Finally! The moment has come for actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who after 22 years received the Academy award for Best Actor for his role in the drama The Revenant. This is a profile of his acting career leading up this long awaited moment.
Born in Los Angeles California, Leo established his career in the US sitcom ‘Growing Pains’ a show centred on family life. However it wasn’t until 1993 Leonardo DiCaprio made his acting debut alongside Robert Di Nero in ‘The Boys Life’ but it was in the drama ‘What’s Eating Gilbert Grape’ where he earned his first nomination as best supporting actor. Film critics Janet Maslin stated “The film’s real show stopping turn comes from Mr DiCaprio whose performance has a sharp, desperate intensity from beginning to end”.
At age 22 Leonardo was cast as the lead role in the American adaptation of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ where Leonardo’s star status really took off, and who could forgot his iconic portrayal as Jack Dawson in ‘Titanic’. DiCaprio defied his ‘heartthrob’ status by starring in gritty dramas such as ‘The Aviator’ and ‘Shutter Island.
“I have been planted here to be a vessel for acting… that’s why I’m really taking any part, regardless of how complicated it’s going to be”, he said.For 20 years his performances have been nothing short of spectacular which is why his movies have grossed over 2 billion dollars.
From endless wins and nominations, fans all over the world watched as he won best actor at this year’s academy award ceremony. Actors nominated in the same category shared their congratulations, “An award truly deserved by an amazing man” said actor Eddie Redmayne.
By Stella Akinwumi
