Happy birthday Leonardo DiCaprio: 10 surprising secrets of the star

Leonardo DiCaprio, the name alone evokes Hollywood royalty, climate activism, and a long list of unforgettable films. But beyond the blockbusters and red carpets, the Oscar-winning actor has lived a life full of strange coincidences, private passions, and surprising quirks. In celebration of his birthday today, here are 10 things you probably didn’t know about Leonardo DiCaprio:

1. He was named, when he was unborn

Legend has it that DiCaprio received his name before he entered the world. His mother was standing in front of a Leonardo da Vinci painting in the Uffizi museum in Florence, Italy, when baby Leo kicked for the first time. Inspiration struck and “Leonardo” was born.

3. He once survived a plane engine explosion

On a flight to Russia, one of the jet’s engines blew up mid-air. DiCaprio later joked it felt like a “catastrophic movie scene”, but even he wasn’t prepared to star in Titanic 2: Air Edition.

2. His childhood agent wanted him to be… “Lenny Williams”

As a struggling young actor, his agent suggested that his real name was “too ethnic” and recommended a stage name: Lenny Williams. Leo refused, and we’re all glad he did.

4. He owns an island, but not for luxury

DiCaprio bought Blackadore Caye in Belize. Instead of a private party island, he’s turning it into an eco-restoration and sustainable tourism project with renewable energy and protected wildlife zones.

5. “The Revenant” pushed him to his limit

To win his long-awaited Oscar, Leo went all in: he learned to shoot a musket, slept inside real animal carcasses, and ate raw meats, despite being a longtime vegetarian. That’s dedication… and possibly indigestion.

6. He once won an award for “Worst Actor”

Yes, even DiCaprio has had a Razzie moment. He received the Golden Raspberry Award (a tongue-in-cheek Hollywood ceremony) for Worst Screen Couple for The Beach. Years later, he earned his Oscar, proving every legend takes a few punches on the way up.

7. He’s got a fossil named after him

Scientists discovered an ancient beetle species and named it Grouvellinus leonardodicaprioi. They wanted to honor his environmental activism. Most celebrities get perfumes; DiCaprio gets prehistoric beetles.

8. His first Oscar nomination wasn’t for a blockbuster

Many fans assume Titanic was his first big nom, but it was actually for What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, a role he played at just 19 years old that stunned critics with its emotional depth.

9. He funded a project that brought back endangered tigers

Through the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, millions of dollars have gone into wildlife conservation, forest protection, and ocean cleanups, helping increase tiger populations in regions where they were nearly wiped out.

10. His co-stars say he’s a prank mastermind

Despite his serious screen persona, Leo is known on set for mischief. From water balloon ambushes to phone pranks, he’s been called “the least serious serious actor in Hollywood.”

Still changing Hollywood and the planet

From art museums to climate summits and blockbuster soundstages, Leonardo DiCaprio’s legacy stretches far beyond film. Today, as he celebrates another year around the sun, fans get to celebrate more than just an actor, they celebrate a cultural icon who uses his voice for something bigger.