Leonardo DiCaprio says he prefers to stay out of the public eye whenever possible, despite becoming an international superstar in his early 20s following the massive success of Titanic.
The 51-year-old actor, recently named TIME’s Entertainer of the Year, discussed in a new interview the ongoing challenge of balancing fame with his desire for privacy.
“It’s been a balance I’ve been managing my whole adult life,” he said. “My simple philosophy is to only step out and engage when you have something to say or show. Otherwise, just disappear as much as possible.”
DiCaprio explained that his priority has always been a long-lasting career: “I thought, ‘How do I have a long career? Because I love what I do… the best way is to stay out of people’s faces.’”
The interview also sheds light on why he is rarely seen in public without a hat and face mask. The habit began during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since become a permanent part of his everyday attire, according to the Daily Mail.
Not even high-profile events make him forgo the disguise. At Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s wedding earlier this year, he was photographed leaving his hotel in a tuxedo, cap pulled low over his face. When it’s time to work such as at movie premieres, interviews, or publicity events—he removes the coverings.
DiCaprio became a household name nearly 30 years ago after playing Jack Dawson in Titanic, a role that dramatically changed his life and ended much of his anonymity.
In a 2016 interview with Deadline, he recalled how overwhelming fame was: “Before Titanic, I had no conception of what any of that meant. It was shocking… people said it was the biggest movie ever, and I didn’t understand what that meant.”
He admitted that the sudden spotlight temporarily distracted him from acting. Titanic, which he starred in alongside Kate Winslet, was intended as an experiment after both had primarily worked in independent films.
“We did it, and it became something we could never have foreseen,” he said. “I knew there was an expectation for me to do a certain thing at that point, and I had to return to my original intentions.”
Titanic became a global phenomenon, earning 14 Academy Award nominations and winning 11, including Best Picture. It grossed nearly $2 billion during its initial release and later surpassed that milestone through re-releases. While it was eventually surpassed by Avatar in 2009, the film remains one of the most successful movies of all time.
