What's Eating Gilbert Grape is a 1993 American drama film directed by Lasse Hallström and starring Johnny Depp, Juliette Lewis, Darlene Cates, and Leonardo DiCaprio. When contacted by FBI agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton), Whitey agrees to help the bureau combat the Italian mafia. Cates sister, Sheri Cates Morgan, shared the news on Facebook. List of films released posthumously Darlene Cates Dead: ‘Gilbert Grape’ Actress Dies at 69 (1993) What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. She was 69. Darlene Cates, the actor who played the troubled mother to Leonardo DiCaprio ‘s and Johnny Depp ‘s characters in 1993 film What’s Eating … She … Her daughter, Sheri Cates Morgan, announced her passing on a Facebook post. Darlene Cates, actress from She was 69. Leonardo DiCaprio posts heartfelt tribute to Darlene Cates 5.0 / 5.0. Black Mass. 8. Leonardo DiCaprio has paid tribute to on-screen mother Darlene Cates following her death aged 69. darlene cates death cause - redhillglass.com