Leonardo DiCaprio is an incredibly talented actor in Hollywood. Although he is a well-known film-star today, he had taken a big risk in his acting career once upon a time.

Before DiCaprio even became the big name he is today, DiCaprio co-starred in Growing Pains where he had a recurring character. The actor got his first major break in a film titled What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.

The actor’s efforts are praiseworthy as he does not work in any film just for the sake of his salary. Rather, he wants to associate himself with roles, which he finds challenging and self-satisfying. DiCaprio was just a 17-year-old when he got the chance to act in Hocus Pocus.

He would have got an excellent opportunity to work with established acting stars like Sarah Jessica Parker and Bette Midler had he accepted the offer. However, the young actor was more passionate about a character in the film titled What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.

Actor Johnny Depp, who portrays the role of DiCaprio’s brother in the movie mentioned that the latter gave a lot of effort to his role. Depp also intimated that DiCaprio did extensive research to make sure his acting appears realistic.

The actor opened up during the Golden Globes that his biggest risks had paid off as a film actor by acting in the film What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. He said there was another film when he was just 17-year-old.

However, he desperately wished to act in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. Although he was offered a handsome amount to do the other film for the first time in his life, he decided to wait for his desired role.

He was extremely proud of the fact that even at that young age; he was passionate about a particular acting project. Leonardo DiCaprio feels he took the right decision by accepting his dream role. He got a chance to act with a lot of great actors and he feels extremely proud of the film.

Meanwhile, reports have it that DiCaprio was not quite keen to act in the Hollywood blockbuster Titanic in the first place. His reluctance stemmed from the fact that he felt playing the role of Jack was not much of a challenge.

It is apparent that the actor is more interested to play complex characters in films with layers to them as is seen in his film What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. Luckily, Raw Sanchini, the producer of the movie succeeded in convincing him to accept the role.

Leonardo DiCaprio prefers to be seen in “deeply flawed” characters. He eventually figured out that playing Jack Dawson’s character was a big challenge in itself, Showbiz Cheat Sheet reports.