Leonardo DiCaprio Is TIME’s 2025 Entertainer of the Year

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When Leonardo DiCaprio was fifteen, he quickly educated himself about film history using rented VHS tapes. He’d just gotten his first big movie role, acting alongside Robert De Niro, and wanted to learn from the masters. While watching many films, he was particularly struck by James Dean’s performance as Cal Trask in the 1955 movie East of Eden. Dean played a rebellious son desperate for his father’s approval. DiCaprio was captivated by Dean’s portrayal of a restless, attention-seeking young man – someone who seemed to constantly be performing, yet deeply craved connection. Dean’s Cal felt both vulnerable and guarded, longing for affection that always seemed just out of reach.

Leonardo DiCaprio was deeply impressed by James Dean’s raw and honest performances. He’s said he’s fascinated by actors who can reveal such vulnerability, stripping away any protective layers. DiCaprio wondered if he could achieve that same level of openness. Dean had passed away 35 years prior, leaving behind a small but powerful filmography. Yet, his work continued to inspire, unknowingly influencing actors like DiCaprio. It’s impossible to predict how the legacy of great performers will affect us, or to fully appreciate the impact they have.

Leonardo DiCaprio, now 51, has achieved a level of success that many actors only dream of. He first gained attention in the 1993 film This Boy’s Life, based on Tobias Wolff’s memoir, where he played a young boy struggling with the harsh treatment of his stepfather, powerfully portrayed by Robert De Niro. Even then, viewers were struck by DiCaprio’s ability to capture the awkwardness and confusion of adolescence – the space between childhood and adulthood – making his performance deeply relatable. Hollywood recognized his talent and offered him a substantial sum – a life-changing amount, especially considering his modest upbringing in tough Los Angeles neighborhoods – to appear in the Disney comedy Hocus Pocus. However, DiCaprio chose to play a teenager with intellectual disabilities in the more serious and independent film What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, demonstrating his commitment to challenging roles.

Leonardo DiCaprio, a seven-time Oscar nominee and one-time winner, often seems to make surprising choices that ultimately prove brilliant – a sign of his strong intuition and ability to trust his gut. He collaborates with people he respects and dedicates himself to projects he genuinely believes in. Beyond that, he simply has a captivating presence. After over 30 years in the industry, consistently taking risks, audiences are still eager to see him perform, perhaps even more so now. Even in unconventional roles, like his character in Paul Thomas Anderson’s sprawling film One Battle After Another – a faded revolutionary sporting an unusual beard – he continues to draw viewers.

Leonardo DiCaprio plays Bob Ferguson, a former activist now living a quiet, secluded life. He’s a dedicated single father to his teenage daughter, Willa (played by Chase Infiniti). A bit out of touch with modern teenage life, Bob instinctively questions Willa about her plans and friends. Once passionately committed to various causes, Bob now spends his days relaxing in a comfortable bathrobe and smoking marijuana. However, his protective instincts haven’t disappeared – they’ve simply shifted focus. His fierce love for his daughter drives the film’s plot and has kept audiences talking and returning to it months after its release in September.

It’s easy to see why people are always discussing Leonardo DiCaprio’s films, whether it’s Titanic, The Wolf of Wall Street, or Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood. This raises the question: what does it take for an actor to consistently stay relevant? And how does anyone manage to do it for so long? DiCaprio seems to have mastered the art, yet he doesn’t claim to have all the answers.

Although Leonardo DiCaprio does give interviews, he doesn’t do as many as people might expect. He recently explained his passion for the film One Battle After Another while recovering from pneumonia. He noted how rare truly original stories are these days—stories not based on history, existing characters, or typical genres like vampires or ghosts. He believes the studio took a risk with the film, hoping audiences would connect with the unique storytelling of its creator, Paul.

Leonardo DiCaprio recognizes that One Battle explores the importance of having something to believe in – a theme that clearly connects with audiences today. Beyond being a clever and funny movie, it argues that having strong principles is vital. He explains, “It’s about people feeling unable to speak their minds or take a stand, because the world can be a frightening place.”

Leonardo DiCaprio delivered a convincing performance as a father, a role he developed by speaking with co-star Infiniti Anderson about the anxieties of parenthood and the future. He described working with Anderson as effortless, saying he felt instantly protective of her due to her kindness and sweetness. Anderson, in turn, was struck by DiCaprio’s generosity and warmth, something she hadn’t anticipated. While she expected a dedicated professional, she was impressed by his skill and genuine personality. As a newcomer to film, Anderson found DiCaprio to be an ideal mentor, offering guidance and advice, but also simply being approachable and open to conversation, which she greatly appreciated.

When One Battle After Another was released, many box office analysts predicted it wouldn’t earn back its production costs. However, the film has proven them wrong, grossing over $200 million worldwide by mid-November. This is a significant achievement, particularly in today’s movie market where films quickly move to streaming, and especially for a nearly three-hour original movie.

A film’s lasting impact isn’t just about box office success; it’s about how much people talk about it. Paul Thomas Anderson drew inspiration from Thomas Pynchon’s novel Vineland when writing the script. The resulting film is a darkly comedic look at a violent society, but it’s also wonderfully strange. Where else would you find rebel nuns called the Sisters of the Brave Beaver, or Benicio del Toro playing a supremely cool martial arts instructor, Sensei Sergio St. Carlos? Leonardo DiCaprio believes One Battle is appealing both as an actor and as a moviegoer – he says he’s a frequent cinema visitor. He explains, “I love that it sparks conversation. That’s why we make movies—to have some kind of effect on people.”

Creating a film as unusual and daring as One Battle After Another requires a director and a lead actor who share a similar vision. Director Anderson had always wanted to work with Leonardo DiCaprio, and they finally found the perfect project to collaborate on. The connection was made through Adam Somner, a first assistant director who had previously worked with both of them individually. Anderson believed they would work well together, but he was surprised by how well they connected and how much DiCaprio influenced the atmosphere on set. Anderson explains that a star of DiCaprio’s caliber sets the standard for the entire production. “When you’re the lead actor, especially a major star with a long career, your behavior impacts everything. It tells the crew what kind of film they’re making,” he says. “Leonardo’s leadership comes from his presence, his willingness to be available, and his straightforward approach. It’s really that simple – there’s no pretense.”

I have to say, watching Leo do the promo tour for this movie has been really cool. He usually avoids all that stuff, but he seems genuinely happy to be talking about it. I think he really believes in the power of film and understands it doesn’t always hit you right away. That’s why he’s been going all-out – he’s even been on TikTok, directing videos with Infiniti! He’s done Q&As with Paul Thomas Anderson and even showed up on the Kelce brothers’ podcast with Jeff. It’s awesome to see him putting in the effort, especially because this movie was a big risk for the studio. It wasn’t an easy shoot at all – over nine months and 100 days! Paul Anderson said it could make anyone cranky, but they all still seem to genuinely love each other and the film, which is fantastic.

Even with the rise of streaming, movie fans often ask if there are any true movie stars remaining. Leonardo DiCaprio comes the closest. He’s selective about the roles he takes and uses his production company, Appian Way, to help bring projects he’s passionate about to life. This has allowed him to move beyond the roles that made him famous – like the charming but safe Jack Dawson in Titanic or the romantic, impulsive Romeo – which were perfect for an up-and-coming actor.

I always felt like The Aviator was a turning point for DiCaprio – the start of his really mature phase as an actor. Before that, he was the charming heartthrob, but with Howard Hughes, he dove headfirst into playing seriously flawed characters. And he hasn’t looked back! It’s fascinating to me how he actively seeks out complex, sometimes even unlikeable, roles. Think about Gatsby, or even Ernest Burkhart in Killers of the Flower Moon – a guy caught up in terrible schemes. He’s incredible at finding those vulnerable, messed-up parts of men, those shadowy areas we usually don’t see. He’s not chasing the heroic image; he’s after something much more nuanced and real – that interplay of light and dark, if you know what I mean. It’s what makes him such a compelling actor, and honestly, unlike anyone else working today.

It’s hard to say how someone prepares for a career like this one. It seems like simply being observant and aware is a good start. As a child, he loved making people laugh by imitating his parents’ friends, who were often free-spirited. He was actually fired from the children’s show Romper Room for hitting the camera – not exactly a promising beginning! He became envious when his stepbrother started appearing in commercials and tried to find an agent himself, but had no luck until he was twelve. At that point, he took charge of his own career, pushing his parents to get him to auditions and manage his schedule. He wasn’t necessarily aiming for Hollywood stardom, but rather a way to make a living after school, which he disliked. He felt a real urgency to figure out his career path, saying, “School was awful, I needed to start planning what I’d do for work right away.”

Leonardo DiCaprio started his career with a role on the TV show Growing Pains, but he had to negotiate his way out of his contract to star in This Boy’s Life – thankfully, it worked out. When asked about growing up in the film industry, he initially says he doesn’t feel like he did. But then he remembers he absolutely did. He admits he may have been a bit of a goofball on set when he was younger, but quickly learned to be professional. He recalls feeling frustrated when people underestimated his understanding, saying, “What I remember most about that age is people underestimating you and your ability to comprehend what needs to be done.” He often wanted to tell filmmakers, “I get it, I get it. Talk to me like an adult.”

Leonardo DiCaprio didn’t initially aim for superstardom, but he’s undeniably achieved it. He acknowledges the challenge of balancing his personal privacy with the constant public attention that comes with fame. He’s been navigating this for years and still feels like he’s learning. His approach is simple: only appear in public when he has something meaningful to share or a project to promote, and otherwise stay out of the spotlight as much as possible. While the early success of Titanic gave him creative freedom, the intense attention was overwhelming, and he worried about public fatigue. He realized he needed a strategy to sustain a long-lasting career in a profession he loves, believing that staying out of the public eye was key.

While acting allows for powerful self-expression, Leonardo DiCaprio understands the importance of connecting with the wider world. He’s consistently demonstrated a commitment to environmental issues, starting with his 2007 documentary, The 11th Hour, which highlighted the planet’s urgent problems. This dedication continues today with Re:wild, an organization he co-founded in 2021. Re:wild works with Indigenous communities and local groups to protect crucial natural areas. DiCaprio emphasizes the severity of the situation, noting that predictions about climate change are rapidly becoming reality, as seen in the increasingly frequent and devastating wildfires, even near his home in Los Angeles. He hopes Re:wild can empower Indigenous people to lead conservation efforts, protecting ecosystems to combat climate change, preserve biodiversity, and absorb carbon dioxide. He also believes technological innovation will be crucial, hoping for breakthroughs that will reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

You know, what really strikes me about Leonardo DiCaprio is how much he genuinely cares about both the science and the possibility of a positive future. I was reading about a speech he gave at Jane Goodall’s funeral recently, and he hit on something really important. He admitted that when we think about environmental problems, it’s easy to get stuck on all the bad news and what we’re losing. He said he used to struggle with that himself! But Jane Goodall always led with hope, refusing to dwell on despair. She focused on solutions and what could be done. It really resonated with me when he said she believed change starts with compassion, and that ultimately, our shared humanity is our most powerful asset.

Leonardo DiCaprio has been giving a lot of thought to what makes us human, especially in light of advancements in AI. He understands AI could change filmmaking, and while he’s concerned about potential job losses for skilled professionals, he’s not dismissing it entirely. He suggests AI could be a powerful tool for new filmmakers, allowing them to create something truly original – but emphasizes that the core of any true art must come from a human creator. He uses AI-generated music as an example: while some of these creations are incredibly impressive and momentarily captivating, they often lack lasting impact because they’re not rooted in human experience. They might go viral, but ultimately fade away, unlike art with genuine human connection.

It’s natural that music came up – acting and music both communicate through words, but also go beyond them. DiCaprio mentioned his love for early blues artists like Blind Willie McTell and Blind Lemon Jefferson, as well as groups like the Ink Spots and the Mills Brothers. He enjoys the harmonies of the World War II era, finding them relaxing. He’s a big fan of Django Reinhardt, and also loves artists like Al Green and Stevie Wonder – he could talk about music for a long time, seemingly lost in thought and not paying attention to the time.

It’s surprisingly funny how seriously Leonardo DiCaprio takes his work, while not taking himself seriously at all. He admits to being starstruck many times, especially when he first met Meryl Streep and Diane Keaton, his co-star in Marvin’s Room. He was deeply impressed by both actresses, but particularly loved Keaton’s infectious laugh. He remembers her laughter echoing throughout the set and making everyone feel hilarious. He made it a personal goal to make her laugh each day because it was so contagious. He describes her as incredible.

Like many actors, Keaton also tried his hand at directing. While Leonardo DiCaprio doesn’t currently plan to direct, he didn’t dismiss the idea outright when asked. He does, however, have strong thoughts on the future of film: he believes it’s impossible to predict what’s coming next. “I was just wondering recently what will really shake things up in cinema,” he explained. “So much groundbreaking work has already been done, and there are so many incredibly talented directors experimenting with new things. What will be the next truly shocking cinematic moment?”

Despite battling pneumonia, Leonardo DiCaprio spoke for a full hour, thoughtfully answering every question. He’s skilled at navigating tricky inquiries, often turning what seems like avoidance into a response in itself. He’s not trying to impress, but genuinely wants to do a good job and avoid hindering the process. He’s surprisingly relaxed and down-to-earth, almost reminiscent of the fresh-faced actor from his earlier films like This Boy’s Life, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, and Romeo + Juliet. However, his striking, intensely blue eyes – a classic movie star quality – remind us of a fading era of grand cinema. Unlike James Dean, who died young, DiCaprio has remained a consistent presence, allowing audiences to witness his growth from a young actor into one capable of portraying incredibly complex and nuanced characters. He explores the many facets of manhood – its strengths, weaknesses, and vulnerabilities – and built a successful career while still retaining the passion of the boy who simply wanted to act. (Reporting by Simmone Shah)

The set design was created by Whitney Hellesen, with styling by Evet Sanchez, grooming by Kara Yoshimoto Bua, and production handled by Crawford & Co Productions.

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2025-12-08 18:08