8 Insane Things You Probably Didn't Know Leonardo DiCaprio Did To Try To Win An Oscar

By now, we've all heard the misinformation that Leonardo DiCaprio was raped by a bear in "The Revenant." I've seen the movie, and can assure you that the bear merely mauls him to death (almost). He does go through hell in the film, though, and did some crazy shit like sleep inside an animal carcass in order to FINALLY win an Oscar this year. However, this isn't the first time Leo has gone to great lengths to impress the Academy. Here are eight more insane things Leonardo DiCaprio has done to achieve Oscar gold.

"Romeo + Juliet" (1996)

Don't ever accuse DiCaprio of not researching for a role. Sources say he read the original Shakespeare tragedy twice -- all the way through -- a full week before he was to begin acting as Romeo. Wow.


"J. Edgar" (2011)

In order to really get into the mindset of the first director of the FBI, DiCaprio wore women's clothing nonstop for a month straight. When informed that J. Edgar Hoover only did that in private (allegedly) and that his preparation for the role didn't really make sense, Leo replied, "Sounds like something a communist would say." Damn, son.


"What's Eating Gilbert Grape" (1993)

He bought 100 different pets and named them all Gilbert to practice how he would say the name of Johnny Depp's titular character in the movie. So hardcore.


"The Basketball Diaries" (1995)

Remember in this movie when Leo's character Jim Carroll prostitutes himself by receiving oral sex in a restroom stall from a dude for some quick cash? Well, reportedly he practiced his "I regret this terribly" face by actually using public restrooms like us common folk for an entire day before shooting that scene. #baller


"The Beach" (2000)

Everyone knows that DiCaprio couldn't swim before being cast in "The Beach," which is why he drowned in "Titanic" (classic Hollywood with their inside jokes). But, never one to let obstacles get in the way, Leo took swimming lessons at his local YMCA and got the hang of it just days before shooting began. Talk about devotion.


"Django Unchained" (2012)

Those nasty teeth that plantation owner Calvin Candie had? Guess what: those were what DiCaprio's teeth really looked like after he refused to brush or floss and smoked a pipe daily for months leading up to shooting. He told friends it was the only way to truly feel like an evil slave owner. Nailed it.


"The Aviator" (2004)

DiCaprio earned a nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Howard Hughes, but received criticism for taking things a little too far on set by insisting on being fed by the other actors in the "Here comes the airplane" fashion that parents feed their toddlers. Luckily for Leo, criticism only fuels him more and "too far" is not in his vocabulary.


"The Departed" (2006)

Nobody knows this, and to be honest I don't feel safe disclosing it, but I saw Leonardo DiCaprio murder an innocent man in Southie so he could "get the feel" of true gang life in Boston. There were only two witnesses, me being one of them, and I haven't seen the other guy since the premiere party of "Revolutionary Road" when he and Leo went outside for a smoke. He told me to never tell a soul or he'd kill me, too, but I consider myself a journalist who is not afraid to go above and beyond the call of duty. I guess you can say, in that regard, I get my inspiration from Leo. Good luck on Sunday, pal!

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