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Leonardo DiCaprio: Child star to actor icon

Leonardo DiCaprio young

When Leonardo DiCaprio first appeared on our screens in 1990, no one had any idea they were watching the birth of the world’s biggest movie stars.

Aged just 15, Leonardo was cast in the much-maligned TV spin-off of cult film Parenthood. The series was short-lived, but Leonardo’s fame was anything but.

After a series of minor roles he shot to mega-stardom in 1996 when he was cast as the lead in Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet.

Since then, Leo has starred in hit after hit, including Titanic, Catch Me If You Can, Gangs of New York, The Aviator, Blood Diamond, Inception and The Great Gatsby.

These pictures chart Leonardo’s journey from child star to film icon.

Leonardo in 1990 and today.

Leo (left) with his stepbrother in the 1970s.

Leo in 1989 before his big break.

Leonardo on the cusp of making it big in 1990.

Leonardo got his big break in Parenthood in 1990.

Leonardo as a young star in 1990.

At the premiere of This Boys Life in 1993.

At the premiere of What’s Eating Gilbert Grape in 1993.

Out in New York City in 1993.

At the Golden Globes in 1994.

With Claire Danes at the premiere of Romeo and Juliet in 1996.

At still from Titanic in 1997.

At the London premiere of Titanic in 1997.

With Titanic co-star Kate Winslet in 1998.

At the Golden Globes in 1998.

A still from 2000 film The Beach.

Promoting Gangs of New York in 2002.

Leo in 2002.

Leo in 2004.

At a press conference in 2006.

Leo in 2006.

Leo at a fashion show in 2006.

At the Critics’ Choice Awards in 2007.

At the Oscars in 2007.

In Beverly Hills in 2008.

With Kate Winslet at the premiere of Revolutionary Road in 2008.

At the SAG awards in 2013.

A still from The Great Gatsby.

With his The Wolf of Wall Street co-star Margot Robbie.

Leo took his mum as his date to the Golden Globes.

Leonardo with his Golden Globe for The Wolf of Wall Street.

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