Recognized for his work as an actor, he has won numerous awards, including an Oscar in 2016 for his role in The Revenant, a British Academy Film Award, and three Golden Globes. He has been placed eight times in the annual ranking of the world's highest paid actors.
He achieved international stardom with the novels Romeo and Juliet (1996) and Titanic (1997), directed by James Cameron. After the latter became the highest-grossing film of the time, he reduced his workload for a few years. In an attempt to shed his romantic hero image, DiCaprio sought roles in other genres, including crime drama in Catch Me If You Can (2002) and Gangs of New York (2002); the latter marked the first of his many successful collaborations with director Martin Scorsese.
In addition to his acting work, DiCaprio launched his own production company, Appian Way. Under the Appian Way banner, he wrote, produced and narrated the acclaimed environmentally themed documentary "The 11th Hour". Appian Way's other productions include "Shutter Island" and "The Aviator", as well as "The Ides of March", "Red Riding Hood", "Orphan", "Public Enemies" and "Out of the Furnace".
But Leonardo DiCaprio is a dedicated advocate for the environment. In 1988 when Leonardo DiCaprio was very young, aged 22, he created the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation whose mission is to contribute to a long-term harmonious relationship between humans and the natural world through collaborative partnerships and by supporting innovative projects that protect wildlife and restore balance to threatened ecosystems and communities. The Foundation works in key areas such as climate change, ocean conservation and biodiversity protection.
In 2005, he was made a Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for his contributions to the arts, and in 2016 he was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world in Time magazine.
He has been an active supporter of numerous environmental organizations and has served on the boards of the World Wildlife Fund, Global Green USA, and International Fund for Animal Welfare.
Leonardo DiCaprio was appointed in 2014 United Nations Messenger of Peace for climate change and has been a leading figure spreading the message to world leaders, business, and civil society about the importance of joint climate action.
There are countless initiatives, recognitions, fundraisers, projects, aid, donations, lectures, documentaries in which Leonardo DiCaprio is involved.
The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation took another step in 2019 in the fight against climate change by founding Earth Alliance, an organization that seeks the adoption of environmental solutions on a global scale, namely by supporting renewable energy, ensuring climate justice and protecting ecosystems and wildlife.
In 2016, when the world seemed turned upside down, DiCaprio narrated and produced the documentary "Before the flood" about climate change. "Ice on fire" from 2019 is one of the documentaries produced and narrated by the actor that explores how the world is feeling the effects of climate change, while also examining the need to reduce carbon emissions.
In 2020 he produced for Netflix "Virunga", the documentary about endangered gorillas and in 2021 he took part in "Don't Look up" a comedy and political satire film written, co-produced, and directed by Adam McKay. The film is a satire of government, political, celebrity, and media indifference to the climate crisis.
"The challenge before us requires each and every one of us to take action. We owe this to ourselves, but more importantly to the future generations who are counting on us."
Leonardo DiCaprio is 47 years old.
The piece "Leonardo DiCaprio" by Sustent'Arte was inspired by a photograph by John Russo for National Geographic.
In the installation are represented various elements linked to the defense of the environment and its contribution to the fight against climate change and the protection of biodiversity:
United Nations symbol representing the Messenger of Peace status he was awarded in 2014;
Indigenous adornment representing DiCaprio's commitment to the defence of the Amazon and indigenous peoples;
"Ice on fire" one of the documentaries produced and narrated by the actor that explores how the world is feeling the effects of climate change, while examining the need to reduce carbon emissions;
"Re:wild", the environmental organisation of which he is one of the founders;
Earth Alliance, an organisation founded by DiCaprio whose aim is to "address the urgent threats to our planet's life support systems";
The gorilla represents "Virunga", the documentary about endangered gorillas that the activist produced for Netflix;
"Don't Look up" a 2021 comedy and political satire film written, co-produced, and directed by Adam McKay. The film is a satire of government, political, celebrity, and media indifference to the climate crisis.
The installation is also decorated with elements alluding to his acting career: the Oscar he won in 2016 with his participation in "The Revenant", and a representation of Titanic, one of the most iconic films of his life (1997), directed by James Cameron.