by Rita Chandler

Created on: August 11, 2010   Last Updated: August 12, 2010

Lenny Williams started his acting career in television commercials and educational program. Then in. . .what? Lenny Williams? I am supposed to be writing a biography on Leonardo DiCaprio and here I am talking about Lenny Williams? Actually, I am talking about the same person. Leo's parents actively sought an acting career for him but his first agent thought he needed a more "American" name, thus Lenny Williams. But the name change never set well with Leo so by the time he was a supporting member of the sitcom Growing Pains  he was Leonardo DiCaprio.

Named after renouned artist Leonardo Di Vinci, Leo was born on November 11, 1974 to underground comic book artist George DiCaprio and his German born wife, Iremelin. This thirty-six year old has developed such a diverse portfolio that no agent, director or producer can pigeon-hole his talent to any one category. Attending four years at Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies honed his abilities and character.

After Growing Pains Leonardo played in such duds as Critters 3  but in 1992 he was handpicked from 400 wannabes by Robert De Niro to play lead in This Boy's Life. The brilliant casting of Leonardo as a mentally challenged youth in What's Eating Gilbert Grape?  won him the National Board of Review Award. From there a star was born but it wasn't until a 1996 adaptation of a William Shakespeare's play titled Romeo + Juliet that made Leo a teen heart throb. Against his many protest, Leo was immediately cast in the blockbuster hit Titanic which not only sealed his heart throb status but showcased the depth of his acting ability.

After Titanic Leo was ill-cast in The Man in the Iron Mask earning him a Razzie Award (Golden Raspberry) for worse acting role of the year but he was back strong as ever in 1996's Marvin's Room  in which he portrayed a troubled youth committed to an insane asylum for setting fires. His pairing once again with Robert De Niro and with the great actress Meryl Streep, helped him to be a better actor. He won a Chlotrudis Award for this role. His 2002's strong performance in Catch Me If You Can  and 2004's role as Hugh Hefner in The Aviator showcased his acting chops, winning him a Golden Globe for Best Actor. Leo showed he was multi-talented when his South African accent was spot-on in 2006's Blood Diamond.  Even though 2010's Shutter Island  was not pitched to movie goers as a horror moive, Leonardo's chilling performance as a disturbed U.S. Marshall in (yes another) mental asylum sent goosebumps and startled squeaks from the viewer. His performance was Oscar worthy.

Leonardo Di Caprio is not just another pretty face or accomplished actor. He is also a dedicated environmentalist. He is on Al Gore's band wagon of global warming being the worse challenge to our environment. He is producing a documentary about the state of our natural resources titled The 11th Hour. Leo has purchased an island in Belize and plans to create an eco-friendly resort.  

Leo's love life has been fodder for the sensational magazines since he was labeled a heart throb in the 1990's. He seems to like models since his name has been linked to several over the years, but since 2005, Leonardo's on and off romantic partner has been swimsuit model Bar Refaeli.  

Leonardo DiCaprio has diversified and improved his acting abilities over his short career most assuredly guaranteeing him a Best Actor award in his future.

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