Interview: Actor Tilda Del Toro Plays a Key Role in ‘Capone’

CHICAGO – “Capone” is the new Video-on-Demand release featuring Tom Hardy as the title character, and besides the obvious Chicago connection to the infamous gangster there are a number of supporting players in the film that are familiar – like Matt Dillon and Kyle MacLachlan – and new to the scene, like Tilda Del Toro.

“Capone” is a biopic that chronicles the final days of the notorious gangster. The 47-year old Al Capone, after 10 years in prison, remains under federal watch, as they think he may be faking his insanity. Forced to sell many of his belongings to pay his debts, Capone begins to have hallucinations, loses control of his motor functions, starts suffering from dementia and comes to be haunted by his violent past.

Tilda Del Toro is Mona Lisa in ‘Capone’
Photo credit: Vertical Entertainment

Tilda Del Toro portrays the mysterious lover from Al Capone’s past … appropriately named Mona Lisa … who possesses a big secret. Alluring with 1920’s glamour, the role is a fictional one, curated by possible true events in Capone’s life. Del Toro’s character represents a significant turning point in “Capone.” She is both real and a hallucination, and provides a strikingly significant glance into the private, secret relationship that leaves more questions than answers.

Tilda Del Toro is a Chicago-born Latina actress currently based in Los Angeles, and made her major film debut in “Our Brand is Crisis” (2015). Three years later, she was featured in the Kevin Hart/Tiffany Haddish comedy “Night School.” Jeff Doles of HollywoodChicago.com recently talked to Del Toro about “Capone.”

HollywoodChicago.com: How did your character Mona Lisa get her name? Was she real or was it just a nickname for a number of Capone’s lovers?


Tilda Del Toro: Yes, that is her real name. Given the reveal in the film, that’s all I can say about Mona Lisa in regards to her name and who she is. 

HollywoodChicago.com: What element of Mona Lisa’s character did you understand the most when you first read the script and how did it come out in your performance?

Del Toro: She is a person in the world of Al Capone … meaning another person who is affected by him like everyone else he came across. 

HollywoodChicago.com: What type of scene partner was Tom Hardy, was he easy to connect to in how he was interpreting ‘Capone’?

Del Toro: He was very present and kind. 

HollywoodChicago.com: What happened on the set that you didn’t expect, and what kind of adjustment did you make?

Del Toro: Everything went as planned. Josh Trank, the writer and director, had a specific vision for the film. 

HollywoodChicago.com: At what point in your career did you finally feel most comfortable doing acting in front of a camera, and how did that breakthrough occur?

Del Toro: It came from experience. Every time I worked I became more in depth with being there. My unconscious mind makes decisions, often like being a musician and becoming more familiar with the instrument. 

HollywoodChicago.com: How did set and costume design capture the time period?

Del Toro: Amy Westcott is an amazing costume designer and she was just absolutely wonderful to work with … the costuming was so detailed and just perfect in my opinion. Jessica Stumpf was the set designer and was amazing as well. As the actor. I am not someone who was in the planning of capturing the time period via costume design or set design, but I can tell you that in my experience everyone was committed to detail and that’s how it was captured. 

HollywoodChicago.com: How does a serious drama like ‘Capone’ compare to something like ‘Night School’ as far as being on set? Is it different for a comedy versus a drama?

Del Toro: I think every set is different. Between ‘Night School’ and ‘Capone’ one thing is the same … everyone was committed to the best work possible.

Interview by: Jeff Doles
Published by: Patrick McDonald, Editor, HollywoodChicago.com