Happy birthday, Leonardo DiCaprio!
The Oscar-winning actor turns 51 years old on Nov. 11, 2025.
In his decades in the industry — dating back to his years on the 1980s sitcom Growing Pains — he’s grown up in front of the cameras, achieving leading man status at a young age before transitioning to the ultimate heartthrob in Titanic, and now an award-winning actor.
As DiCaprio celebrates his big day, take a look at some vintage photos from his early years.
Oh Boy
Darlene Hammond/Getty Images
Looking fresh-faced as ever, 15-year-old Leonardo DiCaprio gave a half-smile as he posed for a pic in 1989.
TV Star
Warner Brothers Television/Fotos International/Courtesy of Getty Images
Before making a splash on the big screen, DiCaprio also starred on Growing Pains as a teen, playing little brother Ben on the hit TV series.
Early Days
NBCU Photo Bank/Getty
A young DiCaprio put his acting skills on display while sharing a scene with Maryedith Burrell on Parenthood.
Playing Ball
Vinnie Zuffante/Getty
Oh, those awkward phases. Leo was pictured at MTV’s Second Annual Rock N’ Jock B-Ball Jam — Celebrity Charity Basketball Game at the Pauley Pavilion in Westwood, California in 1992.
Hello, Handsome
Rose Hartman/Archive Photos/Getty Images
DiCaprio established himself early as an A-list teen dreamboat — no one pulled off that floppy ’90s do quite so well.
Hanging Out
Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage
Pictured here with What’s Eating Gilbert Grape costar Johnny Depp in 1993, DiCaprio attended an event for their film — which garnered the young actor critical acclaim and his first Oscar nod.
Close Connection
The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Rumors of his first romance were with model Bridget Hall. Though neither ever confirmed a relationship, they were spotted cozying up in 1994.
Film Friends
Charbonneau/BEI/BEI/Shutterstock
The rising star headed to the Oscars Governors Ball in 1994, posing alongside fellow actor Elijah Wood.
20 Something
Walter McBride/Corbis via Getty
Soon after turning 20, DiCaprio hit the ground running with his film career.
Momma’s Boy
Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
Known to be close to his family, DiCaprio has regularly invited his mom Irmelin to red carpet events and film afterparties — like this instance in 1996, when she accompanied her son to a Total Eclipse event.
Young Love
Ron Galella Collection via Getty
For the Romeo + Juliet premiere, DiCaprio brought model and then-girlfriend Kristen Zeng as a date.
Come Together
Steve Granitz/WireImage
In 1996, DiCaprio starred alongside fellow Hollywood heavyweight Claire Danes in Romeo + Juliet. The film launched the swoon-worthy actor into super-stardom.
Oh, Romeo!
20th Century Fox/ Everett
It’s easy to see why Juliet fell head-over-heels for DiCaprio’s Romeo.
Heart Will Go On and On
20th Century Fox/ Everett
The next year, James Cameron’s epic Titanic cemented DiCaprio as a generational star and sent him from stardom into the stratosphere.
Partner in Crime
HAL GARB/AFP/Getty Images
DiCaprio and his Titanic costar Kate Winslet — pictured here at the 1998 Golden Globes — have remained close through the years. The actor even walked his friend down the aisle at her 2012 wedding.
Serious Business
United Artists/Getty Images
Back to work! The actor sported a pensive expression while filming scenes for 1998’s The Man in the Iron Mask.
Life’s a Beach
20th Century-Fox/Getty Images
Leo was pictured taking it easy while shooting The Beach in the early 2000s.
