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ABC, 20th Century Fox, Paramount
Leonardo DiCaprio moved from "Growing Pains" through more adult movie roles but never lost his youthful appearance.
It's hard to look at Leonardo DiCaprio, even under the heavy makeup that takes him well into J. Edgar Hoover's 70s in "J. Edgar," and not see the little kid he was.
He's our most babyfaced actor, not just because he still looks boyish, but in past because he grew up onscreen. If you don't remember him as a regular on "Growing Pains," you may know him from "This Boy's Life" or "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?" He's the same age as Kate Winslet, his "Titanic" co-star, but you'd be forgiven for thinking she was robbing the cradle in that movie. His Jack Dawson just seemed like a spirited boy rather than a young man.
But I'd argue that his youthfulness is only an asset. Yeah, sure, everyone wants to be young in Hollywood, hence all the plastic surgery and shooting botulism into stars' eyebrows. But DiCaprio isn't playing Kim Kardashian here, he's playing a U.S. Marshal ("Shutter Island"), Howard Hughes ("The Aviator") and J. Edgar Hoover. He's playing men with gravitas, guys who you have to be a little afraid of. You'd think his babyfaced appearance might be a detriment in those roles.
But as I watched "J. Edgar" Monday night, I found the opposite to be true. Sure he gets slathered in old-guy makeup, his hands all liver-spotted up, but you can't hide his essential look. Not only does he appear physically young, but he looks likable.
Some actors just have that look and never lose it. It's especially beneficial for comedians -- think Will Ferrell, Steve Carell and Jim Carrey. But DiCaprio makes it work in dramas too. It's not that you'd blindly like his characters because the portrayer appears young, but it allows him to carry an innocence and an uncertainty into his roles. Even his tough-guy characters feel human, like they could fail at any moment.
What's DiCaprio's best role? Tell us in the comments.
Update: Funny or Die has a hilarious video spoofing "J. Edgar" and making it all about DiCaprio's failed quest for an Oscar.
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Dicaprio's got talent. He is making good movies and is a dynamic actor.
I pretty much like him in every role. When I saw the previews for J. Edgar, I wondered how this could possibly work because of my perception of Hoover. I mean, DiCaprio? Really? But he's very talented so I look forward to seeing it. Too me, he has a look of young Orson Wells.
He's incredible - at any age. And, he just gets better and better!
I've enjoyed many of his films over all the years he's been working.
But I think he has a whine-y face, and that often distracts me when he's on screen. (Will probably get blasted for this...but that's what I see.)
Leo is a good actor. But I don't see him as a tough guy. John Wayne was a tough guy. Gary Cooper was a tough guy. Burt Lancaster was a tough guy. And.......Robert De Niro is a tough guy (and funny with current roles). Leo makes great movies.
I think his best movie was when he played himself in "Who's Eating Gilbert's Grapes?" Spot Leonardo!
He's an intelligent actor. Your comment is useless.
I think he climbed the tower again Mom! Better go get him.
He does look young. He could still pass for a teenager easily. I wanted to like "The Aviator" so much but I just saw him as a 14 year old with a fake moustache.
Personally, I think he's one of Hollywood's best actors. His role in What's Eating Gilbert Grape? remains one of the finest I've seen. If you didn't know who he was as an actor, you would have thought he was truly mentally challenged. And just 18 at the time of the film! Many Oscars await . . .
Never have liked him and I don't think he is handsome either.
I think he is a great actor, but in some of his roles he is miscast because he doesn't look the part.
He has been fantastic in every role I have ever seen him in! Love them all.
He is definitely a fantastic actor, but I agree with Andrew - it's hard to get past his look in some of his roles. He looks like a very made-up teenager. Seeing that just kind of jolts you out of the movie and it is hard to continue watching.
He is indeed a great actor and I love all his movies. He is also a quiet actor with no bad news tied to him. I hope he stays that way.
titanic hands down. im STILL obessed. like WHOH. yea its bad.
I don't think he's aging well at all. But he's an amazing actor. I loved him in The Departed.