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Look Back at Young Leonardo DiCaprio's Best '90s Moments

Celebrate Leonardo DiCaprio’s 50th birthday with a look back at his best moments from the '90s, including his rise in films like "Romeo and Juliet" and "Titanic."

young leonardo dicaprio in a brown jacket, black button up, and jeans
All photos via Getty Images.

Before Timothée Chalamet and Harry Styles reigned as today's beloved heartthrobs, young Leonardo DiCaprio had his own picture plastering bedroom walls around the world. Growing up in Los Angeles, DiCaprio appeared as an extra in various films and TV shows before his major break. In 1991, he received his first major role in Growing Pains as Luke, a young teen taken in by the central family. Throughout the rest of the '90s, DiCaprio garnered critical acclaim for his performances in The Basketball Diaries, Romeo and Juliet, and Titanic, among others. Since then, the Academy Award winner has made a name for himself as one of the leading actors in Hollywood.

Outside of his career, DiCaprio is known for being an avid environmentalist, spearheading projects around the world to support animal welfare, energy conservation, and climate change relief efforts. In recent years, the Once Upon A Time in Hollywood star also helped narrate the Netflix docuseries Whose Vote Counts, Explained about voting rights ahead of the 2020 election.

To celebrate the philanthropic Hollywood star on his 50th birthday, L'OFFICIEL looks back at moments from DiCaprio's younger years.

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Baby-faced and 16 years old, DiCaprio gave his best smolder for a promotional image for the TV show "Parenthood." Photography: Courtesy of Getty.
Brought on for the last season in 1991, DiCaprio plays a homeless teen in the sitcom "Growing Pains." Photography: Courtesy of Getty.
A 17-year-old DiCaprio attends the MTV Rock N' Jock Charity Basketball Game. Photography: Courtesy of Getty.
The soon-to-be movie star looks pensive during a magazine shoot. Photography: Courtesy of Getty.
Young Leonardo Dicaprio at the "Benny and Joon" premiere. Photography: Courtesy of Getty.
DiCaprio attends the "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?" premiere with co-star Johnny Depp. Photography: Courtesy of Getty.
Leonardo Dicaprio at the "Carlitos Way" L.A. premiere. Photography: Courtesy of Getty.
At just 19, the Los Angeles native displays his off-duty style. Photography: Courtesy of Getty.
The young heartthrob attends the Academy Awards. Photography: Courtesy of Getty.
Before he was known for being a ladies' man, DiCaprio dated Victoria's Secret model Bridget Hall. Photography: Courtesy of Getty.
Leonardo Dicaprio for Pool Aid 1994. Photography: Courtest of Getty.
With pal Mark Wahlberg, the two ‘90s teen idols promote their upcoming film, "The Basketball Diaries." Photography: Courtesy of Getty.
"The Basketball Diaries" tells the story of Jim, a drug-addicted teen growing up in New York City. Photography: Courtesy of Getty.
The "Marvin's Room" actor arrives to a photoshoot. Photography: Courtesy of Getty.
DiCaprio stars in Baz Luhrmann’s "Romeo and Juliet" as one half of the titular pair of star-crossed lovers. Photography: Courtesy of Getty.
DiCaprio appears on the red carpet for the "Romeo and Juliet" premiere with his co-star, Claire Danes. Photography: Courtesy of Getty.
Dicaprio at the Los Angeles premiere of "Romeo and Juliet." Photography: Courtesy of Getty.
In one of his most popular roles, the young actor plays Jack in "Titanic." Photography: Courtesy of Getty.
The rising star cuddles up to a goose for a 1998 "Vanity Fair" photoshoot by Annie Leibovitz. Photography: Courtesy of Getty.
Before Lil Nas X or Orville Peck, DiCaprio made a case for Western menswear. Photography: Courtesy of Getty.
The young actor attending "The Man in the Iron Mask" premiere. Photography: Courtesy of Getty.
Dicaprio soaks up the fun while filming "The Beach." Photography: Courtesy of Getty.

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