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Leonardo DiCaprio Profile |
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Birth Date: November 11, 1974
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Birth Place: Hollywood, California, USA
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Birth
Name: Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio
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Height:
6'1"
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Leonardo DiCaprio
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Biography |
Leonardo DiCaprio was born in Los Angeles, California, the
son of George DiCaprio, a half Italian-half German
distributor of comic books, and Irmelin Idenbirkin, a former
legal secretary who was born in Germany. His name allegedly
came about because his pregnant mother was standing in front
of a Leonardo da Vinci painting at a museum in Italy when he
kicked, which made her decide to name him after the famous
artist. His parents divorced when he was a year old. He grew
up in Echo Park.
At age five, he appeared on his favorite television series,
Romper Room, and was almost fired for misbehaving. He
attended John Marshall High School in Los Angeles. He was
rejected by an agent early in his career for having a name
that sounded too foreign, suggesting that it should be
changed to Lenny Williams, but DiCaprio refused.
His acting career began in 1990 when he was cast in the role
of Garry Buckman on the TV version of the hit film
Parenthood, where he met his best friend Tobey Maguire while
working on an episode. In that same year, DiCaprio appeared
on the soap opera Santa Barbara in the role of Mason Capwell
(in flashbacks as a teenager). From 1991 to 1992 he had the
role of Luke Brower, a homeless boy, on Growing Pains.
However, DiCaprio is most famous (and respected) for his
roles in motion pictures. His debut role was as Josh in
Critters 3 (1991), a film that was released straight to
video.
Two years later, his break-through came with the role of
Toby in This Boy's Life (1993) co-starring with Robert De
Niro and Ellen Barkin, which led the New York Film Critics
and the National Society of Film Critics to name him
runner-up for Best Supporting Actor. In the same year he
also convincingly portrayed a mentally handicapped boy in
What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993). The role earned him an
Academy Award nomination.
The black-and-white movie Don's Plum, a low-budget drama
featuring the actor and some of his friends (including Tobey
Maguire) was filmed between 1995 and 1996. Its release was
later blocked in the United States and Canada by DiCaprio
and Maguire, who argued they never intended to make it a
theatrical feature. Nevertheless, it later premiered on
February 10, 2001 in Berlin.
In 1996, DiCaprio also played the male lead in Romeo +
Juliet, a slick and updated modern-day version of
Shakespeare's play, directed by Australian director Baz
Luhrmann.
The move from 'star' to 'superstar' came when DiCaprio
played Jack Dawson in Titanic (1997). The highest grossing
movie ever, it tied with Ben-Hur (1959) for receiving the
most Academy Awards, though DiCaprio himself was not
nominated.
Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese and Cameron Diaz at
Cannes, 2002In 2002 DiCaprio starred in two epic movies;
Catch Me If You Can (directed by Steven Spielberg), and
Gangs of New York (directed by Martin Scorsese). Both films
were very well critically received. Forging a collaboration
with Scorsese, DiCaprio most recently starred in the
award-winning Scorsese-directed film The Aviator, portraying
the eccentric Howard Hughes.
DiCaprio continues his run with Scorsese (some claim him to
be Scorsese's 'new De Niro') in the upcoming movie, The
Departed (2006).
Recently, DiCaprio has taken to political issues. He is
especially fond of environmental causes and has devoted a
great deal of his time and money to such issues. His
official website (see link below) provides more information
on the subject. |
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Other
Information |
While filming The Beach (2000) off the coast of Thailand,
Leonardo and others were swept off a camera boat by strong
winds and waves. No one was injured. [16 April 1999]
His first publicity spot was about MILK.
Sues Playgirl magazine over plans to publish pictures
--including full frontal nudity -- of himself. [March 1998]
Ranked #75 in Empire (UK) magazine's "The Top 100 Movie
Stars of All Time" list. [October 1997]
Chosen by People Magazine as one of the "50 Most Beautiful
People in the World." [1997]
Was considering starring in a movie about actor James Dean
but turned down the role because he felt he wasn't
experienced enough to do the film. [1996]
Screen tested for the part of Robin in Batman Forever
(1995).
When three years old, he was in an educational program,
called "Romper Room" (1953) and was nearly kicked off for
uncontrollable behavior.
Chosen by People Magazine as one of the "50 Most Beautiful
People in the World." [1998]
Father was a comicbook dealer.
Attended John Marshall High School in Los Angeles,
California.
Has a stepbrother, Adam Farrar.
He 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.
A Manhattan appeals court decided to go ahead with a $45
million lawsuit against DiCaprio by actor and screenwriter
Roger Wilson for allegedly encouraging his friends in a
street fight with Wilson over advances DiCaprio's friends
made toward Wilson's girlfriend, Elizabeth Berkley. [2000]
At age 10, his agent advised him to change his name to a
more American- friendly Lenny Williams. Needless to say, he
did not follow that advice.
Was initially set to star as Alan Jensen in Harvard Man
(2001), but the film's low budget could not afford to pay
his salary, so he dropped out and Adrian Grenier took the
lead.
Was set to star in American Psycho (2000) but had to drop it
due to scheduling conflicts. Christian Bale took the part
instead.
In January 1999, his lawyers filed an application to allow
DiCaprio to copyright his own name.
Attended Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies before
attending Marshall High
His mom was standing in front of a da Vinci painting in
Italy when Leo kicked her. That sign prompted her to name
him after the painter.
His father is an Italian-American and his mother is
German-American
Attended Seeds Elementary School at UCLA where he took
summer courses in performance art
Ranked #42 in Premiere's 2003 annual Power 100 List. Had
ranked #74 in 2002 and #60 in 2001.
Ranked #6 in Star TV's "Top 10 Box Office Stars of the
1990s" (2003).
Childhood friends with Tobey Maguire and the late
Christopher Pettiet.
When his camera went missing, he offered a substantial
reward of many thousands of pounds for its return. [November
2003]
Was once attached to star in American Psycho (2000) and was
reputedly offered over $20 million for the role.
Openly supported John Kerry in the 2004 election. He went
around 11 states and gave 20 speeches about the environment
and how the Bush Administration has damaged it.
Was offered the role of the porn star Dirk Diggler in Boogie
Nights (1997) at around the same time as he was offered his
role in Titanic (1997). The role eventually went to Mark
Wahlberg.
Mentioned in an interview with Katie Couric that while
filming The Aviator, it brought back his own Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder that he had as a child. (December 23,
2004)
His current girlfriend is model Gisele Bundchen. Although
there have been rumours that the couple split several times
over the last years they are still together.
He is an environmental conservationist and often advocates
and supports natural causes.
Considered for the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man in
Spider-Man (2002).
Filed police charges after being attacked with a bottle by
an animal rights activist while leaving a nightclub in June
2005. Although the wound was very close to his jugular vein,
it was not expected to delay production on his latest movie.
Of 3/4 German and 1/4 Italian descent. His paternal
grandfather was an Italian immigrant. |
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