How hasn't he won an Oscar?
There's so much to like about Leonardo DiCaprio.
He conquered the world as a young but incredibly gifted actor and that boat film didn't do his chances with the ladies any harm. Like he needed any help!
Titanic sent his career into the stratosphere but despite being one of the world's biggest stars, he consciously turned away from the more formulaic, cliched and studio friendly films to focus on becoming an actor of genuine substance, presence and talent. Kudos.
Petty jealousy on our part has been completely replaced with pure admiration for the man and the task of narrowing down his 10 best performances was a difficult one but here are our favourites.
What's Eating Gilbert Grape
DiCaprio's portrayal as the disabled Arnie Grape is so brilliant that he somehow manages to steal the film away from Johnny Depp who also gave one of his best ever career performances in this moving drama.
Seriously, it's a near perfect film that demands to be seen.
Some actors can wait their entire careers to deliver a performance as good as this, DiCaprio did it when he was just 19 and got a well deserved Oscar nomination to boot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRsKsN2G7TY
Clip via -
Cubillos93
Catch Me If You Can
Some people will say that Gangs of New York was the pivotal turning point in his career as Leo moved away from teen heartthrob territory and into the leading man domain, but I think he came of age in Spielberg's con-man classic. He would also go on to make much better films with Scorsese anyway.
As Frank Abagnale Jr, DiCaprio perfectly plays on his boyish, daring and carefree charisma to seduce women and blag his way into various jobs as a doctor, lawyer and pilot.
He always has our admiration for pulling this off.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31lZFoSS-VQ
Clip via - MOVIECLIPS
Aviator
While The Simpsons' Mr Burns meltdown - where he forced Smithers to climb abroad the Spruce Moose - is our favourite version of anything Howard Hughes related, we did also love his Oscar nominated take as the eccentric millionaire in Scorsese's biopic.
The Departed
It takes some balls and talent to star alongside the incredibly gifted trio of Jack Nicholson, Martin Sheen and Matt Damon but this is probably DiCaprio's finest work as part of an ensemble cast.
Edgy, tough, but determined, his performance as cop Billy Costigan when he finds himself on the inside of the mob with the walls closing in is just superb.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfHZMMDGKJ0
Clip via -
Ahmet Serdar Soprano
Blood Diamond
Ed Zwick's much loved film that shines a light on war torn Africa and the diamonds that fuel the conflicts, is one of those rare beasts, a major Hollywood film that has a social conscience.
The film revels in the murky shades of grey and it's here where DiCaprio's character Danny Archer excels as one of the best anti-heroes in recent memory.
T.I.A.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62h0mZ7m8zw
Clip via - AStateham
Inception
Nolan + Di Caprio; we all knew that it was going to be brilliant but we weren't prepared for just how amazing Inception would be. There are very few actors who are as gifted at playing characters that struggle with serious personal demons and conflicts like DiCaprio does.
Maybe he can tell us if the spinning totem dropped in the end?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCTAJ00nIlI
Romeo and Juliet
Forget Titanic, this is the film that put Leo on the fast track to super-stardom. It also probably put his mug on the bedroom walls of every teenage girl in the world.
Django Unchained
The actor seems comfortable playing troubled or twisted tycoons and DiCaprio really should do more villainous roles, especially after seeing his swarmy, slick and spine chilling performance as Calvin Candy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72nK7APr6Xs
Shutter Island
We urge you to watch the film again with the knowledge of the twist that comes at the end. It completely changes your perception, impression and appreciation for what Di Caprio did in it. In a word, superb.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_0TQHoV_2I
The Wolf of Wall Street
This film was so scarily similar to my own life that I thought Leo had broken into my house and secretly installed cameras for the purposes of research for his role as the crooked, heinous yet charismatic Jordan Belfort.
Kidding.
I'd never be able to effortlessly charm Margot Robbie, sail yachts, drive fast cars, own a mansion or become a millionaire. Happy birthday Leo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcc4QuZymGc
And it would be poor form of us not to mention his finest ever performance...
Critters 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OE12JGRwRBQ
