Leonardo DiCaprio is one of Hollywood's most respected, versatile and solid actors.

He's taken on roles like King Louis XIV of France (The Man in the Iron Mask), author and poet Jim Carroll (The Basketball Diaries) and the infamous imposter Frank Abagnale, Jr. (Catch Me If You Can).

Over the years, DiCaprio has successfully shed most of his idol status (Titanic), emerging as an actor sought out by top Hollywood directors like Martin Scorcese, Steven Spielberg, Sam Mendes and Christopher Nolan.

DiCaprio, who turns 37 on Friday, next appears in Clint Eastwood's J. Edgar, a biopic about J. Edgar Hoover, the first director of the FBI.

In the film, the actor makes a remarkable transformation playing Hoover, complete with his accent and hand gestures, aging some 60 years over just two hours. DiCaprio is also getting Oscar buzz for his portrayal of Hoover.

When I can't immediately define the character, and there's an element of mystery to it and still a lot to be explored, that's when I say yes . . . I like those kinds of complicated characters. I just do, DiCaprio recently told the New York Times.

In 2010, DiCaprio's films earned him $77 million, making him the highest earning actor in Hollywood, according to the annual Forbes report.

With more than 20 films to his resume, and a handful of documentaries, DiCaprio is not slowing down anytime soon.

DiCaprio recently served as producer to the George Clooney political thriller, The Ides of March, starring Clooney and Ryan Gosling.

Up next for DiCaprio is The Great Gatsby with his Romeo + Juliet director Baz Luhrmann. The film is currently in production in Australia. Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan and Isla Fisher also star in the adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel.

J. Edgar arrives in select theaters on Wednesday, with a wide release on Friday.

Click through the slide show for Leonardo DiCaprio's 10 best films.

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