Leonardo DiCaprio, superstar and environmentalist Actor, philantropist, icon

Today Leonardo DiCaprio is 45 years old. A date that, rather than a man's birthday, represents the birthday of an icon of modern times, of an immense presence of pop culture and one of the most loved and respected public figures in the world. DiCaprio is the last of the traditional film stars but also the first of a new generation of celebrities. His filmography spans decades and includes a surprising number of unforgettable roles. On the screen, DiCaprio was everyone: the emigrant, the king, the lover, the survivor, the villain, the billionaire, the madman, the gangster, the policeman, the swindler. On the other hand, offscreen he is, to paraphrase Tony Stark, a millionaire, a playboy and above all a philanthropist, as well as one of the first and most committed activists for the defense of the environment and sustainability.

Five years ago, however, when DiCaprio spoke for the first time before the United Nations, the issue was not yet so hot. Queen Elizabeth still used her animal furs and so did Gucci and Prada along with the totality of the fashion system, except perhaps Stella McCartney, always champion of animal rights and environmental causes. Only those who inquired knew about the crisis and the issue did not seem so urgent in the eyes of the public, but it was so in the eyes of DiCaprio and had been so since the 1990s. The actor has also publicly celebrated the Swedish environmental icon Greta Thunberg calling her "a leader of our times" and is now celebrated as one of the most important activists in the world. On the occasion of his birthday we should perhaps ask ourselves: what world would it be if we were all like DiCaprio?