Leonardo DiCaprio's reincarnations: 8 real people he played (11 photos)

Leonardo DiCaprio has no problem impersonating real people. Be it the French monarch, or the head of the FBI, or even a successful swindler - he can easily portray whoever is needed.





Here are 8 real-life characters played by the famous actor, and interesting facts about these roles.

Writer and literature professor Tobias Wolff - This Boy's Life (1993)



The film adaptation of Tobias "Toby" Wolfe's memoir centers on the future writer's childhood as a rebellious teenager in the 1950s.

DiCaprio grew several inches during filming. Therefore, in joint scenes with Robert De Niro, who played his hero’s stepfather, Leo had to slouch. So it seemed that he looked shorter than he actually was.

Poet and musician Jim Carroll - "The Basketball Diaries" (1995)





The film adaptation of Jim Carroll's autobiographical novel focuses on a 16-year-old boy. He plays basketball and writes poetry. However, his dreams of becoming a sports star are threatened by addiction.

In preparation for the role, Leonardo spent time in Greenwich Village and went to a poetry reading with Jim Carroll himself.

Poet Arthur Rimbaud – “Total Eclipse” (1995)



The biopic tells the story of the complex relationship between two outstanding French poets of the 19th century - young Arthur Rimbaud and his mentor Paul Verlaine.

John Malkovich was originally cast as Verlaine, but he turned it down and David Thewlis played the character. River Phoenix joined the project as Rimbaud. After his death, the role went to DiCaprio, who, by the way, is a fan of Phoenix.

King Louis XIV - "The Man in the Iron Mask" (1998)



At the center of the adventure drama is the cruel and selfish king of France and the mysterious prisoner who can put an end to his reign.

In the film, Leo played two roles - Louis XIV and his fictional twin brother Philip, whom the Sun King secretly holds in captivity. The mask that the actor wore as Philip was made of polystyrene.

Conman Frank Abagnale Jr. - Catch Me If You Can (2002)



The drama, based on real events, is about a virtuoso forger and swindler who received millions of dollars through counterfeit checks. He posed as a doctor, lawyer and airline pilot before he was 21 years old.

The real Frank Abagnale believed DiCaprio wasn't "suave" enough to play him. The master of deception's opinion changed when he saw Leonardo in the role. By the way, the actor changed 100 costumes throughout the film.

Billionaire Howard Hughes - "The Aviator" (2004)



The biographical drama spans the life of billionaire innovator, film director and aviator Howard Hughes from the late 1920s to the mid-1940s.

To better understand his hero, Leo arranged a meeting with a patient with mental disabilities. It was he who advised the actor to use his tendency to repeat sentences over and over for the role (the scene where Hughes repeatedly asks to see the drawings of Hercules).

DiCaprio also spent the day with Hughes' co-star Jane Russell to hear her recollections. She was very impressed by Leonardo's visit and described Hughes as a quiet but extremely stubborn man who always got his way.

FBI head John Edgar Hoover - “J. Edgar" (2011)



The biopic tells the story of one of the most influential people in the United States of his time. The narrative covers Hoover's professional and personal life over a period of 53 years.

Spectators and the press scolded “J. Edgar" for crappy makeup and poor lighting. The confusing and boring narrative was also criticized, which was especially depressing with such a figure at the head of the plot.



It was noted that Leo predictably gave a powerful performance. And he not only gave a convincing performance as Hoover. Portraying his older character, the actor spent 5 hours every day in the makeup chair. He was given makeup and special prosthetics.

Broker Jordan Belfort - The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)



Based on a true story, the satirical crime comedy follows Jordan Belfort from his rise to his fall. As a wealthy, successful and charismatic stockbroker, he led a lavish social life. But one day the FBI begins to take an interest in him, linking his quick enrichment with fraud and corruption.

After reading Jordan Belfort's autobiography in 2007, DiCaprio immediately wanted to film it. He was not only interested in the connection of this story with the recent collapse on Wall Street. The actor was also drawn to Jordan's honest and uncompromising description of what he actually experienced.

Belfort personally helped Leonardo prepare for the role. By the way, the actor’s fee for “The Wolf of Wall Street” was $25 million, a quarter of the film’s budget. However, not everything worked out so smoothly for Leo. During the filming of his kissing scene with Joanna Lumley, he was so nervous that it took 27 takes.