Leo's birthday bash raises charity cash

Leonardo DiCaprio celebrated his 37th birthday by raising $1.3m (€950,000) for charity.

The 'J. Edgar' star threw a huge bash at New York's Avenue nightclub on Friday night (11.11.11) to raise money for his Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation which funds wildlife-protection projects and provides disaster relief and access to clean water in disaster hit countries such as Haiti.

Stars including Robert De Niro, Ed Norton, Bradley Cooper, Naomi Campbell, Kevin Connolly and Benicio del Toro attended the party where money was raised through an auction with lots including a 15-litre bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne painted for the 11.11.11-themed event by artist Peter Tunney, which sold for $50,000.

Chace Crawford – the 'Gossip Girl' co-star of Leonardo's former girlfriend Blake Lively – was also at the party where entertainment was provided by Mark Ronson, Q-Tip, Jus Ske and Miike Snow.

Unusually for a showbiz bash, a fee was charged on all drinks bought, including bottles of champagne, which helped to bring in extra funds for Leonardo's foundation.

Leonardo has been linked to a string of models since splitting from Blake earlier this year and is currently said to be smitten with 19-year-old Victoria's Secret Angel Karlie Kloss after spotting her at a party.

A source said: "He couldn't take his eyes off her. He walked back and forth three times at the party looking for prospects at the table cluttered with VS models but, after no luck, he settled at the 'bachelors' end of the room lady-less."