Childhood and Education Journey of Leonardo DiCaprio in Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Leonardo DiCaprio. From birth to education, explore key events.

Leonardo DiCaprio is a highly acclaimed American actor and film producer. He is particularly recognized for his roles in biographical and period films. Throughout his career, he has received prestigious awards, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and three Golden Globe Awards. DiCaprio's films have collectively grossed over $7.2 billion globally as of 2019. He has consistently ranked among the world's highest-paid actors.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1961: Richard Yates publishes Revolutionary Road novel

In 1961, Richard Yates published the novel Revolutionary Road, which was later adapted into a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in 2008.

Revolutionary Road

Check it on Amazon

November 11, 1974: Leonardo DiCaprio's Birth

On November 11, 1974, Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio was born. He would later become an acclaimed actor and film producer.

Others born on this day/year

1996: Alex Garland publishes The Beach novel

In 1996, Alex Garland's novel The Beach was published, which was later adapted into a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

1997: International Stardom with Titanic

Since his international stardom with Titanic in 1997, Leonardo DiCaprio admitted feeling nervous about starring in big-budget studio films because of their hype and marketing campaigns.

Loading Video...

1998: Donated to a 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: Sued Playgirl magazine

In 1998, Leonardo DiCaprio sued Playgirl magazine over plans to publish a fully nude picture of him.

2000: Chaired the national Earth Day celebration

In 2000, Leonardo DiCaprio chaired the national Earth Day celebration where he interviewed Bill Clinton and they discussed plans to deal with global warming and the environment.

2000: DiCaprio comments on Titanic fame

In 2000, Leonardo DiCaprio stated that he had no connection with his Titanic fame and did not expect to reach that level of popularity again, nor would he try to achieve it.

2003: Dennis Lehane publishes Shutter Island novel

In 2003, Dennis Lehane's novel Shutter Island was published, later adapted into a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio in 2010.

Shutter Island

Check it on Amazon

2007: Presented at Live Earth

In 2007, Leonardo DiCaprio presented at the American leg of Live Earth.

May 2009: Joined campaign to raise money for Millvina Dean

In May 2009, Leonardo DiCaprio joined Kate Winslet, director James Cameron and Canadian singer 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. DiCaprio and Winslet donated $20,000 to support Dean.

2009: Bought an island off mainland Belize

In 2009, Leonardo DiCaprio bought an island, Blackadore Caye, off mainland Belize—on which he is set to open an environmentally friendly resort.

2010: Donated to relief efforts in Haiti

In 2010, Leonardo DiCaprio donated $1 million to relief efforts in Haiti after the earthquake.

2011: Joined the 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.

January 2013: Announced Acting Break and Starred in The Great Gatsby

In January 2013, Leonardo DiCaprio announced he would take a long break from acting. That year, he starred as Jay Gatsby in Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby, an adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel. The film received mixed reviews, but DiCaprio's performance was praised and earned him the AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. He also produced three films under Appian Way that year.

The Great Gatsby: The Original 1925 Edition (A F. Scott Fitzgerald Classic Novel)

Check it on Amazon

2013: Donated to the gay rights group GLAAD

In 2013, Leonardo DiCaprio donated $61,000 to the gay rights group GLAAD.

2013: Organized a benefit fine art auction

In 2013, Leonardo DiCaprio organized a benefit fine art auction, "11th Hour", which raised nearly $38.8 million for his foundation.

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. Later that month, he made an opening statement to members of the UN Climate Summit; his speech reached an estimated one billion people worldwide.

2014: Purchased the original Dinah Shore residence

In 2014, Leonardo DiCaprio purchased the original Dinah Shore residence designed by architect Donald Wexler in Palm Springs, California.

2015: Announced his intention to divest from fossil fuels

In 2015, Leonardo DiCaprio announced his intention to divest from fossil fuels.

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.

2016: Donated to the Children of Armenia Fund

In 2016, Leonardo DiCaprio donated $65,000 to the annual fundraising gala for the Children of Armenia Fund, where he was a special guest of his friend and honorary chair, Tony Shafrazi.

2016: Endorsed Hillary Clinton for the presidential election

In 2016, Leonardo DiCaprio endorsed Hillary Clinton for the presidential election.

April 2017: Protested against President Donald 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: Supported Hurricane Harvey relief efforts

In 2017, supporting Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, Leonardo DiCaprio provided $1 million through his foundation.

2017: Turned over gifts to the US government

In 2017, when The Wolf of Wall Street producer Red Granite Pictures was involved in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal, Leonardo DiCaprio turned over the gifts he received from business associates at the production company, including from fugitive businessman Jho Low, to the US government. These included a Best Actor Oscar trophy won by Marlon Brando, a $3.2 million Pablo Picasso painting, and a $9 million Jean-Michel Basquiat collage.

March 2020: Attended a fundraiser for Joe Biden

In March 2020, Leonardo DiCaprio attended a fundraiser for Joe Biden at the home of Paramount Pictures executive Sherry Lansing.

2022: Reported Donation to Ukraine

Amidst the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the media announced Leonardo DiCaprio donated $10 million to support Ukraine, although the news agency Associated Press suggested this amount was inaccurate.

2023: Testified during the trial against Prakazrel Michel

In 2023, Leonardo DiCaprio testified during the trial against Prakazrel Michel, who is being accused of participating in a foreign influence campaign that was aimed at the Obama and Trump administrations.

October 2024: Endorsed Kamala Harris for president

In October 2024, Leonardo DiCaprio formally endorsed Democratic nominee Kamala Harris for president, citing her policies on climate change mitigation, while criticizing her Republican opponent Donald Trump.