red carpet at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 14.
Barinholtz starred as Seth Rogen’s right-hand man Sal Saperstein in the Apple TV+ series The Studio, which premiered in March. The critically acclaimed first season featured cameos from A-listers like Martin Scorsese, Charlize Theron and Zac Efron, among others.
Following its success, the streaming service renewed The Studio for a second season — but Barinholtz doesn’t know anything about that.
“They’re just starting to cook right now and starting to get it ready,” he told Us. “I’ve heard rumors, but nothing confirmed, so I don’t wanna falsely tease anyone. Knowing these guys, they’re gonna go big.”
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The Studio was created by Rogen (who won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series during Sunday’s awards show) and his creative partner, Evan Goldberg.
Barinholtz couldn’t help but gush over Rogen while chatting with Us.
“He’s so funny and just a wonderful, nice guy,” the actor said of his costar. “We share common tastes and stuff. Just a wonderful guy. Canadian, go figure.”
Barinholtz was also nominated on Sunday, losing in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series category to Jeff Hiller, who plays Joel on HBO’s Somebody Somewhere.
Although he didn’t win big, Barinholtz did hope to turn his Emmys nomination into a money-making opportunity.
“I am really trying to figure out how I get paid from this,” Barinholtz told Vulture in July. “I’m trying to find some branding deals. I’m looking forward to getting paid.”
The actor also praised Rogen and Goldberg for their “honest” portrayal about “where the world is at and where our business is within that world” during this period.
“I think The Studio resonated with people and friends who work on all sides of the industry in part because everyone is just much more of a realist these days,” he explained. “But we’re entertainers; we still believe in and love what we do, even if the future is uncertain.”
Viewers have also “definitely” been yelling Sal Saperstein at him in public — and it’s “definitely welcome” from Barinholtz.
“It’s not a curse or something profane that people yell at me at an airport, and then I have to explain to my children what they’re talking about,” he joked. “It’s a pleasant Jewish man’s name, and it really tickles me. If people call you out for a show that you love and you’re proud of, it’s just gonna make you happy. And if it doesn’t, you might be a d***.”
