Leonardo DiCaprio turns 50 on Monday, making him twice the age of most of his exes. So far only one person is over 25 years old, that is his current partner, the Italian model Vittoria Ceretti. She turned 26 in June. His attraction to young women is definitely not what he wants to be known for. Especially since he usually brings relatives with him to present ceremonies and festivals, such as his mother Irmelin Indenbirken, and rarely other female companions.
First and foremost, he is a successful actor, Oscar winner and environmental activist. He was only 19 years old when he made his Hollywood debut with two films: “This Boy’s Life” and “Gilbert Grape – Somewhere in Iowa”. DiCaprio immediately received his first Oscar nomination. He also attracted attention as the title role in ”Romeo + Juliet by William Shakespear”. Director Baz Luhrmann considered classic literature and the aesthetics of MTV clips. On DiCaprio’s side: Claire Danes, known at the time from the TV series “My So-Called Life”.
A view of eternity
But it was the role of penniless love interest Jack Dawson on the sinking Titanic that made the actor a global star almost overnight in 1997 at the age of 23. Director James Cameron’s ship drama made cinema history with the film: There were eleven Oscars for “Titanic”, and with box office receipts of more than 2.2 billion US dollars, it is still one of the most commercially successful films at all. The iconic image of the young couple Rose (Kate Winslet) and Jack (DiCaprio) with their arms outstretched at the bow of the ship is truly burned into the collective memory.
Probably the most famous scene from the movie “Titanic”: Leonardo DiCaprio as Jack and Kate Winslet as Rose at the bow of the ship. 1997 20th Century Fox via Imago
Life is like winning the lottery
Since then, DiCaprio has been unintentionally in the spotlight. He prefers to keep his private life private and rarely gives interviews. He appeared unusually outspoken last January in the British newspaper “Guardian” when he announced Martin Scorsese’s film “Killers of The Flower Moon” co-starring Lily Gladstone. Would the interest of the media affect him? One of the byproducts of his acting career, says DiCaprio, is the “total loss” of his private life. But he felt called to be an actor from a very young age. Since then it felt like winning the lottery. He doesn’t want to complain at all, you just have to accept it and get used to it.
Irmelin Indenbirken, who comes from Oer-Erkenschwick in North Rhine-Westphalia, gave birth to DiCaprio as her only child in Los Angeles. In February 2016, when the actor won the top actor prize at the Bafta Awards in London for his role in “The Revenant,” he declared his love for her on Valentine’s Day: “I grew up in a tough neighborhood in East Los Angeles. This woman drove me three times a day to another school to give me another chance
The American mother, now 81, moved to the US in the 1950s and met Italian George DiCaprio there. A year later, his parents separated and DiCaprio grew up mainly with his mother. “I grew up very poor,” the Hollywood star told the Los Angeles Times in January 2014.
It wasn’t until he was 41 that he won his first Oscar
After the success of “Titanic”, there was an endless supply of roles and more Oscar opportunities for the actor. The next nomination for the highest award in Hollywood came with the Martin Scorsese film “Aviator” (2005), in which DiCaprio starred as the eccentric millionaire and aviation pioneer Howard Hughes. In 2007 he impressed as a diamond smuggler in the thriller “Blood Diamond” and in 2014 as a slick and arrogant financial juggler in “The Wolf of Wall Street”. This Scorsese film earned two Oscar nominations as lead actor and producer.
But it was not until his sixth attempt - at the age of 41 – that the almost silent role as a bearded adventurer led by the Mexican Alejandro González Iñárritu won him gold. It was the most difficult filming of his life, he said at the time about the survival and revenge thriller “The Revenant”. He played Hugh Glass, who is badly injured by a grizzly bear and left half-dead by other trappers in the snowy wilderness. Filming took place in heavy blizzards and icy rivers, and DiCaprio had to eat raw buffalo liver in front of the camera.
DiCaprio had standing surgery on the Oscar stage. With the trophy in hand, the actor warned about climate change: “It’s our biggest threat. Let’s not forget this planet.”
A Harris supporter, because of the climate
DiCaprio plays the role of the environmental activist as passionately as the one in front of the movie camera. Back in 1998, he founded the “Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation,” which worked with other associations mainly in the fields of global warming, renewable energy, clean drinking water and the protection of ecosystems. His foundation advanced millions of dollars. As a producer, DiCaprio has released documentaries such as “The 11th Hour,” about global warming, “Virunga,” and “Before the Flood.” In 2014 he was appointed UN Messenger of Peace. With his newest organization “Re:wild” he supports indigenous people around the world.
On climate policy, he also supported Democrat Kamala Harris in a video message about the US presidential election at the end of October. His Instagram account, where he has more than 61 million followers, is mainly about nature conservation projects.
Meanwhile, he continues his job in Hollywood. DiCaprio has many projects confirmed, including two more with star director Scorsese. Together they are trying to film the story of a historical survival drama off the coast of South America. The duo is also working on the film “Roosevelt” about the life of the former US president. So Dicaprio will still appear on screen in his fifties. (APA/ed.)
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Interview between Time.news Editor and Leonardo DiCaprio Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we’re diving into the life and legacy of Leonardo DiCaprio, who just turned 50. We have with us Dr. Emily Cunningham, a film historian and DiCaprio expert. Emily, thanks for joining us.
Dr. Cunningham: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss one of Hollywood’s most iconic figures.
Editor: Leonardo’s birthday is a great opportunity to reflect on his career. He debuted at just 19 and quickly became a household name. How do you think his early roles, such as in “This Boy’s Life” and “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” shaped his career trajectory?
Dr. Cunningham: Those early roles showcased his remarkable talent and emotional depth. You can see the seeds of his eventual stardom in how he portrayed complex characters at such a young age. His ability to connect with audiences through these roles built the foundation for his success.
Editor: And then came “Titanic.” It feels like overnight he became a global superstar. Why do you think this film had such a profound impact on his career?
Dr. Cunningham: “Titanic” was a cultural phenomenon. DiCaprio’s portrayal of Jack Dawson resonated with viewers, and the film’s epic storytelling combined with groundbreaking special effects created an unforgettable cinematic experience. It wasn’t just a box office success; it ingrained him into the public consciousness and defined a generation’s view of romance in cinema.
Editor: Interestingly, he has been in the spotlight for his relationships with younger women, something that has generated quite a conversation. What do you think is the significance of this in the context of his fame?
Dr. Cunningham: It’s a double-edged sword. While it often overshadows his professional accomplishments, it also reflects societal expectations and norms surrounding age and relationships in Hollywood. Many celebrities face scrutiny about their personal lives, but for DiCaprio, it seems to almost eclipse his work. Yet, this focus may inadvertently highlight his desire for privacy, as he tends to keep his romantic life separate from his public persona.
Editor: That’s a good point. Despite his fame, DiCaprio has a reputation for being private. He even remarked on losing his private life to the spotlight. How do you think this tension between fame and privacy has influenced his work?
Dr. Cunningham: It has deeply impacted his choices. His selective engagement with media and interviews signifies a conscious effort to maintain boundaries. This tension perhaps fuels his drive for authenticity in his roles, pushing him to choose projects that resonate with personal passion or social issues, such as environmental activism, in which he is highly involved.
Editor: Speaking of activism, DiCaprio has made significant strides in this area. How does his environmental advocacy affect his legacy beyond his acting career?
Dr. Cunningham: His commitment to environmentalism amplifies his legacy. He isn’t merely a talented actor; he’s also positioned himself as a responsible global citizen. His foundation’s efforts to raise awareness about climate change and biodiversity contribute positively to his narrative as a celebrity using his platform for good, solidifying a legacy that extends beyond Hollywood.
Editor: He finally won his Oscar at 41, after multiple nominations—can you elaborate on the significance of this win for DiCaprio?
Dr. Cunningham: That win for “The Revenant” was monumental. It represented not only a personal triumph after years of hard work but also a moment of validation from the industry. It underscored the notion that perseverance and resilience are crucial in a competitive field. His speech highlighted this journey and his love for his mother, which adds a layer of personal vulnerability to his public persona.
Editor: As we wrap up, what do you believe the future holds for Leonardo DiCaprio as he enters this new decade of life?
Dr. Cunningham: I think he will continue to evolve, both as an actor and advocate. His projects are likely to reflect deeper themes and cause-driven narratives. At 50, he may embrace more diverse roles while further leveraging his influence for environmental and social advocacy, reinforcing that he is not just a star, but a force for change in society.
Editor: Thank you, Emily, for sharing these insights into Leonardo DiCaprio’s multifaceted life and career. Here’s to more cinematic and cultural contributions from him in the years to come!
Dr. Cunningham: Thank you for having me. It’s always exciting to discuss such an impactful figure.