^ The Battalion
Aggielife
Mday-January 23, 1998
Star Gazing: Leonardo DiCaprio
By Leah Templeton
The Battalion
★ His Life ★
r | Teenage girls call him a heait-
throb, gracing the covers ot
JL more Teen Beat and Big Bop-
per magazines than even Jonathan
Taylor Thomas, but Leonardo Di
Caprio, 23, has just undergone a
transformation that has taken him
from typical troubled teen roles to
engaging leading man status. With
the success of Titanic, DiCapno is
the hottest actor around, earning a
Golden Globe nomination and most
likely an Academy Award nomina
tion. However, Leo is not your typi-
il actor who will play just any role — he prefers dark, complex charac-
i s, and is up to any challenge. ,
Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio earned his name before he was even hoi n
h ‘n he kicked his pregnant mother as she was looking at a Leonardo a
inqi painting. DiCaprio was born shortly after on November 11-1974 to is
man mother, Irmelin, and his Italian father, George. The couple divoiced
|Lh ! >re little Leo was even one, but have managed to raise their son togeth-
S? i Still, his parents’ unusual background is a major influence on his life.
George DiCaprio produces underground comic books oul ol his
B’ai ige, and his mother, whom Leo lived with until just last November, was
! i legal secretary, but now handles Leo’s affairs. The DiCaprios are seu-
m (Claimed hippies, and Leo recently explained to People magazine that,
Vv ratever 1 did would be something they’d already done. 1 mean, my dad
Bvould welcome it if I got a nose ring.” Although, Leonardo says that his
I lipl Tinging was not what many think of as typical hippies, “We’re not the
S ilppie family who only eats organic and the children meditate and go to
^ i s< hool of the arts. But we’re not apple pie and Republican either.”
vn interview with DiCaprio found on the Internet at dicaprio.com/bi-
i aphical_info.html gives insight into Leo’s average life before he be-
mre famous. In Los Angeles, Leonardo attended John Marshall High
rhool, but always seemed to have a lack of interest in school, and pre
ened entertaining other students. DiCaprio remembers that, “I used to,
Tr, take half of the school and do break-dancing skits with my friend ...
nil inchtime.” Yet Susanna Mejia, a classmate of Leo’s recalls him being,
kii id of a dork, like a little wimpy guy.”
* His Career In Acting *
DiCaprio started acting at age five in the television show “Romper
Room,” but was a bit of a wild child and was fired because of uncontrol
lable behavior. After countless auditions and being rejected, a ten year
old Leonardo became discouraged and wanted to quit acting. However,
his father helped change his mind when he gave him some simple ad
vice, “Someday Leonardo, it will happen for you. Remember these words.
Just relax.”
DiCaprio searched for an agent and was troubled when one thought
he should change his looks and his Italian name should be replaced with
the more American sounding Lenny Williams. After finally signing with
an agent, DiCaprio made over thirty commercials, including one for
Matchbox cars. Even though Leonardo was 14 at the time, he looked like
a little kid, which allowed him to play roles younger than he was. He also
made educational films, including “How to Deal With a Parent Wlio Takes
Drugs” and “Mickey’s Safety Club.” These after-school specials led to
guest spots on television shows such as “Lassie” and “Roseanne.”
Which brings us to how most “children of the ’80s” first came to know
Leo, watching “Growing Pains.” DiCaprio played Luke, a homeless stu
dent that Mike felt compelled to bring into the Seaver home. Though the
part won him recognition and gave him training as an actor, sitcoms were
not exactly what Leonardo was looking for. In a profile on People On
line, DiCaprio says this of the experience, “I got to know what I don’t want
to do. I had these lame lines. I couldn’t bear it actually. Everyone was so
bright and chipper.”
After a forgettable film debut in Critters III, (there was a Critters IP.)
DiCaprio was picked over 400 other actors by Robert DeNiro to star in
This Boy’s Life. Leonardo played Tobias Wolff, a troubled teen in the ’50s
who is abused by his stepfather, played by DeNiro. Only 17 at the time,
critics were impressed with the way Leo held his own against a veteran
like DeNiro. This Boy’s Life opened the door for DiCaprio, and more
movie offers poured in. His next role was that of Johnny Depp’s younger
retarded brother Arnie in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.
Leo, then 19, played the role with such tenderness and captured the
character’s wholesome and sweet spirit so well that the part won him an
Academy Award nomination. Though Leonardo lost out to Christian
Slater for the role of the young reporter in Interview With the Vampire, he
jumped right into his next project, The Quick and the Dead. The film,
which was a western, also starred Sharon Stone and Gene Hackman. The
movie was heavily hyped, but proved true to its title and ended up doing
poorly at the box office.
Next up for DiCaprio was The Basketball Diaries, where he played
the poet Jim Carroll whose life the movie is based on. The film, which
also stars Mark (Marky Mark) Wahlberg was also not a commercial
success, but DiCaprio received critical acclaim for his portrayal of
the drug-addicted basketball playing poet. He even found an un
likely friend in Wahlberg, who was originally worried about the
chemistry between he and Leonardo. “He’s West Coast, I'm East
Coast,” Wahlberg told Entertainment Weekly. “He’s more into being
an actor, I’m more about being myself—so it was weird. But the
weirder thing is, we just clicked. We would go out to a club and dance
or chase girls or whatever.”
These roles finally led to Leonardo’s first bona fide hit, William Shake
speare’s Romeo and Juliet. This updated version of the classic tale of the
star-crossed lovers proved to be a success, especially with the female au
dience. This was Leo’s first turn in a romantic movie, and even though
he wore a luau shirt through most of it, he portrayed the character’s pas
sions and complexities perfectly. Claire Danes, who played Juliet to Di-
Caprio’s Romeo was even smitten, she told People magazine, “He’s real
ly charismatic, very perceptive and very charming.”
Leaving behind the troubled teen roles, DiCaprio finally overcame his
years ol “growing pains” when he accepted, somewhat reluctantly, the
role ol Jack Dawson in Titanic. James Cameron, the film’s director, re
marks that, I had to convince him there was going to be enough of a
challenge. In case you are one of the few who have not seen Titanic at
least once, heres the gist: DiCaprio plays the romantic hero, a young
artist who is traveling in lower class. He rescues the unhappy Rose (Kate
Winslet) who feels trapped in an engagement that is expected in her up
per-class society. Then the ship strikes an iceberg, and, well, you know.
.. Titanics success has secured Leonardo’s status in Hollywood as a lead
ing man. Winslet describes him as “absolutely awesome.” She goes on
to tell People magazine that, “Leo’s a natural, the actor of the century.
Nobody can get near him at this point.”
DiCaprio has turned down many roles because he feels they are “too
commercial or too mundane.” For example, when offered the role of
Robin in Batman Forever, he refused saying it was too mainstream. This
need for more challenging and darker roles is what sets Leo apart from
the other actors ol our generation. Leonardo would rather be patient
with the parts he accepts, ‘ 1 want to take my time with each role and
that’s how you plan a long career rather than doing it all at once in a big
explosion.”
* What the Future Holds ★
So whats coming up tor Leonardo? Well, it’s not a comedy. Leo can
next be seen in The Man in the Iron Mask where he portrays King Louis
XIV and the kings twin brother Philippe. Also, look for Leo in a new
Woody Allen film, Celebrity, in which he plays a rock star. Finally, in
Bombshell, he will play 4 heodore Hall, in the true story of a teenage bio
physicist who was the youngest contributor in the development of the
atomic bomb.
Leonardo DiCapi io bas the unusual talent of being able to play the
boy/man loles so well, that he basically has his pick of movie offers. But
dont look for him tq settle into a certain stereotype any time soon. Di
Caprio enjoys the diversity of acting, and says that, “The best thing about
acting is that I get to lose mysell in another character and actually get
paid for it. It s a great outlet. As lor myself, I’m not sure who 1 am. It seems
that I change everyday.”
ilka Juice offers a health garden of blended fruits
By James Francis
The Battalion
T' 'I ollege students are accustomed to making late-
I night trips to fast-food restaurants, where they
feast on fries, hamburgers and anything else
joked in a deep fryer. But sometimes students do
•>\ take the time to think of the alternative, such as
teals or drinks which provide nourishment to their
Ddies. Soon enough, Texas and the Bryan-College
ation community will be booming with a healthier
roice of places to stop and enjoy a tasteful drink.
Zuka Juice (grand opening today) is the first of its
l stores to be established in Texas, with a second
ore to be opening the first week of March across
am University Drive. This year alone, the health-
ink chain will open 53 stores in Texas. But a store
ich as this does not come about by itself.
The man behind the juice bar is Dave Duffin, pres
ent of Zuka Juice, who opened his first store in 1995
Provo, Utah. From a press release discussing the
eation, operation and background of Zuka Juice,
e word “Zuka” is defined as “ 1. A state of mind that
mbolizes peace and harmony in a karmic, tribal
ay. 2. Great juice."
In the report, Duffin said, “We’re thrilled to be
inging the Zuka tribe to College Station and to the
ate of Texas. We have no doubt that the town is go-
; to love our brand of fruit-blended smoothies.”
Although some people may wonder what the great
ipor tance of fruit juices represents, Zuka Juice fran
chise owner, Clark Nelson, said the store can some
times offer a three-course meal.
“Zuka is more than happy to answer the call from
consumers who want an alternative to the fast-food
scene and its lack of nutritional content,” he said. “It’s
not uncommon to see people come in several times a
day to grab a smoothie for breakfast or lunch and then
come back in the evening for dessert after dinner.”
Along with a refreshing and new taste for bever
ages, Zuka Juice offers a unique setting for customers
while they enjoy their drinks. The store’s walls are cov
ered with Zuka tribal artwork and murals, which al
lows visitors to get a total feel of exotic fruit drinks in
an extraordinary environment.
But the success of Zuka Juice also can be attrib
uted to Duffin spending two years in Jamaica,
where he continually worked on creating new fruit-
blended drinks. In the Creation of the chain of Zuka
Juice stores, Duffin also took on the responsibility
of including recruits from Baskin Robbins, Boston
Market, Mrs. Fields, Little Caesar’s, HealthRider,
Pro-Image and Bain & Co. With these successful
business minds backing him, Zuka Juice almost was
guaranteed prosperity.
As the popularity of juice bars continues to in
crease, Zuka Juice will be on the front lines, riding a
wave of Tropical Passion and Cranberry Cooler.
Grand-opening customers of Zuka Juice on Fri
day night, between the hours of 7 p.m. and closing
will receive a free sample of some of the store’s most
popular smoothies.
mm,
Now Blending!
zuWi(9 juice
BRANDON BOLLOM/The Battalion
,■ DELTA SIGMA PI
International Professional Business Fraternity
Spring Rush 1998
lalW"
an#
Monday, Jan. 26
Informational
8:30 - 10:00 p.m.
Rm. Ill Koldus
Thursday, Jan. 29
BBQ Social
7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
The Veranda
Wednesday, Feb. 4
Interviews
MSC 230, 231
Professional Attire
Wednesday, Jan. 28
Professional
7:00 - 8:13 p.m.
Rm. 225 MSC
Professional Attire
Monday, Feb. 2
Social
8:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Kyle Field Press Box
Thursday, Feb. 5
Social
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Fuddruckers
For more information, call
Scott Thacker 764-6528
Christian Tuma 775-7181
'ZOetcewte
http://wehner.tamu.edu/dsp
HURRY, DON'T MISS OUT!
ITALY STUDY ABROAD
SUMMER SESSION I '98
LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE
Receive 6 hours of credit taking the following two courses:
ARTS 350: Arts and Civilization
PSYC 489: Special Topics in the History of Psychology:
Psychology & the Renaissance
INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS
in 154 Bizzell Hall West
- Monday, January 26
10:00-10:30 AM
- Thursday, January 29
10:45-11:15 AM
Pick up an application at the meeting or
drop by the Study Abroad Program Office.
STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM OFFICE
161 Bizzell Hall West, (409) 845-0544
improvisational comedy
The perfect way to break
your New Year’s resolutions
Saturday, Jan 24
9 p.m. Rudder Theatre
Tickets are $4 in advance (MSC
BoxOffice)
http://http.tamu. edit :8000/~fslip