Leonardo DiCaprioLeonardo DiCaprioHe's a loaded megastar who can have his pick of Hollywood movies.

But life wasn't always as sweet for Leonardo DiCaprio.

The A-lister hottie has come clean on his rough 'n' ready upbringing in a drug-ridden neighbourhood of Los Angeles.

33-year-old Leo told the Daily Mirror: "My mother and I lived at Hollywood and Western - a drug dealer and prostitute corner.

"It was pretty terrifying. I got beat up a lot. I saw people having sex in the alleys. I remember I was five years old and this guy with a trenchcoat, needles and crack cornered me.

"Seeing the devastation on my block, seeing heroin addicts, made me think twice about ever getting involved in drugs. It's evil."

Perhaps the gritty reality of his childhood is the reason why Leo doesn't feel the need to splash around his cash.

"I don't really have an extravagant life. I don't fly private jets, I don't have bodyguards and I don't buy crazy things," he said.

"I'm not the sort of person who tries to be cool or trendy. I'm not interested in being 'a star'".

Ladies, you've been told.