Leo DiCaprio pays tribute to 'Gilbert Grape' actress Darlene Cates

Leonardo DiCaprio is remembering Darlene Cates, the woman who played his mother in 1993's What's Eating Gilbert Grape, the breakout role that earned him his first Oscar nomination at age 19. (It would take him another 22 years and four nominations before he finally took home a trophy for The Revenant.)

Cates played Bonnie Grape, whose grief over her husband's suicide spiraled into morbid obesity. When she became unable to care for herself or her younger, developmentally disabled son, Arnie (DiCaprio), eldest son Gilbert (Johnny Depp) became the de facto head of household.

"Darlene was the best acting mom I ever had the privilege of working alongside," DiCaprio, now 42,wrote on Facebook Tuesday. "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."

Cates, who was discovered during an episode of Sally Jessy Raphael's talk show about her struggle with obesity,  died in her sleep Sunday morning at her home in Forney, Texas, according to her son-in-law, David Morgan.