Gloria Steinem, the icon of American feminism, was one of the most prominent critics of American Psycho and even reportedly convinced Leonardo DiCaprio to leave the film. Later, her stepson Christian Bale played the title character

Gloria Steinem, the celebrated author, journalist and feminist activist who became one of the most recognizable voices of the U.S. women’s movement, died at 92 on September 2, 2026. Her foundation said she passed away peacefully at her home in New York City.

Steinem was a staunch critic of Bret Easton Ellis’ 1991 novel American Psycho, which drew widespread controversy for its graphic depictions of violence against women. She also became connected to the story in a deeply ironic way: Steinem later became Christian Bale’s stepmother after marrying his father, David Bale, in September 2000.

The connection became even more striking because Bale went on to portray Patrick Bateman, the novel’s central character, in the 2000 film adaptation.


Before Bale landed the role, however, Leonardo DiCaprio was attached to play Bateman. Lions Gate announced DiCaprio’s involvement at the Cannes Film Festival in May 1998, while director Mary Harron had opposed the casting partly because of the actor’s large teenage-girl fan base.

According to American Psycho co-writer Guinevere Turner, Steinem was strongly opposed to the project and reportedly spoke to DiCaprio about the concerns surrounding the film and his young audience. Turner later said she believed Steinem’s intervention contributed to DiCaprio leaving the project, although that account has been described as a rumor rather than an independently established fact.

DiCaprio eventually departed the project, choosing to make Danny Boyle’s The Beach instead, while Oliver Stone also left as director. Harron was subsequently brought back, and Bale ultimately secured the role of Patrick Bateman.

Bale had remained committed to the part even while the studio was pursuing DiCaprio. He reportedly continued preparing for the role and turned down other work for months, convinced that the project would eventually return to him.

The result was one of cinema’s most memorable casting twists: a film adaptation of a novel fiercely criticized by Bale’s future stepmother ended up starring Bale himself as its notorious protagonist.

Steinem and Bale’s connection was, of course, more than a Hollywood footnote. Steinem became one of the defining figures of modern American feminism, co-founding Ms. magazine and spending decades campaigning for women’s equality and reproductive rights. She remained active well into her 80s and 90s, continuing to speak and write about social issues until shortly before her death.

All about American Psycho

American Psycho follows Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), a wealthy and seemingly successful investment banker living in Manhattan in the late 1980s. Behind his polished appearance and privileged lifestyle, Bateman leads a disturbing double life, becoming increasingly consumed by violent fantasies and acts of murder. As his obsession with status, appearance, money and power grows, the film blurs the line between reality and Bateman’s increasingly unstable mind, leaving viewers questioning which events actually happened and which may have existed only in his imagination.