Born to be in the Movies

Leonardo Wilhelm “Leo” DiCaprio was born in Los Angeles, California to a bohemian artist, George DiCaprio, and German immigrant, Irmelin Indenbirken. Irmelin’s family migrated to the United States in the 1950s and she met George while they were both in college. Leo traces his ancestry back in Russia where Irmelin’s mother, Helene Indenbirken, was born. George and Irmelin moved to Los Angeles when they got married and she gave birth to a healthy baby boy on 11 November 1974.

Leo’s name has an interesting story. According to an interview he did with Wall Street Journal, this is how he got to be called Leonardo:

"My dad says he and my mom were visiting the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy, and stopped to look at a Leonardo da Vinci painting. My mom was pregnant with me, and I started kicking furiously, so my dad said, "That is an omen." I actually went to the Uffizi a while ago, but I could never figure out which painting they saw." (Source: The Wall Street Journal)

Barely a year after Leo was born, George and Irmelin decided to get a divorce but have remained friends ever since. Leo somehow remained in contact with his artist father who is used to living an eccentric lifestyle. He would later on say that it’s his father’s artistic tendencies that largely influenced his preferences may it be in books, movies, or artwork.

From the young age of three, Leo got into the set of “Romper Room,” a television series for kids, but was booted out due to his insufferable behavior. Irmelin eventually remarried, which explains how Leo had a stepbrother named Adam Farrar. He attended Seeds Elementary School and enrolled in Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies where he completed a four-year-program before going to high school. He finished his secondary education in John Marshall High School.

A Convincing Child Actor

Living around the Los Angeles area, Leo had a yearning to join the world of show business even when he was still too young to figure out what he really wanted in life. Thanks to his parents’ support, Leo’s flair for acting was cultivated as he went from one audition to another. He started as a commercial talent and was soon cast in television series. The first TV project he had was for “The New Lassie” where he appeared in two episodes, namely “New Generation” and “Snake Pit” as Glen. In 1990, he appeared in “The Outsiders” TV series co-directed by Francis Ford Coppola where he portrayed the role of the kid fighting scout.

Success was elusive for Leo at first and he had to work hard to earn a name in Hollywood. For someone like him who did not know anyone in the industry, it was daunting to land a titular role. Acting did not really strike him as something he’d like to do for life back when he was young. In fact, it was his stepbrother who first tried his hands at acting. Leo only followed suit. It proved to be a good move, albeit slow progress.

Initially, Leo did not know how to begin infiltrating Hollywood. He tells Larry King:

"Yes. Well, I grew up in Los Angeles. I never quite felt that I was attached to the business. I always thought it was this elite club that you had to find membership to. And then I realized at a young age that all you had to do was really get an agent and start going out on auditions. And that's how it all started for me." (Source: CNN)

He was turned down by an agent because of his name. The agent suggested that he go by the name “Lenny Williams” but Leo refused and just went looking for another handler who would allow him to be known by his real name.

It was during auditioning for his third TV series, “Parenthood,” that he became friends with Tobey Maguire. They have met in previous auditions before and Leo felt drawn to him because Tobey also did not have a father and belonged to the same class as far as financial status was concerned. Leo got the part of Garry Buckman in “Parenthood” and was later on nominated for Best Young Actor Starring in a Television Series in the Young Artist Awards. He would be nominated for Best Young Actor in a Daytime Series and again for Best Young Actor Starring in a Television Series in his portrayal of Young Mason Capwell in "Santa Barbara" and Luke Brower in "Growing Pains" respectively.

More Successful Movies Ahead

What kick started Leo’s career was the 1993 film, “This Boy's Life.” Among the 400 who auditioned, Leo was handpicked by Robert De Niro who acted opposite him along with Ellen Barkin. Leo snatched the second place in the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor as Tobias 'Toby' Wolff. From then on, Leo’s acting prowess would precede him. In the same year, Leo was again seen in the movie “What's Eating Gilbert Grape” playing the mentally-challenged brother of Johnny Depp—Arnie Grape. It was nothing short of a compelling depiction of somebody suffering from mental illness. Leo played the part with incredible authenticity that people used to think he was a real patient. The following are just some of the accolades he received doing the movie: Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Emerging Actor, National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actor, National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor (2nd place), New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor (2nd place), Nominated—Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, and Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture. It was his first Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations, quite a feat for a boy of 19.

Leo would then go on to play the character of a homosexual, Arthur Rimbaud, in “Total Eclipse.” It was his portrayal of the third sex that opened his eyes to the stigma that they had to endure because of their sexual preference. When Leo was already a renowned actor, he became a staunch supporter of GLAAD, an organization that seeks to improve the image of homosexuals in the media.

The following year, Leo played Romeo Montague in Baz Luhrmann’s version of “Romeo + Juliet” where he acted opposite Claire Danes. It solidified Leo’s proficiency in playing just about any character. Women swoon over him considering that he played a homosexual in his previous movie. Leo’s performance earned him the Silver Bear for Best Actor - Berlin International Film Festival and the Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actor – Romance. He was also nominated for MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo (Shared with Claire Danes), Best Kiss (Shared with Claire Danes), and Best Performance.

Leo and Robert De Niro worked together once more in “Marvin’s Room” where he played the part of a troubled teenager named Hank. He won a Chlotrudis Award for Best Supporting Actor and was nominated in the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. His previous success was overshadowed by his top-grossing film, “Titanic.” Directed by James Cameron, Titanic earned rave reviews and stayed in the box office for months. It earned over a billion dollars, easily making Leo a box office star. But more than anything else, it’s the friendship he formed with co-star Kate Winslet that he considered most memorable. They became so close that Leo gave Kate away when she recently married Richard Branson’s nephew, Ned Rocknroll. Titanic won multiple awards in prestigious award-giving bodies and gave Leo the following achievements: given the Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actor – Drama, won the MTV Movie Award for Best Male Performance, became Teen Choice Award for Sexiest Man of 1997, nominated in Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama, MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo (Shared with Kate Winslet) and Best Kiss (Shared with Kate Winslet), Satellite Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama, and Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

After that, Leo’s life was never the same again. What’s unbelievable was the fact that Leo managed to keep a private life in spite of his fame. He’s maintained a resolute career and his image is pristine.

In spite of the celebrity status accorded to him following Titanic’s success, Leo felt that he is yet to prove himself as an actor. Since watching the Martin Scorsese movie, “Taxi,” as a young boy, Leo has aspired to one day work with the Italian director. That wish came true when his agent managed to have Martin cast him in his 2002 film, “Gangs of New York.” He played the character of Amsterdam Vallon who was out to get the villain, Daniel Day Lewis, pay for killing his father. The movie was a critical and financial success. It ushered what would become the most potent tandem in Hollywood history—the Scorsese-DiCaprio films. Before their second collaboration, Leo would first work with another respected director, Steven Spielberg, for the movie “Catch Me If You Can.” Leo charmed the viewers with his boyish appeal as the sixties con-man named, Frank Abagnale Jr. opposite Tom Hanks. The movie was both a critical and box office hit, however, it was outdone by Leo and Martin’s second project, “The Aviator.” It gave Leo a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor aside from the MTV Movie Award for Best Performance and nominations from the Academy Award (for Best Actor), BAFTA Award (for Best Actor in a Leading Role), Broadcast Film Critics Association Award (for Best Actor), London Film Critics Circle Award (for Best Actor), Online Film Critics Society Award (for Best Actor), Screen Actors Guild Award (for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture), Screen Actors Guild Award (for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role), and Teen Choice Award (for Choice Movie Actor – Drama).

The year 2006 was a busy year for Leo as he filmed two equally successful films, “The Departed” and “Blood Diamond.” “The Departed” is his third collaboration with Martin Scorsese who describes Leo as:

"He reminds me of that excitement when De Niro and I stumbled upon a way of working together - a similar kind of energy to the actors in the 1970s. It's very rare for me to find that kind of connection again. Leo will give me the emotion where I least expect it and could only hope for in about three or four scenes. And he can do it take after take." (Source: The Guardian)

In 2008, Leo did “Body of Lies” and “Revolutionary Road.” Revolutionary Road is indeed revolutionary as Leo reunites with Kate Winslet—then married to Sam Mendes, the movies director. What’s even weirder is that they did a love scene and Sam shot it. Leo got two nominations from Golden Globe and Satellite Awards.

Martin and Leo team up once more for “Shutter Island” which gave Leo the Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor – Horror/Thriller. His Christopher Nolan movie, “Inception,” was out of this world but still managed to gross in the box office. Leo received the Scream Award for Best Science Fiction Actor and nominated in the Empire Award for Best Actor, MTV Movie Award for Best WTF Moment (Shared with Ellen Page), People's Choice Award for Favorite Movie Actor, People's Choice Award for Favorite On-Screen Team, Saturn Award for Best Actor, Satellite Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama, and Scream Award for Best Ensemble for his depiction of Dom Cobb. It had a cutting-edge plot, which is expected of a Nolan film, but Leonardo made it appeal to the mainstream movie-goers nevertheless.

By now, it’s safe to assume that Leo only wanted to work with the best directors. Clint Eastwood directed him in J. Edgar Hoover’s biopic, “J. Edgar,” where he was made to wear prosthetics so he’d look old for the part. In 2012, he was cast as Calvin Candie in Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained.” There, Leo appeared as the villain with stained teeth. But no matter how Leo looked, his talent still manages to shine. He received the National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actor and earned nominations for his amazing portrayal.

His director in “Romeo + Juliet” worked with him again in “The Great Gatsby” where he played the mysterious party-obsessed millionaire, Jay Gatsby, from the novel authored by F. Scott Fitzgerald of the same title. Leo and Martin are now working on their fifth movie “The Wolf of Wall Street” to be released in 2013.

Leo Attacked by a Model

Aretha Wilson was sentenced to a six-month imprisonment after attacking Leo with a broken wine glass, slashing the actor’s flawless face. The two ran into each other in 2005 during a party held at Rick Saloman’s mansion. Aretha pleaded guilty but defended herself, saying that she mistook Leo for an ex-boyfriend who was spreading scandalous reports about her. The actor’s face needed about 12 stitches.

On the Environment and Marriage

Unlike his friends, Leo remains single and has contented himself with dating models. He had been in a relationship with Kristen Zang, Emma Miller, Giselle Bundchen, Bar Rafaeli, Blake Lively, and Erin Heatherton. Leo is currently dating Victoria’s Secret model, Toni Garrn. Asked when he’s planning to settle down, Leo gives an honest reply, saying that marriage is still far from his mind now. He has his own company called Appian Way Productions and the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation to keep him preoccupied. Ever since he became associated with Al Gore, Leo was turned into an environmental activist.

He even produced “The 11th Hour,” a documentary film. According to Wikipedia, Leo narrated the film about:

"... the grave problems facing the planet's life systems. Global warming, deforestation, mass species extinction, and depletion of the oceans' habitats are all addressed. The film's premise is that the future of humanity is in jeopardy.
The film proposes potential solutions to these problems by calling for restorative action by the reshaping and rethinking of global human activity through technology, social responsibility and conservation." [Source: Wikipedia(film)]

Another thing that keeps Leo busy is philanthropy. At the wake of the Haiti earthquake in 2010, Leo donated one million dollars to help the victims. He also donated to Barack Obama and John Kerry’s presidential campaign. Leo and his mother championed the "Leonardo DiCaprio Computer Center" in Los Angeles where they gave 35,000 dollars in 1998. Vladimir Putin praised him when he flew to Russia in 2010 to make a one million-dollar donation to the Wildlife Conservation Society. Since meeting with the environmentalists, Leo has chosen the tiger as his animal. In 2011, he participated in the Animal Legal Defense Fund's campaign to set free a tiger named Tony. GLAAD was also one of Leo’s many beneficiaries. He donated 61,000 dollars to the organization in 2013 to help them with their cause.

This goes without saying that Leo is more than just “a character actor in a leading man’s body,” as what critics would always call him. He is an angel—not in disguise.

Organizations and Programmes Supported

• Cinema For Peace
• Declare Yourself
• Feeding America
• Film Foundation
• Global Cool
• Global Green
• International Fund For Animal Welfare
• Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation
• Motion Picture and Television Fund Foundation
• Natural Resources Defense Council
• Onyx and Breezy Foundation
• Pediatric Epilepsy Project
• Reef Check Foundation
• SOS Children's Villages
• Stop Global Warming
• The Gorilla Organization
• TreePeople
• Unite for Japan
• WildAid

Awards and Achievements

• 1991: Made his film debut in Critters 3
• 1991: Nominated to receive the Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor Co-starring in a Television Series (Parenthood)
• 1991: Nominated to receive the Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor in a Daytime Series (Santa Barbara)
• 1992: Nominated to receive the Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor Co-starring in a Television Series (Growing Pains)
• 1993: Won the New Generation Award
• 1993: Won 2nd Place in the NYFCC Award for Best Supporting Actor (What's Eating Gilbert Grape and This Boy's Life)
• 1993: Won the NBR Award for Best Supporting Actor (What's Eating Gilbert Grape)
• 1994: Won 2nd Place in the NSFC Award for Best Supporting Actor (What's Eating Gilbert Grape)
• 1994: Nominated to receive the Oscar Awards for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (What's Eating Gilbert Grape)
• 1994: Won the CFCA Award for Most Promising Actor (What's Eating Gilbert Grape)
• 1994: Nominated to receive the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture (What's Eating Gilbert Grape)
• 1997: Won the Silver Berlin Award for Best Actor (Romeo + Juliet)
• 1997: Won the Blockbuster Entertainment Award Favorite Actor - Romance (Romeo + Juliet)
• 1997: Won the Chlotrudis Award Best Supporting Actor (Marvin's Room)
• 1997: Nominated to receive the MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss (Romeo + Juliet)
• 1997: Nominated to receive the MTV Movie Award for Best Male Performance (Romeo + Juliet)
• 1997: Nominated to receive the MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo (Romeo + Juliet)
• 1997: Nominated to receive Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Cast (Marvin's Room)
• 1998: Won the Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actor - Drama (Titanic)
• 1998: Nominated to receive the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama (Titanic)
• 1998: Nominated to receive the MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss (Titanic)
• 1998: Nominated to receive the MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo (Titanic)
• 1998: Nominated to receive the Golden Satellite Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama (Titanic)
• 1998: Nominated to receive Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Cast (Titanic)
• 1999: Nominated to receive the Teen Choice Award for Film-Choice Hissy Fit (Celebrity)
• 2000: Nominated to receive the Teen Choice Award for Film-Choice Actor (The Beach)
• 2000: Nominated to receive the Teen Choice Award for Film-Choice Chemistry (The Beach)
• 2003: Nominated to receive the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama (Catch Me if You Can)
• 2003: Nominated to receive the MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss (Gangs of New York)
• 2003: Nominated to receive the MTV Movie Award for Best Male Performance (Catch Me if You Can)
• 2003: Won the Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Liar (Catch Me if You Can)
• 2003: Nominated to receive the Choice Movie Lip lock (Gangs of New York)
• 2004: Won the Hollywood Film Award for Actor of the Year (The Aviator)
• 2004: Nominated to receive the WAFCA Award for Best Actor (The Aviator)
• 2005: Nominated to receive the Oscar Awards for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (The Aviator)
• 2005: Nominated to receive the BAFTA Film Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (The Aviator)
• 2005: Nominated to receive the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Actor (The Aviator)
• 2005: Won third place in the DFWFCA Award for Best Actor (The Aviator)
• 2005: Won the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama (The Aviator)
• 2005: Nominated to receive the ALFS Award for Actor of the Year (The Aviator)
• 2005: Won the MTV Movie Award for Best Male Performance (The Aviator)
• 2005: Nominated to receive the OFCS Award for Best Actor (The Aviator)
• 2005: Nominated to receive Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (The Aviator)
• 2005: Nominated to receive Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role (The Aviator)
• 2005: Nominated to receive the Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor: Drama (The Aviator)
• 2006: Won second place in the BSFC Award for Best Ensemble Cast
• 2006: Nominated to receive the CFCA Award for Best Actor (The Departed)
• 2006: Won the NBR Award for Best Acting by an Ensemble (The Departed)
• 2006: Won the Satellite Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (The Departed)
• 2006: Nominated to receive the Satellite Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Blood Diamond)
• 2006: Won the Satellite Award for Best Ensemble, Motion Picture (The Departed)
• 2007: Nominated to receive the Oscar Awards for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Blood Diamond)
• 2007: Nominated to receive the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Acting Ensemble (The Departed)
• 2007: Nominated to receive the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Actor (Blood Diamond)
• 2007: Nominated to receive the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Actor (The Departed)
• 2007: Won the Austin Film Critics Award for Best Actor (The Departed)
• 2007: Nominated to receive the BAFTA Film Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role (The Departed)
• 2007: Nominated to receive the Empire Award for Best Actor (The Departed)
• 2007: Nominated to receive the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama (Blood Diamond)
• 2007: Nominated to receive the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama (The Departed)
• 2007: Won the Audience Award for Best International Actor (The Departed)
• 2007: Nominated to receive the OFCS Award for Best Actor (The Departed)
• 2007: Nominated to receive the People's Choice Award for Favorite On-Screen Match-Up (The Departed)
• 2007: Nominated to receive Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (The Departed)
• 2007: Nominated to receive Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role (The Departed)
• 2007: Nominated to receive Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role (Blood Diamond)
• 2007: Nominated to receive TV Land Award for Little Screen/Big Screen Star (Men)
• 2007: Nominated to receive the Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor: Drama (Teh Departed and Blood Diamond)
• 2007: Nominated to receive the VFCC Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor or Actress in a Visual Effects Film (The Aviator)
• 2008: Nominated to receive the Satellite Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama (Revolutionary Road)
• 2009: Nominated to receive the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama (Revolutionary Road)
• 2009: Won the Big Green Help Award
• 2009: Won the Ensemble Cast Award (Revolutionary Road)
• 2010: Nominated to receive the Sierra Award for Best Actor (Inception)
• 2010: Nominated to receive the PFCS Award for Best Ensemble Acting (Inception)
• 2010: Won the Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor: Horror/Thriller (Shutter Island)
• 2010: Nominated to receive the WAFCA Award for Best Acting Ensemble (Inception)
• 2010: Nominated for the VH1 Do Something Award
• 2011: Nominated to receive the Satellite Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama (Inception)
• 2011: Nominated to receive the Saturn Awards for Best Actor (Shutter Island)
• 2011: Nominated to receive the Saturn Awards for Best Actor (Inception)
• 2011: Nominated to receive the COFCA Award for Actor of the Year (Inception and Shutter Island)
• 2011: Nominated to receive the COFCA Award for Best Actor (Inception)
• 2011: Nominated to receive the COFCA Award for Best Ensemble (Inception)
• 2011: Won second place in the COFCA Award for Actor of the Year (Blood Diamond and The Departed)
• 2011: Nominated to receive the Empire Award for Best Actor (Inception)
• 2011: Nominated to receive the Chainsaw Award for Best Actor (Shutter Island)
• 2011: Nominated to receive the IFTA Award for Best International Actor (Inception)
• 2011: Nominated to receive the MTV Award for Best Jaw Dropping Moment (Inception)
• 2011: Nominated to receive the People's Choice Award for Favorite Movie Actor
• 2011: Nominated to receive the People's Choice Award for Favorite On-Screen Team (Inception)
• 2011: Nominated to receive the SFX Award for Best Actor (Inception)
• 2011: Nominated to receive the Satellite Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture (J. Edgar)
• 2012: Nominated to receive the WAFCA Award for Best Supporting Actor (Django Unchained)
• 2012: Nominated to receive the SDFCS Award for Best Ensemble Performance (Django Unchained)
• 2012: Nominated to receive the IFTA Award for Best International Actor (J. Edgar)
• 2012: Nominated to receive the AACTA International Award for Best Actor (J. Edgar)
• 2012: Nominated to receive the CFCA Award for Best Supporting Actor (Django Unchained)
• 2012: Nominated to receive the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Actor (J. Edgar)
• 2012: Nominated to receive the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama (J. Edgar)
• 2012: Won the NBR Award for Best Supporting Actor (Django Unchained)
• 2012: Nominated to receive Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role (J. Edgar)
• 2013: Won second place in the COFCA Award for Best Supporting Actor (Django Unchained)
• 2013: Nominated to receive the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture (Django Unchained)
• 2013: Nominated to receive the MTV Award for Best On-Screen Duo (Django Unchained)
• 2013: Nominated to receive the MTV Award for Best Villain (Django Unchained)
• 2013: Won the American Riviera Award
• 2013: Nominated to receive Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor: Drama (The Great Gatsby)
• Founded Appian Way Productions

RESOURCES:
Wikipedia (Leonardo DiCaprio)
Wikipedia (Leonardo DiCaprio Filmography)
Look to the Stars (Leonardo DiCaprio)
IMDB (Leonardo DiCaprio profile)
Express.co.uk (Leonardo Di Caprio reveals Kate Winslet remains 'closest friend')
Forbes (Leonardo DiCaprio)
Ace Showbiz (Leonardo DiCaprio Biography)
The Biography Channel (Leonardo DiCaprio Biography)
Esquire (The Moment Leonardo DiCaprio Became a Man)
The Guardian (Playing Leo)
The Wall Street Journal (How Leo Got His Name)
CNN (Larry King Live: Interviews With Leonardo DiCaprio, Brooke Shields, Motley Crue)
IMDB (Awards for Leonardo DiCaprio)