Sunday was the best night of Leonardo DiCaprio’s professional life as he finally walked away with an Oscar after six nominations.
The 41-year-old’s portrayal of a betrayed 19th-century frontiersman seeking revenge in The Revenant won him his first Academy Award in the Best Actor category as he beat out four notable competitors including Eddie Redmayne and Michael Fassbender.
DiCaprio received a standing ovation from the audience as he walked to the stage to accept his award.
It is 22 years since he was first nominated for an Academy Award, having been nominated for best supporting actor for What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.
He was also nominated as best actor for The Aviator (2005), Blood Diamond (2007) and The Wolf of Wall Street (2014) for which he also got a best picture (as producer) nomination.
Accepting his honour, the Titanic star said that making The Revenant was “about man’s relationship to the natural world”.
“Climate change is real and it’s happening right now. It’s the most urgent threat affecting our species. Let us not take this planet for granted. I do not take this night for granted,” he said.
The actor’s commitment to the role had received a lot of attention. DiCaprio was said to have eaten raw bison liver and slept in animal carcasses.
Fellow celebrities and fans across the world have reached out to congratulate DiCaprio.
Finally!!! Our guy!!! We’re so so happy for Leo!!!
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 29, 2016
He did it! He really did it! @LeoDiCaprio, I love you #Oscars
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) February 29, 2016
LEO WON LEO WON! FINALLY! I AM SCREAMING AND CRYING HA. LONG OVERDUE. HE IS JUST SENSATIONAL AND ONE OF A KIND. THANK YOU ACADEMY!!
— AllyBrooke Hernandez (@AllyBrooke) February 29, 2016
Congrats to @LeoDiCaprio. Great speech!
— John Legend (@johnlegend) February 29, 2016
It Happppppened!! bravo Leo! standing O in my p.j’s. #Oscars
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) February 29, 2016
Its about time #Leo
— Jessica Chastain (@jes_chastain) February 29, 2016
Congratulations @LeoDiCaprio from the cast of the longest-running noontime show in the Philippines, @EatBulaga pic.twitter.com/BhzlXtyypk
— Joey de Leon (@AngPoetNyo) February 29, 2016
Could not be any happier for my fave, congrats Leo babe????????????
— megan (@xmeganelizxbeth) February 29, 2016
Meanwhile, The Revenant also picked up Oscars for Best Cinematography and Best Director for Alejandro González Iñárritu.
