DiCaprio, Leonardo Wilhelm (1974- )

US actor and producer. He became an international teen heartthrob after starring in the hugely successful film Titanic (1997), making him one of the most sought-after young stars of his time. He had critically acclaimed leading roles in the coming-of-age film This Boy's Life (1993), which launched his film career, the crime drama Catch Me If You Can (2002), the Howard Hughes biopic The Aviator (2004), and the crime drama The Departed (2006).

He received wide acclaim for his supporting role in What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993). Other films include The Quick and the Dead, The Basketball Diaries, and Total Eclipse (all 1995); William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet and Marvin's Room (both 1996); The Man in the Iron Mask (1998); The Beach (2000); Gangs of New York (2002); and Blood Diamond (2006). He produced the films The Assassination of Richard Nixon (2004), The Aviator (2004), and The Gardener of Eden (2005).

He was born in Los Angeles, California. After appearing on the children's programme Romper Room at the age of five, he appeared in a number of commercials and public-service shorts before his film debut in Critters 3 (1991). He was then cast in a regular role as a homeless teen in the popular TV series Growing Pains (1991-92).