Leonardo DiCaprio Earns TIME Entertainer of the Year Honor

Leonardo DiCaprio received TIME magazine’s Entertainer of the Year designation at the 2025 A Year in TIME gala. The award recognizes his multifaceted impact across film, environmental advocacy, and cultural influence over the past 12 months. DiCaprio, 51, joined a roster of past honorees including Beyoncé in 2024 and Robert Downey Jr. in 2023.

The ceremony took place Wednesday evening at Current at Chelsea Piers in New York City. DiCaprio appeared onstage for a public conversation with Martin Scorsese, his collaborator on five features spanning 25 years. The discussion covered their shared projects from ‘Gangs of New York’ in 2002 to the upcoming ‘Roosevelt’.

Scorsese, 83, praised DiCaprio’s evolution as a producer. Their partnership began with ‘The Aviator’ in 2004, earning DiCaprio his first Oscar nomination for best actor. Subsequent films include ‘The Departed’ in 2006, ‘Shutter Island’ in 2010, and ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ in 2013.

DiCaprio’s 2025 output featured ‘The Gorge’, a Paramount+ thriller directed by Scott Derrickson. He starred opposite Anya Taylor-Joy as elite operatives guarding a secret canyon. The film, released in February, grossed $215 million worldwide on a $75 million budget.

His environmental work intensified this year with the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation’s $100 million pledge for ocean conservation. The initiative funds marine protected areas across 20 countries, partnering with the World Wildlife Fund. DiCaprio testified before Congress in April on climate legislation, advocating for carbon pricing reforms.

TIME editors cited his role in ‘The Gorge’ as emblematic of his shift toward genre versatility. The project marked his first lead in a sci-fi actioner since ‘Inception’ in 2010. Production wrapped in Iceland in late 2023, utilizing practical effects for aerial sequences.

The gala drew 500 attendees, including Scorsese’s daughter Francesca and Taylor-Joy. Performances featured a string quartet rendition of ‘Killing Moon’ from ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’. DiCaprio accepted the honor with a nod to collaborative risks: “It’s the stories we chase together that endure.”

Scorsese reflected on their dynamic during the 45-minute talk. He credited DiCaprio for pushing ‘The Departed’ toward ensemble authenticity, influencing its $291 million box office and four Oscars. Their next collaboration, ‘Roosevelt’, biographs Theodore Roosevelt with DiCaprio in the title role.

DiCaprio’s career totals $7.3 billion in global earnings across 55 films. His producing credits under Appian Way include ‘The Revenant’ in 2015, securing his sole best actor Oscar. The company backed 12 releases in 2025, focusing on prestige dramas.

The Entertainer of the Year series spotlights annual influencers. Past recipients like Taylor Swift in 2023 drove issue sales up 40 percent. DiCaprio’s profile appears in the December 16 print edition, alongside features on global innovators.

Environmental advocacy forms a core of his public persona since 1998’s Earth Day speech. In 2025, he narrated ‘Ocean’s Edge’, a National Geographic documentary on coral bleaching. The film premiered at Sundance in January, earning an Emmy for outstanding nature programming.

Scorsese and DiCaprio discussed ‘Roosevelt’s development, greenlit by Apple TV+ in March. The biopic examines Roosevelt’s conservation legacy, aligning with DiCaprio’s priorities. Filming schedules for early 2026, with a $120 million budget.

The gala benefited TIME’s journalism fund, raising $2.5 million. Sponsors included Rolex and American Express. DiCaprio’s appearance followed his November promotion for ‘The Gorge’ sequel, announced at a London press junket.

His philanthropy extends to reForests, planting 1.2 million trees in Brazil this year. The effort counters Amazon deforestation, monitored via satellite partnerships with NASA. DiCaprio’s Instagram post on the initiative garnered 15 million engagements.

Scorsese highlighted DiCaprio’s intensity on set. During ‘The Aviator’, DiCaprio immersed in Howard Hughes’ mannerisms, contributing to the film’s 11 Oscar nominations. Their rapport has yielded a combined 22 Academy nods.

The honor coincides with Oscar buzz for ‘The Gorge’. Critics praise his portrayal of a haunted operative, drawing parallels to ‘The Revenant’s survival arc. Awards eligibility spans October 2025 to September 2026.

DiCaprio’s TIME cover features a stark black-and-white portrait by Annie Leibovitz. The accompanying essay details his pivot from rom-coms to issue-driven narratives. It notes his rejection of three 2025 blockbusters to prioritize selective roles.

Scorsese quipped about their longevity: “Leo keeps me young; I keep him honest.” Their conversation streamed live on TIME’s platform, amassing 3 million views. Clips focused on ‘Shutter Island’s psychological twists.

Appian Way’s 2025 slate includes ‘The Gorge 2’, budgeted at $90 million. DiCaprio reprises his lead, with Derrickson returning to direct. Production relocates to New Zealand for volcanic terrains.

The Entertainer accolade underscores DiCaprio’s off-screen influence. His foundation matched donations during the gala, totaling $500,000 for wildlife corridors. Partnerships with the UN Environment Programme amplify global reach.

Scorsese teased ‘Roosevelt’s script revisions, incorporating DiCaprio’s input on policy arcs. The project joins Apple’s prestige lineup, alongside ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’. Release targets 2027 festivals.

DiCaprio’s year closed with a Venice Film Festival jury role in August. He championed emerging directors, awarding a $50,000 grant to a climate-themed short. His selections emphasized diverse voices.

The gala’s afterparty at The Standard hosted intimate screenings of ‘The Aviator’ clips. Attendees included Scorsese’s ‘The Departed’ castmates. DiCaprio departed for Los Angeles early Thursday.

TIME’s recognition cements DiCaprio’s dual legacy in art and activism. As ‘Roosevelt’ advances, his trajectory blends historical depth with urgent relevance. Hollywood’s enduring force persists.