He has been nominated for an Oscar three times. Shereen Low finds out whether Leonardo DiCaprio thinks his performance as John Edgar Hoover will finally land him that coveted golden statuette
IF THERE’S one person who knows how Kate Winslet felt before she won an Academy Award, following her sixth nomination, it would be Leonardo DiCaprio.
After all, the 35-year-old who starred with Winslet in Titanic has yet to win one, despite a hat-trick of opportunities.
“I don’t think anyone would say that they wouldn’t want one. I think they would be lying,” says DiCaprio, chuckling.
The heart-throb received his first nomination in 1993 for his break-through role in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, and then later for The Aviator and Blood Diamond.
DiCaprio’s latest performance as John Edgar Hoover, the long-serving first head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in Clint Eastwood’s J. Edgar, is also expected to land him a nomination having seen him shortlisted for a Golden Globe (he lost out on Sunday to George Clooney).
But, ever the professional, the Los Angeles native prefers to bat away any awards talk.
“I have learned from my experiences in this industry that there is absolutely no way to control people’s opinions on your performance in your movie,” he says, leaning back in his chair.
“You go out there, promote your film and hope people like the work you did.
“But they’re gonna respond the way they’re gonna respond when they’re in a room with that ballot.
“I’m thankful people are talking about it in that capacity, but ultimately I truly have no control over it.”
Eastwood’s biopic, which spans the five decades of Hoover’s professional life, also stars Armie Hammer as Hoover’s long-time confidante and associate director of the FBI, Clyde Tolson, and Dame Judi Dench as Hoover’s domineering mother Annie.
The powerful leader, who headed the FBI through eight presidencies and three wars from 1935 until his death in 1972, is portrayed by DiCaprio during his glory years and through some less popular times.
“This was one of the most challenging characters I’d ever seen on the page, and it was terrific to breathe life into this person, because he was such a mystery,” says DiCaprio.
“Hoover was incredibly ambitious as a young man.
“He was highly motivated to succeed in Washington, primarily due to his mother’s expectations of him.”
The actor has only praise for Dame Judi as his screen mum, describing himself as “a fan”.
“She’s a sweetheart, she couldn’t be more lovely.
“But as soon as the cameras start rolling and you hear that voice, it’s powerful,” he recalls, laughing.
“We had a scene where I am freaked out, stuttering, and her voice just froze my spine.
“She has a way of commanding a scene in a room, and it’s just astounding.”
