Back in 1997, the world of cinema changed forever, in more ways than one. Hot success of 1994 True lies and him Terminators franchise that captured pop culture in the late 20th century, director James Cameron’s take on the epic romance story Titanic in 1997, breaking box office records in the process. Although this billion-dollar success was due not only to Cameron’s cinematic prowess, but also to the magnetic charm of lead stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, who sold out tickets.
Both actors made successful starts in the industry in the early 1990s, and the pair of actors once followed a similar career trajectory. Titanic came to their senses, and both became one of the most fashionable and talented stars in the world. In the 1997 film, they play Jack and Rose respectively, and the film tells the story of an up-and-coming artist who begins an unlikely romance with a young aristocrat.
The film was eventually nominated for a staggering fourteen Oscars, tied with Damien Chazelle’s film for the record. La La Land and Joseph L. Mankiewicz All about Eve as the most nominated film in Oscar history. The trophies included wins for Best Picture and Best Director, and Winslet earned a nomination for Best Actor, despite DiCaprio’s unlucky performance in the category.
Despite this, Winslet and DiCaprio became friends on the set of the film, and many even believed that the couple began an affair during filming. This has since been denied, even though Winslet admitted during a 1998 interview with Access to Hollywood that she thinks her co-star is amazing: “I thought in advance that it would be hard because, you know, what if I really like him?” She said. “And I thought so, because he’s just great.”
She spoke about her pleasant memories of filming in an interview with the publication Entertainment Weekly, stating, “I remember so much like it was yesterday… I walked away with one of the greatest friends of my life in my back pocket – Leo. I think we know each other in a very unique way because of the experiences we both had in this movie and the need to take care of each other.”
Supporting each other in their every triumph, DiCaprio was there to celebrate Winslet’s Oscar win in 2009 for her performance in the Stephen Daldry film. Reader, and the British star responded in kind in 2016 when Titanic The starlet finally won an Academy Award for his role in Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s film. Revenant.
While accepting the Golden Globe award for her role in Daldry’s film, Winslet thanked DiCaprio in her acceptance speech, saying, “Leo, I’m so happy that I can stand here and tell you how much I love you and how much I’ve loved you.” you’re already 13 years old… I love you with all my heart, I really do.”
This friendship was proven in 2012 when Winslet invited DiCaprio to play one of life’s most cherished and beautiful moments, walking her down the aisle when she married her husband Edward Abel Smith in 2012. It seems that the fictional relationship between Rose and Jack in 2012 Titanic hit the screen in 1997 and helped blossom an everlasting friendship between the acting duo.
