Occupation: Actor
Date of Birth: November 11, 1974
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, Calif., USA
Sign: Sun in Scorpio, Moon in Libra
Relations: Parents: George and Irmelin DiCaprio; current companion: Gisele Bundchen (model)
Education: Center for Enriched Studies and John Marshall High School (both in Los Angeles)

Known worldwide by his young fans as “Leo”, this modern-day Romeo catapulted to megastardom after his role in Titanic (1997), the ship that launched a thousand careers. His films include What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993), The Basketball Diaries (also starring Mark Wahlberg), William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet (1996), and The Man in the Iron Mask (1998). He got his start in television, appearing on Growing Pains (1981–82).

Facts about Leonardo DiCaprio:

He delivered an early present to President Bush: an invitation to attend the Earth Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, at the end of August 2002. But to no avail, it seems like President Bush doesn't care about the environment.

(16 April 1999) 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.

His first publicity spot was about MILK.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet remain firm friends after starring together in TITANIC. They chat often on the phone and give each other advice.

(March 1998) Sues Playgirl over plans to publish pictures, including full frontal nudity, of himself.

Originally offered the role of Dirk Diggler in BOOGIE NIGHTS (1997), but turned it down to do TITANIC. His The Basketball Diaries co-star, Mark Wahlberg, got the role of Dirk Diggler.

Considered for the role as Peter Parker/Spider-Man in SPIDER-MAN (2002).

(October 1997) Ranked #75 in Empire (UK) magazine's "The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time" list.

Attended John Marshall High School in Los Angeles, CA.

Has a stepbrother, Adam Farrar.

DiCaprio 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.

On Christmas of 2002, he appeared in not one, but two big features -- Steven Spielberg's CATCH ME IF YOU CAN and Martin Scorsese's GANGS OF NEW YORK.

(2000) 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.

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.

(1997 and 1998) Chosen by "People" magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World.

(1996) 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.

Turned down the part of Robin in Batman Forever(1995) which went to Chris O'Donnell.

When Leo was 3 years old he was in an educational program, called "Romper Room" and was nearly kicked off for uncontrollable behavior.

Father was a comicbook dealer.

(2001) Engaged to model Gisele Bundchen, but the couple do not plan to get married just yet.

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.

Sharon Stone was so insistent that he appear in The Quick and the Dead (1995) that she paid his salary personally.

In January 1999, his lawyers filed an application to allow DiCaprio to 'copyright' his own name.

Leo attended Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies before attending Marshall High

Leo's mom (expecting a child) was standing in front of a Leonardo da Vinci painting in Italy when Leo kicked her. That sign prompted her to name him after the painter.

DiCaprio is well known for dating some of the world's most beautiful women, so it may come as a bit of a surprise that he's set for screen trysts with a man and a eunuch in his latest film role, ALEXANDER THE GREAT.

Personal quotes:

"People want you to be a crazy, out-of-control teen brat. They want you miserable, just like them. They don't want heroes; what they want is to see you fall."
- Leonardo DiCaprio

"He's probably the world's most beautiful-looking man, yet he doesn't think he's that gorgeous. And to me, he's just smelly, farty Leo."
- Kate Winslet on her Titanic co-star