A few years ago, at the height of the TITANIC frenzy, I somehow became the "go-to" guy in Hollywood for any and all information about Leonardo DiCaprio. I was constantly on call to provide commentary and trivia about the life of the young star...even hired to write a biographical article accompanying racy photos of him in "Playgirl" Magazine (they were actually just grainy frames from a movie he'd done) and co-host a best-selling, straight-to-video life story about him entitled "Hangin' with Leo." In spite of his heartthrob status, he always managed to turn in impressive performances (like his Oscar-nominated turn in one of my all-time favourites, "What's Eating Gilbert Grape") and eschew the frivolities normally associated with being the idol of pubescent girls around the world.

Then, last year, I saw "Blood Diamond" and was blown away. He was, I believed, at the top of his game. It was not only one of my top film picks for 2006, but he was my hands-down choice for Best Actor. Proving that you have to be careful what you say around publicists, I shared that opinion in a casual conversation and the next thing I knew, I was being quoted in newspaper advertisements for the film. Oh, well...at least my comments were true even if they were unauthorized by me! Interviewing him for that film was initially daunting--after all, I had a brain full of information & minutiae about this young guy and here I was, supposed to sit down for an intimate one-on-one conversation. But his baby-faced looks and youth belie the thoughtful and intelligent gentleman he really is...and as soon as we began to chat, those great qualities immediately came out. I've also had the pleasure of spending some social time with his effervescent mother, Irmalyn, who not only radiates her own dynamic persona, but is a justifiably proud mama. Along with father and grandmother, they are an amazing family of personalities.

So this week I had the good fortune to see his newest movie, "The 11th Hour," a documentary he produced and narrated (Mom Irmalyn served as Executive Producer) and, again, I was dazzled by the DiCaprios. (I was obviously not alone...you could have heard a pin drop at the screening!) It is an important film about the perilous state of our environment and, like his "Aviator" co-star Cate Blanchett, Leo is one of the few green-friendly celebrities who doesn't just pay lip service to the cause...he "walks the walk" and even has his own environmental foundation with which he is keenly involved. He and I had another first-rate interview and I made a point of telling him that, at the risk of sounding like his "Uncle Nelson," I continue to be so proud and impressed with his great work and the man he has become. Not many showbiz kids growing up in the white-hot glare of the media spotlight can do what he's done and continues to do. Do yourself (and the globe) a favour when the movie comes out in your local cinema and take some friends to see it.

Interesting tidbit: Before I went in for my interview with him, a representative of the hotel venue where it was conducted approached his rep with a young, pretty Middle Eastern princess who had heard Leo was on site. She wanted a photograph taken with him and was obviously not used to being refused any requests...especially in "her" hotel. While you can't blame a girl for trying, there were no special privileges for the Princess, I'm happy to report. Leonardo was there to discuss his work and it was a completely inappropriate time to interrupt with the whim of a star-struck girl. It should be noted that when he is out and about on his own personal time, he is a friendly and obliging fan-favourite. Maybe she should just log on to ebay and try and dig up an old VHS copy of "Hangin' with Leo" until she bumps into him getting into his Hybrid car.