The Oscar winner has spent most of his life in the spotlight.

Leonardo DiCaprio’s life in photos: See the A-list actor through the years

The Oscar winner has spent most of his life in the spotlight.

By Madeline Boardman

Madeline Boardman

Madeline Boardman is a former digital features director at **. She left EW in 2017.

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May 8, 2026 8:00 a.m. ET

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Leonardo DiCaprio in 1989; Leonardo DiCaprio attending the premiere of 'Romeo + Juliet' in Hollywood on Oct. 27, 1996; Leonardo DiCaprio attends the 98th Oscars in Los Angeles on March 15, 2026. Credit:

Darlene Hammond/Getty; Vinnie Zuffante/Getty; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Leonardo DiCaprio is among the most photographed celebrities in the world, dating back to his early career working as a child star in sitcoms. The actor raised his profile with an Oscar-nominated performance in *What's Eating Gilbert Grape* (1993) and soon became a global superstar and heartthrob with his performance as Jack Dawson in *Titanic* (1997).

As DiCaprio made the transition to adult roles, he established himself as one of Hollywood's most premier actors, proving he was more than just a handsome face in films like *The Aviator* (2004), *Blood Diamond* (2006), and *The Wolf of Wall Street* (2013). He won the Oscar for Best Actor for 2015's *The Revenant*, and has since been more selective with his work. His strategic decision to stay private compared to other stars makes his appearances that much sweeter.

Leonardo DiCaprio in 1989

Leonardo DiCaprio in 1989.

Darlene Hammond/Getty

Leonardo DiCaprio in 1989

Leonardo DiCaprio talks on the telephone, circa 1989.

Darlene Hammond/Getty

Leonardo DiCaprio in the ’80s

Leonardo DiCaprio at a T.J. Martell music event in the '80s.

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Leonardo DiCaprio on Parenthood in 1990

Leonardo DiCaprio as Garry Buckman in a promotional photo for 'Parenthood' in 1990.

Theo Westenberger/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Leonardo DiCaprio on Growing Pains on Sept. 28, 1991

Leonardo DiCaprio as Luke Brower on 'Growing Pains' on Sept. 28, 1991.

ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Leonardo DiCaprio in 1993

Leonardo DiCaprio, circa 1993.

Rose Hartman/Archive Photos/Getty

Leonardo DiCaprio at the 66th annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles on March 21, 1994

Leonardo DiCaprio at the 66th annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles on March 21, 1994.

Barry King/WireImage

Leonardo DiCaprio and Dennis Hopper at the Red Rock West party in 1994

Leonardo DiCaprio and Dennis Hopper at the Red Rock West Party in 1994.

Steve Eichner/Getty

Leonardo DiCaprio in New York City in 1995

Leonardo DiCaprio poses for a photo in 1995 in New York City.

Catherine McGann/Getty

Leonardo DiCaprio with Mark Wahlberg in 1995

Mark Wahlberg and Leonardo DiCaprio, circa 1995.

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Leonardo DiCaprio in The Basketball Diaries in 1995

Leonardo DiCaprio as Jim Carroll in 'The Basketball Diaries'.

John Clifford/New Line Cinema/Getty

Leonardo DiCaprio in Total Eclipse in 1996

Leonardo DiCaprio as Arthur Rimbaud in 'Total Eclipse'.

Fine Line Features/Courtesy Everett Collection

Leonardo DiCaprio at the premiere of Romeo + Juliet in Hollywood on Oct. 27, 1996

Leonardo Di Caprio attending the premiere of 'Romeo + Juliet' in Hollywood on Oct. 27, 1996.

Vinnie Zuffante/Getty

Leonardo DiCaprio with Claire Danes in Romeo + Juliet in 1996

Claire Danes as Juliet Capulet and Leonardo DiCaprio as Romeo Montague in 'Romeo + Juliet'.

20th Century-Fox/Getty Images

Leonardo DiCaprio with Kate Winslet in Titanic in 1997

Leonardo Dicaprio as Jack Dawson and Kate Winslet as Rose DeWitt Bukater in 'Titanic'.

Merie Weismiller Wallace/Paramount Pictures

Leonardo DiCaprio in The Man in the Iron Mask in 1998

Leonardo DiCaprio as King Louis XIV in 'The Man in the Iron Mask'.

United Artists/Getty

Leonardo DiCaprio in The Beach in 2000

Leonardo DiCaprio as Richard in 'The Beach'.

20th Century Fox/Getty

Leonardo DiCaprio at the Concert for New York City on Oct. 20, 2001

Leonardo DiCaprio at the Concert for New York City on Oct. 20, 2001.

Scott Gries/ImageDirect

Leonardo DiCaprio promoting Gangs of New York in Cannes, France, on May 21, 2002

Leonardo DiCaprio promoting 'Gangs of New York' in Cannes, France, on May 21, 2002.

Dave Hogan/Getty

Leonardo DiCaprio at the Catch Me If You Can Los Angeles premiere on Dec. 16, 2002

Leonardo DiCaprio during 'Catch Me If You Can' Los Angeles premiere at Mann Village Theatre in Westwood, Calif., on Dec. 16, 2002.

Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

Leonardo DiCaprio at the Gangs of New York premiere in Paris on Jan. 6, 2003

Leonardo DiCaprio at the 'Gangs of New York' premiere in Paris on Jan. 6, 2003.

Tony Barson/WireImage

Leonardo DiCaprio at the London premiere of Catch Me If You Can on Jan. 27, 2003

Leonardo DiCaprio (center) at the London premiere of 'Catch Me If You Can' on Jan. 27, 2003.

Every Leonardo DiCaprio movie role ranked, from 'Titanic' to 'One Battle After Another'

Leonardo DiCaprio explains why he 'didn’t land a lot' of his stunts in 'One Battle After Another'

Leonardo DiCaprio on Nov. 20, 2004

Leonardo DiCaprio on Nov. 20, 2004.

Jonathan Alcorn/WireImage

Leonardo DiCaprio at The Aviator press conference in Los Angeles on Nov. 20, 2004

Leonardo DiCaprio at 'The Aviator' press conference in Los Angeles on Nov. 20, 2004.

Vera Anderson/WireImage

Leonardo DiCaprio at the 57th annual DGA Awards in Beverly Hills on Jan. 29, 2005

Leonardo DiCaprio at the 57th annual DGA Awards in Beverly Hills, on Jan. 29, 2005.

Vince Bucci/Getty

Leonardo DiCaprio with Gisele Bündchen at the 77th Academy Awards in Hollywood on Feb. 27, 2005

Leonardo DiCaprio with Gisele Bündchen at the 77th annual Academy Awards in Hollywood, on Feb. 27, 2005.

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Leonardo DiCaprio in Los Angeles on Nov. 16, 2006

Leonardo DiCaprio speaks with the media at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, on Nov. 16, 2006.

Piyal Hosain/Fotos International/Getty

Leonardo DiCaprio with Jennifer Connelly at the Blood Diamond Los Angeles premiere on Dec. 6, 2006

Leonardo DiCaprio with Jennifer Connelly at the 'Blood Diamond' Los Angeles premiere on Dec. 6, 2006.

L. Cohen/WireImage

Leonardo DiCaprio at the premiere of The 11th Hour in Hollywood on Aug. 8, 2007

Leonardo DiCaprio arrives at the premiere of 'The 11th Hour' at the Arclight Cinemas on Aug. 8, 2007.

Jeff Vespa/WireImage

Leonardo DiCaprio at the Paris premiere of Body of Lies on Nov. 3, 2008

Leonardo DiCaprio at the Paris premiere of 'Body of Lies' on Nov. 3, 2008.

Toni Anne Barson/WireImage

Leonardo DiCaprio with Kate Winslet at the Los Angeles premiere of Revolutionary Road on Dec. 15, 2008

Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio arrive at the Los Angeles premiere of 'Revolutionary Road' on Dec. 15, 2008.

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

Leonardo DiCaprio at the 20th anniversary of the Palm Springs International Film Festival awards gala on Jan. 6, 2009

Leonardo DiCaprio arrives at the 20th anniversary of the Palm Springs International Film Festival awards gala presented by Cartier held at the Palm Springs Convention Center on Jan. 6, 2009.

Alexandra Wyman/WireImage

Leonardo DiCaprio with Kate Winslet at the 66th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills on Jan. 11, 2009

Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio at the 66th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, on Jan. 11, 2009.

Kevork Djansezian/Getty

Leonardo DiCaprio at the J. Edgar opening night gala at the AFI FEST 2011 in Hollywood on Nov. 3, 2011

Leonardo DiCaprio at the 'J. Edgar' opening night gala at the AFI FEST 2011 in Hollywood, on Nov. 3, 2011.

Kevin Winter/Getty

Leonardo DiCaprio with Tobey Maguire at the photocall for The Great Gatsby at the 66th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2013

Tobey Maguire and Leonardo DiCaprio at the photocall for 'The Great Gatsby' at the 66th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2013.

Toni Anne Barson/FilmMagic

Leonardo DiCaprio with Kate Winslet in Beverly Hills on May 22, 2013

Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif., on May 22, 2013.

Alexandra Wyman/WireImage

Leonardo DiCaprio at the 71st annual Golden Globe Awards on Jan. 12, 2014

Leonardo DiCaprio at the 71st annual Golden Globe Awards on Jan. 12, 2014.

Christopher Polk/NBC/NBCUniversal via Getty

Leonardo DiCaprio at the 86th annual Academy Awards in Hollywood on March 2, 2014

Leonardo DiCaprio at the 86th annual Academy Awards in Hollywood, on March 2, 2014.

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Leonardo DiCaprio filming The Wolf of Wall Street in New York City on Sept. 25, 2012

Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort on the set of 'The Wolf of Wall Street' on Sept. 25, 2012.

James Devaney/WireImage

Leonardo DiCaprio at the Screen Actors Guild Foundation 30th Anniversary Celebration in Beverly Hills on Nov. 5, 2015

Leonardo DiCaprio at the Screen Actors Guild Foundation 30th anniversary celebration in Beverly Hills, on Nov. 5, 2015.

Mark Davis/Getty

Leonardo DiCaprio with President Barack Obama at the White House on Sept. 25, 2016

President Barack Obama and Leonardo DiCaprio at the White House on Sept. 25, 2016.

Leonardo DiCaprio with Brad Pitt at the Cannes premiere of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood on May 21, 2019

Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio at the Cannes premiere of ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ on May 21, 2019.

Visual China Group via Getty

Leonardo DiCaprio at the 92nd annual Academy Awards in Hollywood on Feb. 9, 2020

Leonardo DiCaprio attends the 92nd annual Academy Awards on Feb. 9, 2020, in Hollywood, Calif.

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Leonardo DiCaprio with Jennifer Lawrence at the world premiere of Don’t Look Up on Dec. 5, 2021

Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence attend the world premiere of Netflix's 'Don't Look Up' on Dec. 5, 2021, in New York City.

Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

Leonardo DiCaprio and Lily Gladstone at AMPAS’ 14th annual Governors Awards on Jan. 9, 2024

Lily Gladstone and Leonardo DiCaprio at AMPAS' 14th annual Governors Awards at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Los Angeles, on Jan. 9, 2024.

Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty

Leonardo DiCaprio’s meme at the 98th annual Academy Awards on March 15, 2026

Leonardo DiCaprio meme created at the 98th annual Academy Awards on March 15, 2026.

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