Leonardo DiCaprio

Born: November 11 1974
Where: Hollywood, California, USA

The actor's place in movie history is assured with his performance as Jack Dawson in Titanic - the highest grossing movie of all time.

Career highlights include his Oscar-nominated turn in What's Eating Gilbert Grape and his Golden Globe-nominated roles in Catch Me If You Can and The Aviator.

Born of a German mother and a comic book dealer Italian father, he grew up in the tough, drug-ravaged Los Angeles neighbourhood of Echo Park.

As a small child, his acting games were encouraged by his parents but, aged two, he was kicked off the set of the TV show, Romper Room, for "uncontrollable behaviour".

His film debut came in 1991 with a small part in Critters 3, which led to one of his many big breaks as a regular on the weekly sitcom, Growing Pains.

In 1993, DiCaprio played Johnny Depp's mentally retarded younger brother in Lasse Hallström's What's Eating Gilbert Grape?, which secured him his first Oscar nomination for best supporting actor.

However, it was a leading role in Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, followed by his part in the legendary box office success Titanic, that cemented his place in history.

Next up, Martin Scorsese cast him in Gangs of New York, and then he portrayed con-man Frank Abagnale Jr in Catch Me If You Can.

In 2004, the actor received critical acclaim for his portrayal of eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes in Scorsese's The Aviator.

Fiercely protective of his name - he had it copyrighted in 1999.

DiCaprio is also a passionate Democrat, and toured the states supporting John Kerry in his failed 2004 presidential bid.