Leonardo DiCaprio’s Life in Photos

Leonardo DiCaprio was born on November 11, 1974, in Los Angeles. He was named after the famous painter Leonardo da Vinci, because his mom first felt him kick while looking at one of his paintings.

DiCaprio’s mom and dad divorced when he was only one. He was was primarily raised by his mother, Irmelin Indenbirken.

The actor’s future stepmother, Peggy Anne Farrar, and her son, Adam, moved in with DiCaprio’s father when he was just a baby and the pair married in 1995. DiCaprio’s stepbrother pursued acting first and was cast in a series of commercials as a child.

DiCaprio followed in Adam’s footsteps and started acting in commercials for brands like Kraft Singles and Bubble Yum in the late ’80s before transitioning to television.

The young actor snagged his first major role on TV as Garry Buckman on NBC’s Parenthood, starring alongside David Arquette (far right). The show only lasted one season.

His time on Parenthood caught the attention of ABC network execs, which led to DiCaprio being cast as the newest member on the hit sitcom, Growing Pains.

By 1992, DiCaprio was television’s bright new star. Here, he’s pictured competing in MTV’s Rock ‘n Jock basketball tournament, alongside Joey Lawrence from Blossom and Ian Ziering from 90210.

In 1993, the actor made his first appearance in a movie in This Boy’s Life, which costarred Robert De Niro and Ellen Barkin.

In 1993, he filmed What’s Eating Gilbert Grape alongside Johnny Depp. He earned his first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his work in the role. Here he’s with his mom at the premiere.

With two hit movies and an Oscar nomination in one year, the actor was poised to become the next big thing in Hollywood.

DiCaprio’s first public relationship was with Victoria’s Secret model Bridget Hall. The two were first linked in 1994.

The actor has been part of a group of famous friends for years. Even though Mark Wahlberg’s HBO show Entourage is loosely based on his own time as a young star, it’s been said that DiCaprio also served as an inspiration for the main character.

DiCaprio’s mom has long served as his date to premieres and award shows, and the 1994 Golden Globes were no exception. The actor earned his first nomination for his role in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and Indenbirken showed her support on the red carpet.

Even though 1994 was DiCaprio’s first time at the Academy Awards, he’s since returned many times throughout his career.

The actor followed his initial success in movies with the lead role in The Quick and the Dead in 1995.

Another fringe film he starred in was the 1995 movie Total Eclipse in which he played Arthur Rimbaud.

DiCaprio arrives at the premiere of The Basketball Diaries, his third film, which released in 1995.

Over the years, DiCaprio has been linked to some of fashion’s most famous models. including Naomi Campbell in the mid-’90s. The two never confirmed a romantic status, but they remain friends today.

The actor has been friends with David Blaine and Lukas Haas for decades. Here, the group is seen together early on in their friendship.

DiCaprio was cast to play Romeo in the modern day adaption of Romeo and Juliet in 1996. His costar, Claire Danes, was another buzzy up-and-coming actor in Hollywood at the time.