Leonardo DiCaprio was born Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio on November 11, 1974 in Hollywood, California, but is known by all as simply, Leo. His mother gave Leonardo the prominent name as a result of Leo's decision to kick her in the womb while she was standing in front of a DaVinci painting. His mother simply took it as a sign of bigger things to come for her baby boy; it seems his mother was right.
Leo began his career very early. At only three years of age Leo starred in an an educational program, "Romper Room" (est.1953). Quite the tempestuous child, rumor has it he was nearly kicked off the show for his uncontrollable behavior. But at age 10, Leonardo had an agent, a humble resume, and the potential makings of an acting career. Although he was advised to change his name to the more "American-friendly", Lenny Williams, Leo decided against the name alteration and it seems he's done just fine as the "Leo" audiences have come to know and love worldwide.
DiCaprio first publicity spot was for a "milk" advertisement.. After a string of commercials, educational films (including "Mickey's Safety Club"), and occasional appearances in TV series, it seems Leo was ready for his big film debut; that moment came via the 1991 film CRITTERS 3. But Leo's breakthrough role came in 1993's THIS BOY'S LIFE where he played the memorable role of Toby. His performance encouraged the New York Film Critics and the National Society of Film Critics organizations to nominate Leonardo as a runner-up for Best Supporting Actor. His first Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations came for the difficult role of mentally disabled Arnie in the touching film WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE (1993). He starred opposite an A-list cast including Johnny Depp.
After Leonardo's stellar performance as Jack Dawson in the 1997 major motion picture TITANIC, his superstardom was at an all-time high. In fact, TITANIC was the highest grossing film ever and tied with 1959's BEN-HUR for the total number of Oscar nominations. Ironically, DiCaprio was offered the role of the porn star Dirk Digger in BOOGIE NIGHTS (1997) the same time as he was offered his role in TITANIC.
DiCaprio and his family funded a state-of-the-art computer center at the Los Feliz branch of the Los Angeles Public Library, which was rebuilt after the 1994 Northridge earthquake.
In January 1999, DiCaprio's lawyers filed an application to allow DiCaprio to copyright his own name.
In October 1997 Leo was Ranked #75 in Empire (UK) magazine's "The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time" list. That same year Leo was chosen by People Magazine as one of the "50 Most Beautiful People in the World." 1997. He would make the rankings again in 1998.
Leonardo also ranked #6 in Star TV's "Top 10 Box Office Stars of the 1990s" in 2003. That same year DiCaprio was ranked #42 in Premiere's 2003 annual "Power 100" list. He has previously been ranked #74 in 2002 and #60 in 2001.
Leonardo DiCaprio's other notable credits include...
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD (2008)
BLOOD DIAMOND (2006)
THE DEPARTED (2006)
THE AVIATOR (2004)
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (2002)
GANGS OF NEW YORK (2002)
THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK (1998)
TITANIC (1997)
ROMEO + JULIET (1996)
THE BASKETBALL DIARIES (1995)
THE QUICK AND THE DEAD (1995)
WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE (1993)
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