Claim: Leonardo DiCaprio is an actor.

The Aviator is a 2004 American epic biographical drama film directed by Martin Scorsese , written by John Logan . It stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Howard Hughes , Cate Blanchett as Katharine Hepburn and Kate Beckinsale as Ava Gardner . The supporting cast features Ian Holm , John C. Reilly , Alec Baldwin , Jude Law as Errol Flynn , Gwen Stefani as Jean Harlow , Kelli Garner as Faith Domergue , Willem Dafoe , Alan Alda , and Edward Herrmann .   Based on the 1993 non-fiction book Howard Hughes : The Secret Life by Charles Higham , the film depicts the life of Howard Hughes , an aviation pioneer and director of Hell 's Angels . The film portrays his life from 1927 -- 1947 during which time Hughes became a successful film producer and an aviation magnate while simultaneously growing more unstable due to severe obsessive -- compulsive disorder -LRB- OCD -RRB- .   The Aviator was released in the United States on December 25 , 2004 . The film grossed $ 214 million at the box office . It was nominated for eleven Academy Awards , including Best Picture , Best Director , Best Original Screenplay , Best Actor in a Leading Role for DiCaprio , and Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Alda , winning five for Best Cinematography , Best Film Editing , Best Costume Design , Best Art Direction and Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Cate Blanchett .