Leonardo DiCaprio has been famous for over 30 years, but there are still some lesser-known facts about him. Today, we will share some exciting Leonardo DiCaprio facts. However, he’s a rich actor, worth $260 million, and we know him for his talent and environmental activism. Here are 20 interesting facts about him. Also, we know some of them are quite incredible and can be hardly believed, but we assure you they are quite true. With that in mind, let us discuss the facts.
A Da Vinci Inspired Painting
During his parents’ honeymoon in Florence, Leonardo DiCaprio’s mother felt him kick for the first time while they were at the Uffizi Gallery. His father saw it as a sign and decided to name him ‘Leonardo’. Now if that is not prophetic, we do not know what is. It appears it was his destiny to be named after such a great maestro.
And Hollywood Deemed it Unworthy
When Leonardo DiCaprio began his acting career, his agent advised him to change his name to ‘Lenny Williams’ to sound more American. However, Leo decided to stick with his original name, as he believed it represented his identity and refused to alter it. Way to go, Leonardo. Also, we would not have gotten to throw around such a unique name had it gone along with the name change.
An Experimental Progressive School
Leo attended an experimental school as a child, which sparked his interest in acting. Inspired by his time there, he decided to pursue his dream and left school to join a drama center. According to reports, the experience motivated him to seek auditions, as he disliked attending public school. This may have fashioned his desire to learn acting after a while.
His Very First Job Fired Him
Leo experienced failure early in his career when he was fired from his first TV job. Reports suggested that he was too disruptive during filming for the series Romper Room. This serves as a reminder that even the most successful individuals have faced setbacks on their path to success. Well, it is a good thing they did. Because now nobody knows Romper Room much, and everybody remembers the brilliant actor they fired from their show.
TV Commercials Beginning
Leo entered the world of Hollywood by starring in TV commercials during the 80s, starting with a children’s car and track set ad. His talent caught the eye of producers, leading to small roles in shows like Roseanne and The New Lassie. In 1991, he made his film debut in Critters 3 and achieved a breakthrough on Growing Pains. This is not a unique moment. Many famous actors started their careers with commercial ads.
If Brazil’s senate passes #PL2903, it will be catastrophic for the Amazon, the Indigenous peoples living there & our planet. Support Brazil’s Indigenous peoples & sign this petition asking Senate President @rodrigopacheco to reject the Marco Temporal bill. https://t.co/UrV3nuxqV7 pic.twitter.com/bQNQT37ePh
— Leonardo DiCaprio (@LeoDiCaprio) June 8, 2023
Worst Actor Winner
Leo, despite his talent and an Oscar win, surprisingly received the Golden Raspberry Award for ‘Worst Actor’ in 2001 for The Beach, a heavily criticized film. It wasn’t until 2016, after more than 20 years, that he finally won the well-deserved Oscar. And The Revenant was one beautiful movie with a lot of action sequences and stark cinematic moments.
Leo Cannot Sing at All
Although Leonardo’s acting skills are exceptional, his singing skills leave much to be desired. However, that hasn’t deterred him from stepping out of his comfort zone and singing in several movies, including his recent successful film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Leo humorously remarked, “Thank god I wasn’t hired for my voice for this movie.” Well, we wouldn’t mind him singing a song for us anytime soon.
I’m proud to be an investor in @NUVIEWspace, a company whose cutting-edge technology will set itself apart by generating high-resolution, 3D images of Earth’s surface, intending to improve our ability to monitor and protect the planet with much more accuracy. #NUVIEWPartner
— Leonardo DiCaprio (@LeoDiCaprio) June 6, 2023
Kate Winslet Flashed Him
Leo and Kate Winslet’s friendship is truly special! When they first met on the set of Titanic, Kate did something unexpected to help Leo feel at ease about their nude scene. She flashed him, ensuring that there would be no surprises or awkwardness. This gesture undoubtedly contributed to the undeniable chemistry between their characters, Jack and Rose.
A Case of Mistaken Identity
In 2005, during a night out, a model named Aretha Wilson attacked Leonardo by slashing a bottle over his head. He needed emergency care and received 17 stitches for the injury. Aretha Wilson later pleaded guilty to the offense and was sentenced to two years in jail. Surprisingly, she mistook Leo for her ex-boyfriend. Such mistakes can be quite costly for people on the other end.
He is a Staunch Environmentalist
Over the years, Leonardo has been actively donating to various causes. He donated computer equipment to Loz Felipe, his childhood home, and generously gave $1 million to the Wildfire Conversation. Additionally, he uses his social media platforms to raise awareness about climate change and the environment. The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation also helps to secure a sustainable future for our planet. Moreover, he created two short web films, “Water Planet ” and “Global Warning,” to highlight environmental issues.
Please join me in supporting Brazilian Indigenous leader @celiaxakriaba who is asking fellow Brazilian Congress members to oppose the anti-Indigenous bill PL490. The key vote is tomorrow; please consider signing her petition: https://t.co/g3TQmXiZvx pic.twitter.com/2VZVyGpLmw
— Leonardo DiCaprio (@LeoDiCaprio) May 30, 2023
He has an Adopted Daughter
In addition to his monetary donations, Leo showed his kindness by sponsoring a baby girl in South Africa. When he was filming Blood Diamond, he met the child at an orphanage and decided to support her from afar. He sends money to ensure she receives proper care and education while her caretakers provide updates to him.
Leo the Vegetarian
Leo is a staunch vegetarian. This is a public fact, and we all know this. It came to light on the sets of The Revenant. There is a scene where he has to eat raw bison liver. One can only guess how Leo ever achieved this incredible feat. He frequently asks his fans to join him in promoting plant-based food in the world. Well, he is doing his bit to save the world, it seems.
And the Raw Liver
Leo’s commitment to his role in the movie earned him an Oscar. In one scene, he opted to eat raw liver instead of a prop because he believed it looked more authentic. Despite the unpleasant taste and texture, he bit into it, describing the experience of the membrane bursting in his mouth.
He Snorted Fake Drugs for The Wolf of Wall Street
To portray his role accurately in The Wolf of Wall Street, Leo underwent training and research. He and Jonah Hill worked with a drug expert and watched videos on YouTube for inspiration. Even Jordan Belfort, the real person the movie was based on, was involved in recreating the drug scenes, with Leo imitating the effects of being high on quaaludes. It was a ridiculous training and resulted in some memorable scenes from the movie. We cannot forget them ever.
The Hatred for Mark Wahlberg
Leo and Mark initially disliked each other when they met in 1995 on the set of The Basketball Diaries. The reason behind their animosity was a mix of Mark’s past actions and competition. Mark revealed that Leo didn’t want him in the movie because of their previous negative encounter at a charity basketball game.
Leo Suffers from OCD
The actor is not perfect, and it’s refreshing to hear a Hollywood legend openly discuss his struggles with mental health. He has revealed that he deals with OCD, confessing to compulsively rearranging hotel furniture and stepping on the gum. However, he has actively worked on overcoming the disorder throughout the years.
The Pussy Posse
During the late 90’s, Leo was a member of a crew called “The Pussy Posse,” which included Tobey Maguire, David Blaine, Jay Ferguson, Josh Miller, Ethan Suplee, Kevin Connolly, Scott Bloom, and Justin Herwick. They would have wild nights out and aim to be with as many attractive women as possible. Talk about being a bad boy, eh? This may or may not have formed Leo’s current tendencies to discard girls as soon as they reach a certain age. But then again, it can all be a mere rumor.
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