LOS ANGELES-Leonardo Dicaprio is offering members of the public a chance to join him at the U.S. Open men’s tennis final. The third annual Leonardo Dicaprio Foundation (LDF) gala auction takes place on Wednesday.
Unlike in previous years, when bidding on lots was restricted to those who attended the star-studded event in Saint-Tropez, France, members of the public will be able to bid online. In addition to an evening at the tennis, other lots include a week on set with legendary director Martin Scorsese, a private theatre performance from Kevin Spacey, artwork from Pablo Picasso, Jeff Koons and Damien Hirst, or the chance to be movie mogul Harvey Weinstein’s personal guest at major film events such as the Academy Awards.
Other lots available in the auction include lunch with Australian actress Margot Robbie, a trip to the South and North Poles and Mount Everest with explorer Johan Ernst Nilson, and a 1950 Jaguar Mark V car signed by stars including Leonardo, Channing Tatum, Robert De Niro, Mark Wahlberg, Ben Affleck, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
Robert De Niro, Cate Blanchett, Scarlett Johansson, Charlize Theron, The Weeknd, Lana Del Rey and Bono are all expected to attend Wednesday’s gala event at the French resort’s Domaine Bertraud Belieu Vineyard.
According to America’s Forbes magazine bids can be submitted via email to the address, LDF@aabproductions.com, with all the money raised going towards environmental and conservation projects and research funded by the LDF.
Last year’s (15) auction, which was not open to online buyers, raised $40 million (£30.3 million). Bosses at the foundation recently announced grants of $15.6 million (£11.9 million) to various environmental organisations.
Hailing the announcement, Leonardo said, “We are greatly increasing our level of vital grant making and strategic partnerships to help solve some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.”
The actor also used his speech when accepting the Best Actor award at February’s (16) Academy Awards to state his commitment to environmental activism and the fight against climate change.
“Climate change is real, it is happening right now,” the actor declared in his speech. “It is the most urgent threat facing our entire species, and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating.”
The actor’s organisation has donated $59 million (£44.8 million) to conservation causes since the Foundation’s launch in 1998.
