3. What's Eating Gilbert Grape & This Boy's Life (Tie)
In 1993, DiCaprio broke free from his existence as a bit player on Television and took a big leap in his film career. 1993 saw 2 very diverse films and 2 equally diverse performances from young DiCaprio... both which have forced us into the unusual position of a tie situation, both deserving recognition. First was This Boy's Life, a coming of age story about a young boy named Tobias and the tumultuous relationship with his abusive stepfather (Robert De Niro). De Niro hand picked DiCaprio for the film, seeing a raw talent in the young actor. He did not falter and in his very first leading role delivers a brilliant performance, holding his own scene after scene with the great De Niro. Later that year, in a performance that even overshadowed his leading cast mates Johnny Depp and Juliette Lewis, DiCaprio is incredible as Arnie, the mentally challenged younger brother of Depp's Gilbert. The work that he put into Arnie is so convincing and so nuanced that the teen idol status of DiCaprio disappears in the role and we are left to marvel in a one of a kind performance yet again. DiCaprio was given his first Oscar nomination for What's Eating Gilbert Grape in the Best Supporting Actor category, but its no doubt that both of these performances helped Hollywood stand up and take notice.