Leonardo DiCaprio was born in LA to parents George DiCaprio and Irmelin Indenbirken, who divorced when he was one year old. He lived mostly with his mother, although his father did play a role in his life. Leonardo's acting career began in 1989 when he was cast in the role of Garry Buckman on the TV version of the film Parenthood, where he met his longtime friend Tobey Maguire. However his breakthrough role came with his performance as Toby in This Boy's Life in 1993, as well as an Academy Award nominating role in What's Eating Gilbert Grape when he was only 19.
Leonardo's fame achieved superstar status after he played Jack Dawson in the 1997 film Titanic; the film is the highest grossing movie ever in nominal terms, and its production thrust Leonardo into the middle of the American conscience . At the peak of his celebrity in 1998, DiCaprio was the most searched for personality in the early years of the internet.
In 2002, DiCaprio began a shift away from his stereotypical image and moved to engage himself with critically acclaimed directors by starring in two epic movies: Gangs of New York directed by Martin Scorsese and Catch Me If You Can directed by Steven Spielburg. Both films were well recieved and Leonardo went on to film The Aviator, again with Scorsese. This film scored him a second Academy Award nomination, for Best Actor. In 2006, the Golden Globes and Broadcast Film Critics Association nominated DiCaprio twice in the same category: Best Actor for Blood Diamond and The Departed, which is an extremely rare honor for actors. He earned an Oscar nomination for lead actor in Blood Diamond and a BAFTA nod for lead actor for The Departed.
DiCaprio is currently ranked the 5th Best Working Actor Today by The Screen Directory, but recently has turned to more philanthropic causes. He is a registered democrat in California, and has been very active in promoting liberal causes: he was a 2004 supporter of John Kerry's presidential campaign. He is also a committed environmentalist, recieving praise from environmental groups for opting to fly on commercial flights instead of chartering private jets, which use more fuel. He is also proud of his hybrid car and solar paneled house.
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