Leonardo DiCaprio is an American actor, producer, and environmentalist born on 11 November 1974. He’s well-known for acting in movies that tell real-life stories or are set in the past. He’s won lots of awards for his acting, including an Oscar, a BAFTA, and three Golden Globes. His movies have made over $7.2 billion globally, and he’s often one of the highest-paid actors each year.
DiCaprio grew up in Los Angeles and started acting in TV commercials in the late 1980s. In the early 1990s, he had small roles in TV shows like “Parenthood.” His big break came when he starred in the movie “This Boy’s Life” in 1993. He got a lot of praise for his role as a boy with disabilities in “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” which also earned him award nominations.
After starring in the romantic movies “Romeo + Juliet” and “Titanic,” which was a huge success, DiCaprio became one of the most famous actors in the world. He then decided to take on different types of roles to show he wasn’t just a romantic lead. He worked with famous director Martin Scorsese on movies like “Catch Me If You Can” and “Gangs of New York.”
Throughout his career, DiCaprio has been praised for his acting in movies like “The Aviator,” “Blood Diamond,” and “The Departed.” He’s also been involved in making documentaries about the environment and has starred in big hits like “Inception,” “Django Unchained,” and “The Wolf of Wall Street.”
DiCaprio is not just an actor; he’s also a producer. He started a production company called Appian Way Productions, which has made some of his movies. He’s passionate about the environment and set up the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation to raise awareness about environmental issues.
Outside of acting, DiCaprio supports various charities and was recognized for his contributions to the arts by being named a Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. He’s also been named one of the most influential people in the world by Time magazine and was voted one of the greatest actors ever in a poll by Empire magazine.
| Full Name | Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio |
| Date of Birth | November 11, 1974 |
| Place of Birth | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Occupation | Actor, Film Producer |
| Height | 6 ft (1.83 m) |
| Spouse | Not Married |
| Children | None |
| Net Worth | $300 million |
Leonardo DiCaprio’s Early Life and Education
Leonardo DiCaprio was born on November 11, 1974, in Los Angeles, California. His mom, Irmelin Indenbirken worked as a legal secretary and his dad George DiCaprio was into underground comics. They met in college and then moved to L.A. after graduating. Leonardo’s mom is German while his dad is Italian and German. His grandpa on his mom’s side was German, and his grandma was a Russian who lived in Germany. Leonardo grew up Catholic.
His parents named him after feeling him kick while looking at a Leonardo da Vinci painting. They split up when he was just one, and he lived with his mom in Echo Park, L.A. His dad moved in with his new girlfriend and her son, Adam. Leonardo DiCaprio moved around L.A. a lot but he always felt close to his parents.
He went to different schools but wasn’t a fan of public ones. Instead, he wanted to act. He dropped out of high school but got his diploma later.
As a kid, he thought about being a marine biologist or an actor. He liked acting and making people laugh. He even danced on stage at two years old and loved the attention. Seeing his stepbrother, Adam, earn money from acting made him want to try it too. He did some TV commercials and even appeared in a few shows like “The New Lassie.”
Starting his acting career wasn’t easy. He struggled to find an agent and some even told him to change his name to something more American. But he didn’t give up, thanks to his dad’s encouragement. Eventually, he got some commercials and small TV roles.
In the early ’90s, he got more TV gigs, like “Santa Barbara” and “Parenthood.” He played a teenager struggling with alcohol in “Santa Barbara” and learned from other actors to improve his skills. He got nominated for awards for his work in these shows.
He even showed up on a game show doing stunts like catching fish with his teeth. Leonardo DiCaprio worked hard to get where he is today, despite facing challenges along the way.
Career
Leonardo DiCaprio started his movie career in 1991 with a small role in a horror sequel called “Critters 3.” He wasn’t fond of the movie and thought it was one of the worst ever. Later that year, he joined the cast of the TV show “Growing Pains.” Despite being chosen to attract young female viewers the show’s ratings didn’t improve and he left before it ended. DiCaprio also appeared in an episode of “Roseanne” that year.
In 1993, DiCaprio earned critical acclaim for his role in “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” directed by Lasse Hallström. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance. That same year he starred in “This Boy’s Life” alongside Robert De Niro showcasing his talent in a tough role. His portrayal of a developmentally disabled character in “Gilbert Grape” earned him further recognition.
Moving into 1995, DiCaprio appeared in “The Quick and the Dead,” and “The Basketball Diaries” where he played a troubled high school basketball player. He also starred in “Total Eclipse” a drama focusing on a same-sex relationship. Despite commercial setbacks, DiCaprio’s performances were noted for their intensity and depth.
In 1996, DiCaprio starred in Baz Luhrmann’s “Romeo + Juliet” a modern take on Shakespeare’s classic. This role further solidified his status as a leading Hollywood actor. He also appeared in Marvin’s Room that year holding his own against veteran actresses Meryl Streep and Diane Keaton.
DiCaprio turned down a role in “Boogie Nights” to star in James Cameron’s “Titanic” in 1997. The film became a global sensation and remains one of the highest-grossing films ever. Despite not receiving an Oscar nomination for his role DiCaprio’s performance as Jack Dawson catapulted him to international fame although he felt disconnected from his newfound celebrity.
In the late 1990s, he appeared in “Celebrity” and “The Man in the Iron Mask” showcasing his versatility. He also started filming “The Beach” based on Alex Garland’s novel which earned mixed reviews.
During this time, DiCaprio also acted in a controversial film “Don’s Plum” which faced legal challenges. Despite these setbacks, he continued to pursue challenging roles and establish himself as a versatile actor in Hollywood.
Leonardo DiCaprio declined the chance to play Anakin Skywalker in “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones” because he didn’t feel ready to take on such a big role at that time. Instead, he starred in “Catch Me If You Can” a film about Frank Abagnale Jr. who became a con artist before he turned 19 in the 1960s. Directed by Steven Spielberg the movie was shot in 147 locations in just 52 days making it one of DiCaprio’s most adventurous film experiences. “Catch Me If You Can” was a hit earning $355 million worldwide and receiving praise for DiCaprio’s departure from his usual dark roles.
In the same year, DiCaprio also appeared in “Gangs of New York” directed by Martin Scorsese. This historical drama is set in 19th-century New York City and tells the story of Irish-American gangs. The film faced challenges during production including budget issues and disagreements among the producers and directors. Despite this “Gangs of New York” was a success grossing $193 million globally and earning positive reviews although some critics felt Daniel Day-Lewis overshadowed DiCaprio.
In 2004, Leonardo DiCaprio established his production company Appian Way Productions. He aimed to develop projects that preserved the integrity of their source material avoiding too many external influences. His first major production under this banner was “The Aviator” a biopic about Howard Hughes where DiCaprio played the lead role. Directed by Scorsese the film was both a critical and financial success grossing $213 million and earning DiCaprio his first Golden Globe Award for Best Actor.
Continuing his successful collaborations, DiCaprio starred in “The Departed” and “Blood Diamond.” “The Departed” directed by Scorsese saw DiCaprio playing an undercover cop in Boston’s Irish Mob alongside Jack Nicholson. The film was highly acclaimed and became a box office hit grossing $291 million worldwide. In “Blood Diamond” DiCaprio portrayed a diamond smuggler amidst the Sierra Leone Civil War. He spent months in Africa preparing for the role which earned him nominations for both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe.
In addition to acting, Leonardo DiCaprio has been active in producing films that reflect his environmental and social interests. He produced and narrated The 11th Hour a documentary about the state of the environment and has been involved in projects like Greensburg a TV series about rebuilding a town sustainably after a tornado.
DiCaprio has continued to showcase his versatility in films like “Shutter Island,” “Inception,” “Django Unchained,” “The Great Gatsby,” and “The Wolf of Wall Street.” These roles have earned him critical acclaim and numerous awards nominations, and have solidified his status as one of Hollywood’s leading actors and producers.
Leonardo DiCaprio has been deeply involved in producing and starring in impactful films over the years. In 2014, he worked on “Virunga” a documentary highlighting the efforts to protect mountain gorillas from threats like war and poaching. His role extended to other documentaries that focused on the environmental impact of animal agriculture.
In 2015, he took on the challenging role of Hugh Glass in “The Revenant” a survival drama. DiCaprio dedicated himself to the role of learning survival skills and even eating raw bison liver. The film was a commercial success and earned him numerous awards including an Academy Award for Best Actor.
DiCaprio continued to produce documentaries like “Before the Flood” addressing climate change. His acting return came in 2019 with “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” a film exploring Hollywood’s golden age. His performance alongside Brad Pitt garnered critical acclaim.
He also served as an executive producer for “The Right Stuff” a TV series on Disney+. In 2021, he starred in a comedy called “Don’t Look Up” alongside Jennifer Lawrence. The movie is about warning people about a dangerous comet but it’s also a metaphor for how we ignore big problems like climate change. People watch it a lot on Netflix.
In 2023, he starred in “Killers of the Flower Moon” showcasing his versatility in a complex role. DiCaprio remains committed to impactful storytelling as seen in his upcoming projects.
Net Worth
Leonardo DiCaprio has an estimated net worth of $300 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The main source of Leonardo DiCaprio’s net worth comes primarily from his successful acting career in movies.
He has starred in numerous blockbuster films like “Titanic,” “Inception,” and “The Revenant,” earning high salaries and bonuses. DiCaprio is known for choosing roles in critically acclaimed movies that also perform well at the box office, which increases his earnings through profit-sharing agreements and royalties.
In addition to acting, he also produces films through his production company, Appian Way Productions, which adds to his income. Moreover, he has made investments in real estate and environmental initiatives, leveraging his wealth in diverse ways beyond acting alone.
Personal life
Leonardo DiCaprio is a famous actor, and while he doesn’t say, he’s sure whether there’s a god or not, he doesn’t call himself an atheist. He tries to keep his personal life private but it often gets a lot of attention from the media. He doesn’t do many interviews and doesn’t like talking about his personal life much. There’s been a lot of talk about his relationships with younger women, and some people have criticized him for it.
He dated a Brazilian model named Gisele Bündchen from 1999 to 2005. After that, he was with an Israeli model Bar Refaeli, from 2005 to 2011. Then he dated a German model named Toni Garrn from 2013 to 2014 and again in 2017. From around 2017 to 2022, he was in a relationship with an American model and actress named Camila Morrone. Now, he’s dating an Italian model named Vittoria Ceretti since August 2023.
DiCaprio owns houses in Los Angeles and apartments in New York City. He also bought an island called Blackadore Caye near Belize in 2009. He’s planning to build an eco-friendly resort there. In 2014, he bought a house in Palm Springs, California, designed by an architect named Donald Wexler.
In 2005, DiCaprio got hurt badly when a model named Aretha Wilson hit him with a broken bottle at a party in Hollywood. He needed seventeen stitches on his face and neck. Wilson admitted to hurting him and was sent to prison for two years in 2010.
When a company DiCaprio worked with, Red Granite Pictures, got involved in a big scandal in 2017, he gave back some expensive gifts he got from them to the US government. These gifts included an Oscar trophy won by Marlon Brando, a painting by Pablo Picasso worth $3.2 million, and a collage by Jean-Michel Basquiat worth $9 million.
Other ventures
Leonardo DiCaprio is passionate about protecting the environment. He’s been into it since he was young, watching shows about things like rainforests getting cut down and animals losing their homes. In 1998, he started the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, which helps raise awareness about environmental issues. They’ve done all sorts of things like making videos about the importance of water and warning people about global warming.
He’s not just about talking, though. DiCaprio has put his money where his mouth is funding over 200 projects with a whopping $100 million. He’s also supported other groups like the World Wildlife Fund and the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
DiCaprio tries to live eco-friendly too, driving electric cars instead of gas guzzlers. But he’s gotten some flack for flying in private jets and cruising on big yachts, which aren’t exactly great for the environment.
He’s not just about throwing money around either. Leonardo DiCaprio gets involved in big events, like chairing Earth Day in 2000 and speaking at the UN Climate Summit in 2014 and 2016. He even got to meet the Pope to chat about saving the planet.
He’s not afraid to speak out either, protesting against leaders like Donald Trump for not doing enough about climate change. His foundation also hosts big events to raise money, like a concert that brought in over $30 million in one night.
And he keeps on giving, pledging millions more in 2021 to help out with conservation efforts in the Galápagos Islands. Leo’s doing his part to save the planet!
In 2016, Leonardo DiCaprio publicly supported Hillary Clinton for president. Then, in March 2020, he went to a fundraising event for Joe Biden, hosted by Sherry Lansing from Paramount Pictures. Before the 2020 election, he voiced a Netflix series about voting rights. He emphasized the importance of everyone voting and urged people not to delay. DiCaprio also used social media to encourage people to plan how they would vote and to talk about issues like voter suppression and strict ID laws. He pointed to VoteRiders for help and info.
In 2023, DiCaprio testified in court against Prakazrel Michel. Michel is accused of taking part in a scheme to influence the Obama and Trump administrations from abroad.
Philanthropy
Back in 1998, Leonardo DiCaprio and his mom pitched in $35,000 to set up a computer center at a library in Los Feliz. Then, in 2009, he teamed up with Kate Winslet, director James Cameron, and singer Celine Dion to help cover the costs for a nursing home where a Titanic survivor, Millvina Dean, was living. Leo and Kate chipped in $20,000 for that cause.
In 2010, after the Haiti earthquake, Leo donated a cool million bucks to help with the relief efforts there. The next year, he joined a campaign to free Tony, a tiger kept at a truck stop in Louisiana for ten years. He also gave $61,000 to GLAAD, a group supporting gay rights, in 2013.
Skipping ahead to 2016, Leonardo DiCaprio threw $65,000 into the pot at a fundraiser for the Children of Armenia Fund. He did this to help out his friend Tony Shafrazi, who was running the show. When Hurricane Harvey hit in 2017, Leo coughed up $1 million for relief efforts.
In 2020, when Australia was ravaged by bushfires, Leo’s foundation stepped up with a hefty $3 million donation. And when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, there were reports that Leo had dropped a massive $10 million to support Ukraine. However, some folks said those numbers weren’t quite accurate.
