obituaries

Leonardo DiCaprio Remembers Late What’s Eating Gilbert Grape Actress Darlene Cates

Photo: Credit: Mike Windle/Staff

Actress Darlene Cates, most well-known for her turn as Bonnie Grape in Lasse Hallström’s 1993 film What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, died this past weekend at the age of 69. Her daughter Sheri Cates Morgan announced her death on Sunday. Tuesday, Cates’s co-star Leonardo DiCaprio remembered her fondly on Facebook. Wrote the Revenant actor, “Darlene was the best acting mom I ever had the privilege of working alongside. Her endearing personality and incredible talent will live on in the memories of those who knew her, and those who loved her work. My thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time.†DiCaprio earned his first Academy Award nomination and Golden Globe nod for his depiction of Cates’s mentally disabled son Arnie Grape. Cates went on to appear on the television shows Picket Fences and Touched by and Angel.

Leo DiCaprio Remembers Gilbert Grape Actress Darlene Cates