DiCaprio leads final Kerry push

DiCaprio has long been interested in environmental issues

Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio is on a final push to win votes for Presidential candidate John Kerry in the US election on 2 November.

DiCaprio, 29, has been speaking at rallies in Oregon and Florida, urging voters not to back President Bush.

"George Bush has made the wrong choices, disastrous choices when it comes to the environment. It's time for a change," he said in Tampa, Florida.

Backers for Mr Bush include Judy Hart Angelo, who wrote the theme for Cheers.

Stone at a Women on the Move rally in Wisconsin

Other Democrat supporters include Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Barbra Streisand and Sharon Stone.

"I think he's a phenomenal candidate and I look forward to continuing to support him," Affleck said of Mr Kerry.

"Women, if you vote thoughtfully... for lower taxes, for violence against women to be thoughtfully considered, then vote John Kerry," said actress and fellow Democrat Sharon Stone at a rally in Wisconsin.

Internet campaign

DiCaprio is also starring in a political ad campaign on the internet.

The Titanic star has rafted in celebrities including Justin Timberlake and Samuel L Jackson to take part in the advert for www.Rockthevote.com.

MTV's Rock the Vote campaign was set up to boost voting among young Americans.

Benicio del Toro is filmed asking women to vote, while DiCaprio once again speaks out about the environment.

The Hollywood fraternity traditionally votes Democrat, although political analysts believe it is unlikely to have an effect on the ultimate outcome.

"Ultimately, these celebrities have no effect on the voting public - they mainly preach to the choir, to those already committed to one party," said Marty Kaplan, communications professor at the University of Southern California.