i think he would have been way bigger that him river was already big before he died

leo is a really bad actor, his only good film was titanic

i think river would have been bigger the best thing leo was in was titanic

That all depends on what roles River would have had offered to him, and what ones he would've taken. It's not necessarily talent or even how attractive an actor is that messures his success--if he doesn't land the important, notable roles, he's not going to be known as an A-List actor. For instance, Leonoard most definitely not be the actor his is today had it not been for Titanic. So, yes, if River had followed Leo and nabbed a role in a Blockbuster like that, than I do believe he could be just as famous as Leonoardo. He was just as attractive and would have grown to be just as good of an actor.

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Hold oooonnnn ~ wait a minute !

I will never know if Phoenix would have been bigger than DiCaprio - but I can tell you there is more to DiCaprio than good looks as mentioned above. Has anyone seen the movie "What's eating Gilbert Grape"? It's a fantastic book that is on the "Best Readers List" in America, and was made into a low budget film in 1993. If you haven't seen it - by all means please do!

DiCaprio, in this film, is by far NOT a handsome young actor on the cover of teeny bopper magazines. He plays a mentally retarded young boy about to turn 16 that no doctor ever thought he would see. Because of the challenges his character was born with, "Arnie" (DiCaprio) is not exactly a clean cut handsome man we are familiar with, but rather dowdy with a fear of taking baths that occurs later in the film. What amazes me most, is his ability to speak and move his body and hands that are nearly identical to anyone who has faced a developmentally disabled young man or woman. He's as good (IMO) as Dustin Hoffman in "Rainman", the only exception being that DiCaprio was breaking out of his "cute" rolls and Hoffman was already an established star. DiCaprio did NOT get the credit he deserved - although the Cannes Film Festival nominated him for their award. I think he may have even gotten it too.

You can read more about the movie here below, but don't let others opinions fool you . If your a DiCaprio fan, you will love it. Heck - if your a fan of any good movie, you'll love it too. It's one of my favorites because it follows the book EXACTLY - something rare in Hollywood film making.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108550/

Woah, woah, woah! I was not by any means degrading Leonardo or his talent as an actor. I've seen many of his movies--including "What's Eating Gilbert Grape", which is probably one of my favorite films, period--and am the first to come to his defense if someone thinks he is only a pretty boy. He is EXTREMELY talented, in my opinion, and I apologize if what I said before sounded contradictory.

Leo is a very dedicated, talented actor; all I was saying was that it takes more than just that to become known as an A-list actor. Leo did a fantastic job in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape"--he was nominated for an Oscar for his performance--but that movie did not necessarily make him a household name. It was a small film, and Blockbusters are what usually put someone "on the map", so to say. Point blank, I would never argue that Leo is just a pretty face--he has talent.

What I was trying to get across is that River, in order to have a career "bigger" than DiCaprio's, would've also needed a said Blockbuster or surprise hit to get his name out there, along with smaller films that would really challenge him as an actor. It's a combination of all these things. Yes, I wholeheartedly believe River would have grown to be just as good of an actor as DiCaprio, but in order to be "bigger" than him, he would've needed an extremely hefty role. Leo's was Titanic.

Hey Caitlin!

I hear you loud and clear . I hope that if any of the younger fans here read these posts, they too will pick up "What's Eating Gilbert Grape". I am ALL for the movie star who changes their entire appearance to capture a roll - and DiCaprio certainly did that.

You know another film that did the same years ago - but the actor by now is almost too "foo-foo" for anyone to take him seriously? TOM CRUISE! Just my opinion as usual here, but he made a great movie years ago called "Born on the 4th of July", based on the book by the same name by Ron Kovic. The movie is graphic, and alotta cussing up one end and down the other if that doesn't bother you. But his character went from a high school senior, to an injured, depressed, but ready to fight the system soldier after being injured severely in Vietnam. Of course Tom was a real cutie back in that day - but the movie mostly focuses on his heavy drinking, and long "hippie hair and beard" that looks like it hasn't seen a shower in years. Yeah, pretty gamey he was. But the film made an excellent point nonetheless.

I too wish River could have lived long enough to see a true "break out roll" like these mentioned above. I KNOW he could have pulled it off. Although I must admit that "My own Private Idaho" for it's time certainly took a walk on the edge.

Hey there ICU!

"Has anyone seen the movie "What's eating Gilbert Grape"? It's a fantastic book that is on the "Best Readers List" in America, and was made into a low budget film in 1993. If you haven't seen it - by all means please do!"

How could you mention this film WITHOUT at least noting the fact that Johnny Depp is in it, too?? LOL. It really is a good movie, and I caught it again recently on satellite. Leo truly does do an amazing portrayal of a disabled person - very convincing. And Johnny is very pleasant to look at, lol.

And I don't care what any fashion police have to say - I thought Johnny's trademark "scruffy" look with that red shirt and black jacket at the Golden Globe Awards Monday night was quite nice, lol. He wouldn't have been Johnny Depp if he didn't show up to something like that looking quirky - but always handsome! And Joaquin looked nice, too. (But was the fella sneaking behind the bushes to get in or something?? I saw him arrive and then , BOOM - no more Joaquin until he was inside. I didn't see any channel interview him on the red carpet - I seriously think he must have walked behind the bushes, lol.) And ditto someone's remark congratulating him on his win for Best Actor for "Walk the Line" - he deserved it! Yaaaay Joaquin! And Ryan Phillippe was quite exuberant, wasn't he? (Handsome as heck as always, too, lol) First he almost tackles his wife Reese Witherspoon when she when was announced as winner for Best Actress for "Walk the Line" - then he stands up yelling at Joaquin when he gets to the podium for his win to "PAY UP!!" repeatedly, lol. Joaquin later said that Ryan made him wager all the money he had on him at the time about whether he'd win - Ryan saying he would, and Joaquin saying he wouldn't. Glad Ryan won that wager, lol. Another highlight was good ol' Irish boy Jonathan Rhys Meyers winning for his role in the "Elvis" miniseries - there's another looker. I just hate Jake Gyllenhaal wasn't there to make it an even more pleasant viewing event, lol.

Ok, I'm done now. I'm a bit delirious still from the flu.

"And Johnny is very pleasant to look at, lol."

Can I get an amen? Johnny Depp is always pleasent to look at - along with my Keanu ! I think it was you, JC, who called them "eye candy" - love that! You know the best looking Johnny Depp scene that comes to mind for me? In all movies - it would have to be "Blow" - when he shows up home again after being in the pen for a couple of years. He walks in to see his "Pop" (Ray Liotta), and he has this nice tan with his hair slicked back in a ponytail and says "Hi Pop". Oh my word - I'm getting carried away- tehehe!

Sorry I didn't catch the Golden Globes - but from reading this forum I gather Joaquin and Reese won the best actor awards. Cool, cool, cool.

Back to topic - River was extremely good looking, and very talented. I have no doubt he would have reached the magnitudes of DiCaprio and Depp, and even (ahem!) Keanu . They do rake in the moulah don't they? And here I am trying to balance the checkbook so I can purchase a new pair of Nike Shox - sheesh.

Well, like it was said before River would need a breaking role, and if he had one later on he would be just as big as leo, maybe bigger, ive never seen Leo sing or playing guitarr , but i cant really see how you can compare those two, River really was the one and only River Phoenix.

"Can I get an amen? Johnny Depp is always pleasent to look at - along with my Keanu ! I think it was you, JC, who called them "eye candy" - love that!"

Hi again, ICU! Sorry, been incommunicado from this nasty flu for a few days. Yeah, that was probably me that said the "eye candy" thing, lol. It is a phrase I like to use. And aaaaalways appropriate when speaking of Johnny Depp, lol. Hey, I thought about you last night, ICU, when I was watching YOUR Keanu in "Bram Stoker's Dracula." I was so bored and unable to sleep that I caught the east AND west coast feeds on satellite, lol. Hope you and baby boy are doing well!!

Definantly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyone that claims Leo Dicaprio can't act,either knows absolutely zero about the craft,or they have not seen any of his work prior to Titanic...I do'nt mean just Gilbert Grape either,exspose yourselves to ,This Boy's Life,Basketball dairies,Total Eclipse,Romeo & Juliet,Marvin's Room...Titanic was actually one of the worst movies he made,and did'nt do him any favours with his reputation..what the film industry have got to realise, is that you do'nt put an amazing character actor into a one dimensional leading male or female roles{which i'm sure would have happened to Riv had he lived} as what happens ,then is when the actor is moved into the mainstream,people that do'nt explore past work ,are so quick to judge...All mouth ,no substance...River was a brilliant actor but, he stayed untouched and pure to his art,because he moved on to another dimension before anyone had a chance to tarnish it..

of corse river would be bigger. he would be huge! bet u anything. i mean look at joaquin now walk the line! river is still big even though he is gone.