Leonardo DiCaprio: Balancing Fame and Privacy After “Titanic”
Leonardo DiCaprio, the celebrated actor who rose to international stardom following the blockbuster success of “Titanic,” has opened up about the challenges of navigating life in the public eye while striving to maintain a sense of privacy. Despite his widespread recognition, DiCaprio, now 51, actively seeks to minimize his time in the spotlight, a strategy he has honed throughout his career.
The actor, recently named TIME’s Entertainer of the Year, shared insights into his approach to managing the constant attention that comes with being a globally recognized celebrity.
“It’s been a balance I’ve been managing my whole adult life,” DiCaprio explained, “and still I’m not an expert. I think my simple philosophy is only get out there and do something when you have something to say, or you have something to show for it. Otherwise, just disappear as much as you possibly can.”
This philosophy stems from a desire to have a long and fulfilling career, one that isn’t solely defined by constant visibility. “I was like, ‘OK, how do I have a long career? Because I love what I do, and I feel like the best way to have a long career is to get out of people’s face.'”
His commitment to privacy is evident in his efforts to conceal his identity when out in public.
The actor is frequently seen sporting a hat and face mask, effectively shielding himself from unwanted attention. This practice, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic, has become a staple in his everyday wardrobe.
Even at high-profile events, such as Jeff Bezos’s wedding to Lauren Sanchez, DiCaprio has been spotted with his signature cap, pulled low over his face, as he left his hotel dressed in a tuxedo.
However, DiCaprio understands the importance of engaging with the public when it comes to promoting his work. He readily removes his disguises for publicity events and premieres, fulfilling his professional obligations.
The “Titanic” Phenomenon
DiCaprio’s career trajectory took a dramatic turn nearly 30 years ago when he portrayed Jack Dawson in “Titanic.” The film’s unprecedented success thrust him into a level of fame he had never anticipated.
Reflecting on the loss of anonymity in a 2016 interview, DiCaprio discussed the profound impact of “Titanic” on his life. He admitted that he had no real understanding of the magnitude of the film’s success beforehand.
“Before Titanic, I had no conception of what any of that meant. It was shocking. People said, “Do you realize how big of a movie this is?” I said, “Yeah, it’s big. It’s a big movie.” They’re like, “No. No. No, it’s the biggest movie ever,” and I’m like, “Well, what does that mean? So it’s big.” They’re like, “No. No. No, you don’t get it. You don’t understand what this means.” I thought, okay, great, it made a lot of money, and people are seeing it.”
The Aftermath of “Titanic”
The overwhelming attention that followed “Titanic” led to a significant shift in DiCaprio’s life, one that initially detracted from his craft.
“My whole life became about things that weren’t about acting,” he confessed. He emphasized that “Titanic” was initially an experiment for him and Kate Winslet, both of whom had primarily worked on independent films.
“Titanic was very much an experiment for Kate Winslet and I. We’d done all of these independent movies. I loved her as an actress and she said, ‘Let’s do this together, we can do this.'”
The film’s unexpected success prompted DiCaprio to re-evaluate his priorities. “We did it, and it became something that we could’ve never foreseen,” he said. “We never predicted that it would be what it was, and I said, “Okay, slow down. Let all this pass a little bit, and let’s get back to…find something that…I knew it was going to be an adjustment. I knew there was an expectation of me to do a certain thing at that point, and I knew I had to get back to what my intentions were from the onset.”
“Titanic” was a critical and commercial triumph, earning an impressive 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film grossed nearly $2 billion during its initial release and has since surpassed that mark through subsequent re-releases. It also held the title of the highest-grossing film of all time for several years until James Cameron’s “Avatar” surpassed it in 2009. “Titanic” received 14 Academy Award nominations and won 11, including Best Picture.