Leonardo DiCaprio, celebrated for his roles in Titanic and The Wolf of Wall Street, opened up about reaching the milestone of 50 and how it has influenced his approach to life and relationships.
In an interview with filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson for Esquire UK, DiCaprio shared insights into how turning 50 made him rethink how he spends his time and the way he approaches his personal and professional connections.
When Anderson asked him to quickly answer how old he felt, DiCaprio confidently replied, “Thirty-two,” revealing that he doesn't feel much older than his younger self despite the years.
His perspective on age, he said, isn't a reflection of any physical changes but rather a mentality. He feels as though he’s still in the prime of his youth, unburdened by age.
Reflecting on his 50th birthday, DiCaprio explained that it prompted him to focus on being more honest and direct. “Well, it creates a feeling like you have a desire to just be more honest and not waste your time," he shared. “You have to just be much more upfront. It’s almost a responsibility because much more of your life is behind you than it is ahead of you.”
He expanded on the importance of being straightforward, especially when it comes to relationships, both personal and professional. "You just don’t want to waste your time any more," he added. "It’s that you just don’t want to waste your time any more."
The actor, known for his careful selection of roles, discussed how he manages to stay balanced after long filming periods. He credited taking ample breaks between projects, which helps him return to his personal life refreshed. “I do things more sparingly, which means you’re anxious to get back to your real life once you’ve finished filming," he said. "Life goes on hold when you’re filming."
In the interview, DiCaprio also revealed a surprising regret: not taking part in Paul Thomas Anderson's Boogie Nights. He expressed, “That’s my biggest regret. I missed out on that one.”
DiCaprio also reflected on his past work, noting that The Aviator is one of the few films he’s revisited. “I rarely watch any of my films, but if I’m being honest there is one that I’ve watched more than others," he admitted. "It’s The Aviator. That’s simply because it was such a special moment to me."
The film marked a significant point in DiCaprio’s career when he felt deeply connected to the production, especially in collaboration with director Martin Scorsese. “It was the first time as an actor I got to feel implicitly part of the production, rather than just an actor hired to play a role," DiCaprio recalled. "I felt responsible in a whole new way."
For DiCaprio, The Aviator remains an important chapter in his career, representing a pivotal moment in his growth in the film industry. The full interview will be featured in Esquire UK's autumn issue.