Leonardo DiCaprio took home another major award on Sunday night after he picked up the best actor prize of the 2016 British Academy Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). The actor made a sweet and emotional gesture by dedicating his triumph to his mother, Irmelin Indenbirken.
According to Vogue News, DiCaprio delivered a moving acceptance speech during the awards night by dedicating his BAFTA honor to his 71-year-old mother Irmelin, who also happened to be celebrating her birthday. The 41-year-old star won the best actor in a leading role for his performance in The Revenant.
"I would not be standing here if it weren't for this person," DeCaprio said. "Mom, happy birthday! I love you very much."
"I didn't grow up in a life of privilege," he disclosed. "I grew up in a very rough neighborhood in East Los Angeles and this woman drove me three hours a day to a different school to show me a different opportunity."
Speaking to the Mirror at BAFTA after-party, Irmelin said that he is proud of his only child. "Everyone's always saying he's a mommy's boy and I say: 'Do you mind when everyone says that?' And he says: 'No, I love it'. He'll always be a mommy's boy. I'm so proud of him."
BBC reported that Irmelin, who has been DiCaprio's preferred date to most award shows, is a German-born legal secretary. She worked several jobs to support her only child. She was divorced with DiCaprio's father when the award-winning actor was only one year old.
DiCaprio has been very open about his childhood. He told the LA Times in 2014 that his mother would drive 10 miles so that he could attend a private school.
DiCaprio also revealed in the interview that his mother supported his decision to drop out of high school and become an actor. He added that Irmelin would drive him to auditions. They lived together for years even after he achieved mega stardom in Titanic in 1997.
