Career Timeline of Leonardo DiCaprio: Major Achievements and Milestones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Leonardo DiCaprio made an impact.
Leonardo DiCaprio is a highly acclaimed American actor and film producer recognized for his roles in biographical and period films. He has received numerous awards, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and three Golden Globe Awards. His films have collectively grossed over $7.2 billion globally, making him one of the world's highest-paid actors.
1961: Publication of Revolutionary Road
In 2008, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in Revolutionary Road, which was an adaptation of the 1961 novel of the same name by Richard Yates.
1989: Role in The New Lassie
In 1989, Leonardo DiCaprio played the role of Glen in two episodes of the television show The New Lassie.
1989: Parenthood Film
In 1989, the comedy film Parenthood was released, which later became a series where DiCaprio was cast.
1990: Television Roles and Parenthood
In 1990, Leonardo DiCaprio began acting regularly on television, starting with a role in the pilot of The Outsiders and one episode of the soap opera Santa Barbara, in which he played a teenage alcoholic. Also, he was cast in Parenthood, a series based on the 1989 comedy film of the same name.
1991: Recurring Role in Parenthood
In 1991, Leonardo DiCaprio had a recurring role in the sitcom Parenthood.
1991: Film Debut and Recurring Role
In 1991, Leonardo DiCaprio made his film debut in Critters 3. Later in 1991, he became a recurring cast member on the sitcom Growing Pains.
1992: Role in This Boy's Life
In 1992, Leonardo DiCaprio had a brief role in the first installment of the Poison Ivy film series, and was handpicked by Robert De Niro from a shortlist of 400 young actors to co-star with him in This Boy's Life.
1993: First Major Film Role and Academy Award Nomination
In 1993, Leonardo DiCaprio had his first major film role as author Tobias Wolff in This Boy's Life and received critical acclaim and his first Academy Award nomination for playing a developmentally disabled boy in What's Eating Gilbert Grape.
1993: What's Eating Gilbert Grape Success
In 1993, Leonardo DiCaprio played the developmentally disabled brother of Johnny Depp's character in What's Eating Gilbert Grape, earning critical success and several award nominations.
1993: Starred in What's Eating Gilbert Grape
In 1993, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in What's Eating Gilbert Grape, which was critically and commercially successful.
1995: Directed in Total Eclipse
In 1995, Agnieszka Holland directed Leonardo DiCaprio in Total Eclipse and stated DiCaprio is "one of the most mature actors" she has worked with and is "courageous" in his choice of roles.
1995: Roles in The Quick and the Dead, The Basketball Diaries, and Total Eclipse
In 1995, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in The Quick and the Dead, The Basketball Diaries, and Total Eclipse.
1996: International Stardom with Romeo + Juliet
In 1996, Leonardo DiCaprio achieved international stardom with the star-crossed romance film Romeo + Juliet.
1996: Starred in Romeo + Juliet
In 1996, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in Romeo + Juliet, which was critically and commercially successful.
1996: Starring in Romeo + Juliet and Marvin's Room
In 1996, Leonardo DiCaprio starred opposite Claire Danes in Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet and portrayed a young man who has been committed to a mental asylum in Marvin's Room.
1996: Alex Garland's novel The Beach is published
In 1998, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in The Beach which was adapted from Alex Garland's 1996 novel.
1997: Silver Bear for Best Actor
In 1997, Leonardo DiCaprio earned a Silver Bear for Best Actor at the Berlin International Film Festival for Romeo + Juliet.
1997: Titanic's Success
In 1997, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in Titanic, which became the highest-grossing film in the world at the time, leading him to reduce his workload for a few years.
1997: Starred in Titanic
In 1997, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in Titanic, which was critically and commercially successful.
1997: International stardom with Titanic
Since Leonardo DiCaprio's international stardom with Titanic in 1997, he admitted feeling nervous about starring in big-budget studio films because of their hype and marketing campaigns.
1998: Donated to library in Los Feliz
In 1998, Leonardo DiCaprio and his mother donated $35,000 for a "Leonardo DiCaprio Computer Center" at a library in Los Feliz.
1998: Established the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation
In 1998, Leonardo DiCaprio established the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, a non-profit organization devoted to promoting environmental awareness.
1998: DiCaprio stars in Celebrity and The Man in the Iron Mask
In 1998, Leonardo DiCaprio had a role in Woody Allen's Celebrity and played dual roles in The Man in the Iron Mask, which received mixed reviews but grossed $180 million.
1998: DiCaprio cast in American Psycho, then leaves for The Beach
In 1998, Leonardo DiCaprio was cast in American Psycho, but left due to disagreements, opting to star in The Beach instead.
2000: Chaired the national Earth Day celebration
In 2000, Leonardo DiCaprio chaired the national Earth Day celebration where he interviewed Bill Clinton about plans to deal with global warming and the environment.
2000: Starred in The Beach
In 2000, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in the film The Beach. Although it wasn't successful, DiCaprio continues to work with established directors on unconventional projects.
2000: DiCaprio reflects on Titanic phenomenon
In 2000, Leonardo DiCaprio stated he had no connection with his "Titanic" fame, not expecting to reach that level of popularity again, nor intending to try.
2000: Release of American Psycho
Leonardo DiCaprio was initially cast in American Psycho (2000), but later dropped out of the film.
2001: Don's Plum premieres at Berlin International Film Festival
In 2001, the film Don's Plum, in which Leonardo DiCaprio acted, premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival but remains obscure due to legal challenges initiated by DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire.
2002: Roles in Catch Me If You Can and Gangs of New York
In 2002, Leonardo DiCaprio sought roles in other genres, including the crime dramas Catch Me If You Can and Gangs of New York; the latter marked the first of his many successful collaborations with director Martin Scorsese.
2002: DiCaprio stars in Gangs of New York
In 2002, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in Martin Scorsese's Gangs of New York, marking a shift to more mature roles. The film received positive reviews.
2002: DiCaprio stars in Catch Me If You Can
In 2002, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in Steven Spielberg's Catch Me If You Can, receiving critical acclaim and his third Golden Globe nomination.
2003: Publication of Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
In 2010, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in Shutter Island, which was based on the 2003 novel of the same name by Dennis Lehane.
2004: Acclaim for The Aviator
In 2004, Leonardo DiCaprio continued to gain acclaim for his performance in the biopic The Aviator.
2004: DiCaprio founds Appian Way Productions and stars in The Aviator
In 2004, Leonardo DiCaprio founded Appian Way Productions and starred in The Aviator, earning his first Golden Globe Award and nominations for other major awards.
2006: Starred in The Departed and Blood Diamond
In 2006, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in The Departed and Blood Diamond, both of which were critically and commercially successful.
2006: Starring in Blood Diamond and The Departed
In 2006, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in the political thriller Blood Diamond and the crime drama The Departed.
2007: Presented at Live Earth
In 2007, Leonardo DiCaprio presented at the American leg of Live Earth.
2007: DiCaprio produces Gardener of Eden and The 11th Hour
In 2007, Leonardo DiCaprio produced the comedy drama Gardener of Eden, and he produced, co-wrote, and narrated the documentary The 11th Hour.
2007: DiCaprio and Scorsese become interested in Shutter Island
In 2010, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in Shutter Island, and in 2007, DiCaprio and Scorsese became interested in the project.
2008: Appian Way to produce Farragut North
In 2008, Beau Willimon wrote the play Farragut North which would later be adapted into the 2011 film The Ides of March, produced by DiCaprio's Appian Way.
2008: DiCaprio produces Greensburg and stars in Body of Lies
In 2008, Leonardo DiCaprio produced Greensburg and starred in Body of Lies, a spy film set in the Middle East. He dyed his hair and wore brown contacts for the role.
2008: DiCaprio stars in Revolutionary Road with Winslet
In 2008, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in Revolutionary Road with Kate Winslet, earning his seventh Golden Globes nomination. Peter Travers liked Dicaprio's pairing with Winslet.
2008: Starring in Revolutionary Road
In 2008, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in the romantic drama Revolutionary Road.
2008: Included on Forbes' list of highest-paid actors
In 2008, Leonardo DiCaprio was included on Forbes' annual list of the world's highest-paid actors, earning $45 million.
2008: Production Company and Documentary Series
In 2008, Leonardo DiCaprio's production company, Appian Way Productions, produced the documentary series Greensburg (2008-2010).
May 2009: Raised money for Millvina Dean
In May 2009, Leonardo DiCaprio joined Kate Winslet, James Cameron and Celine Dion, in a campaign to raise money to financially support the fees of the nursing home where Millvina Dean, a survivor of the RMS Titanic, was residing, donating $20,000 with Winslet.
2009: DiCaprio produces Orphan
In 2009, Leonardo DiCaprio produced the psychological horror thriller film Orphan, starring Vera Farmiga, Peter Sarsgaard and Isabelle Fuhrman.
2010: Planet Green's Greensburg ends
In 2007, Leonardo DiCaprio produced Planet Green's Greensburg, which ran for three seasons, ending in 2010.
2010: Donated to Haiti earthquake relief
In 2010, Leonardo DiCaprio donated $1 million to relief efforts in Haiti after the earthquake.
2010: DiCaprio stars in Inception
In 2010, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in Christopher Nolan's Inception, earning $50 million from the film, which became his highest payday yet.
2010: Starred in Shutter Island and Inception
In 2010, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in Shutter Island and Inception, both of which were critically and commercially successful.
2010: Included on Forbes' list of highest-paid actors
In 2010, Leonardo DiCaprio was included on Forbes' annual list of the world's highest-paid actors, earning $28 million.
2010: Production Company and Documentary Series
In 2010, Leonardo DiCaprio's production company, Appian Way Productions, produced the documentary series Greensburg (2008-2010).
2011: Joined Animal Legal Defense Fund's campaign
In 2011, Leonardo DiCaprio joined the Animal Legal Defense Fund's campaign to release Tony, a tiger that had spent the last decade at a truck stop in Grosse Tête, Louisiana.
2011: Starred in J. Edgar and produced Red Riding Hood and The Ides of March
In 2011, Leonardo DiCaprio starred as J. Edgar Hoover in the biopic J. Edgar directed by Clint Eastwood, which focused on Hoover's career as an FBI director. Also in 2011, DiCaprio produced Catherine Hardwicke's romantic horror film Red Riding Hood, and his Appian Way produced George Clooney's political drama The Ides of March.
2011: Topped Forbes' list of highest-paid actors
In 2011, Leonardo DiCaprio topped Forbes' annual list of the world's highest-paid actors, earning $77 million.
2012: Starred in Django Unchained
In 2012, Leonardo DiCaprio starred as Calvin Candie in Quentin Tarantino's Spaghetti Western, Django Unchained. The film was critically acclaimed, earning DiCaprio a Golden Globe Award nomination.
January 2013: Announced a break from acting
In January 2013, Leonardo DiCaprio announced he would take a long break from acting to focus on environmental advocacy. Also in 2013, he starred in The Great Gatsby as Jay Gatsby and produced the films Runner Runner, Out of the Furnace, and The Wolf of Wall Street.
2013: National Board of Review Spotlight Award
In 2013, Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese earned the National Board of Review Spotlight Award for their collaborations, solidifying their career-defining moments.
2013: Donated to GLAAD
In 2013, Leonardo DiCaprio donated $61,000 to the gay rights group GLAAD.
2013: Organized "11th Hour" benefit auction
In 2013, Leonardo DiCaprio organized a benefit fine art auction, "11th Hour", which raised nearly $38.8 million for his foundation.
2013: Starred in The Great Gatsby and The Wolf of Wall Street
In 2013, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in The Great Gatsby and The Wolf of Wall Street, both of which were critically and commercially successful.
2013: Starring in The Wolf of Wall Street
In 2013, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in the biopic The Wolf of Wall Street.
April 2014: Virunga premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival
In April 2014, the documentary film Virunga, for which Leonardo DiCaprio was an executive producer, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.
September 2014: Designated as a United Nations Messenger of Peace
In September 2014, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon designated Leonardo DiCaprio as a United Nations Messenger of Peace with a focus on climate change, and he subsequently spoke at the UN Climate Summit.
2015: Announced intention to divest from fossil fuels
In 2015, Leonardo DiCaprio announced his intention to divest from fossil fuels.
2015: Starred in The Revenant
In 2015, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in The Revenant as fur trapper Hugh Glass. The role was physically demanding, and he won numerous awards for his performance, including the Academy Award for Best Actor.
2015: Nominated for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special
In 2015, Leonardo DiCaprio was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special for his work as an executive producer on Virunga.
2015: Academy Award for The Revenant
In 2015, Leonardo DiCaprio won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the survival drama The Revenant.
2015: Ebiri praises DiCaprio's Titanic performance
In a 2015 Rolling Stone article, Ebiri called Leonardo DiCaprio's role in Titanic his best, highlighting the genuine emotion between DiCaprio and Winslet.
April 2016: Spoke at the UN prior to the signing of the Paris Climate Change Agreement
In April 2016, Leonardo DiCaprio spoke at the UN prior to the signing of the Paris Climate Change Agreement.
July 2016: Foundation donated $15.6 million
In July 2016, Leonardo DiCaprio's foundation donated $15.6 million to help protect wildlife and the rights of Native Americans, along with mitigating climate change.
2016: Donated to Children of Armenia Fund
In 2016, Leonardo DiCaprio donated $65,000 to the annual fundraising gala for the Children of Armenia Fund.
2016: Executive Producer for Documentaries and Live by Night
In 2016, Leonardo DiCaprio was an executive producer for the documentaries The Ivory Game and Catching the Sun. He also produced, hosted and narrated the documentary Before the Flood about climate change. Additionally, he produced the crime drama Live by Night.
April 2017: Protested Trump's inaction on climate change
In April 2017, Leonardo DiCaprio protested against President Donald Trump's inaction on climate change by attending the People's Climate March.
2017: Vox contributor praises DiCaprio's performance in Titanic
In 2017, Vox contributor Alissa Wilkinson noted Leonardo DiCaprio's "boyish charm" and found his performance in Titanic "natural and unaffected".
2017: Provided relief for Hurricane Harvey
In 2017, supporting Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, Leonardo DiCaprio provided $1 million through his foundation.
December 2018: DiCaprio foundation donated $100 million to fight climate change
In December 2018, The Leonardo DiCaprio foundation donated $100 million to fight climate change.
2018: Foundation funded over 200 projects
By 2018, the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation had funded more than 200 projects, providing $100 million in support.
2018: Entertainment Weekly critics praise DiCaprio's Catch Me If You Can performance
In 2018, Entertainment Weekly critics called Leonardo DiCaprio's role in Catch Me If You Can his best, praising his persuasive and deceptive portrayal.
2018: Produced Delirium and Robin Hood
In 2018, Leonardo DiCaprio's production ventures included the psychological horror film Delirium and the action-adventure film Robin Hood.
2019: Listed as one of the 100 most powerful people in entertainment
From 2016 to 2019, The Hollywood Reporter listed Leonardo DiCaprio as one of the 100 most powerful people in entertainment.
2019: Starred in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
In 2019, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which was critically and commercially successful.
2019: Box Office Success and Recognition
In 2019, Leonardo DiCaprio's films had grossed over $7.2 billion worldwide. Also, he was placed in the annual rankings of the world's highest-paid actors for the eighth time.
2020: Executive Producer for The Right Stuff and Cameo in The Last Dance
In 2020, Leonardo DiCaprio served as an executive producer for The Right Stuff, a television series adaptation of the 1973 book. He also briefly appeared in the finale of the miniseries The Last Dance.
2020: Donated to Australia bushfire relief efforts
In 2020, Leonardo DiCaprio's foundation donated $3 million to Australia bushfire relief efforts.
May 2021: Pledged $43 million for conservation in the Galápagos Islands
In May 2021, Leonardo DiCaprio pledged $43 million to enact conservation operations across the Galápagos Islands.
2021: Starred in Don't Look Up
In 2021, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in Adam McKay's satirical comedy Don't Look Up. He saw the film as an analogy of the world's indifference to the climate crisis.
2022: Donated to support Ukraine
Amidst the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, media announced Leonardo DiCaprio donated $10 million to support Ukraine, though the accuracy of this amount was questioned.
2023: Starred in Killers of the Flower Moon
In 2023, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in Killers of the Flower Moon, which was critically and commercially successful.
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