Leonardo DiCaprio, News, Pictures, Bio, Video Clips

MAIN Art & ... Pop Culture Actors Leonardo DiCaprio

Born in Hollywood, California on November 11, 1974 of German and Italian descent, DiCaprio's first brush with fame came when as a child he was kicked off the set of Romper Room for unruly behavior.

By 15 the fledgling actor already had his first agent, beginning a classic Hollywood battle against changing his style of clothes, his haircut and his name - to Lenny Williams.

Ultimately, DiCaprio forged ahead in his own style, and under his own name, and eventually won a notable recurring role on TV's Growing Pains.

His breakthrough film performance in This Boy's Life in 1993 won raves, as did his role a year later playing Johnny Depp's mentally retarded younger brother in What's Eating Gilbert Grape, resulting in the 19 year-old's first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

More notable performances followed, with the actor winning international recognition in William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet in 1996 and in the mega-hit, Titanic the following year.

He dominated the screen in 2002 with starring roles in both The Gangs of New York opposite Cameron Diaz and in Stephen Speilberg's Catch Me If You Can, playing the youngest criminal to ever land on the F.B.I.'s 10-most-wanted list.

The actor's next project earned lots of Oscar buzz in 2005, along with a Golden Globe award for Best Actor, for his starring role as eccentric millionaire Howard Hughes in The Aviator directed by Martin Scorsese.

In 2006-2007, DiCaprio also led nominees for Best Actor at the Critics' Choice Awards with a nod for his appearance in yet another Scorsese film, The Departed, as well as his lead role in the thriller Blood Diamond for which he was nominated Best Actor.

For the same two performances, he also competed against himself in the Golden Globe Awards. Most recently, his role in Blood Diamond also garnered nod for Best Actor at this year's Oscar Awards.

DiCaprio's next onscreen performance is in Revolutionary Road opposite his Titanic co-star, actress Kate Winslet, in which the two charismatic stars will play a married couple in 1950's post-war America.

Off screen, the Hollywood leading man is currently romantically linked to supermodel Bar Refaeli.

LEONARDODICAPRIO - Official Website - News updates, complete descriptions with photos and video trailers of his major films, along with an illustrated chronological biography, newsletter, scheduled chat.

The Completely Unofficial Leonardo DiCaprio Home Page - Fan page with recent news, biographical info, filmography, list of awards and nominations, photo galleries, chat room.

Leonardo DiCaprio Online - Fansite with all the latest news and rumors, extensive photo galleries, vital stats, quotes and trivia, chat, messageboard, e-cards.

Leonardo DiCaprio : Eco-Site - The official site of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation supporting environmental programs with information, video clips and messages featuring the actor.