Leonardo DiCaprio honored his mother, Irmelin Indenbirkin, as he accepted the Best Actor Award for One Battle After Another at the National Board of Review ceremony in New York City. His heartfelt remarks recognized her unwavering support throughout his journey in acting.
As he concluded his speech, DiCaprio expressed gratitude to his mother, who was present in the audience, saying,
She believed in me long before there was absolutely any reason to. Driving me to auditions every single day after school. Supporting the dream that started in the movie theaters… This moment only exists because of you. Thank you.
– Leonardo DiCaprio
Family Influences That Shaped DiCaprio’s Career
Before acknowledging his mother, Leonardo reflected on the role his father, George DiCaprio, played in inspiring his passion for film. He recalled a pivotal childhood experience when George took him to the Vista Theater in Los Angeles to watch the original 1933 King Kong.
DiCaprio described that moment vividly:
I remember gazing up at that massive screen completely in awe… As I kept on watching, something shifted in me. Film became an escape from the limits of my surroundings. It wasn’t just entertainment, it was a place to escape my neighborhood. A place where something larger than my own life seemed possible. I would walk out of that theater absolutely buzzing, knowing there was something beyond this world that I was born into, that I had to find a way to be part of it.
– Leonardo DiCaprio
Early Inspirations and Childhood Memories
This vivid childhood memory highlights how cinema sparked DiCaprio’s determination to pursue acting, providing a hopeful pathway beyond his early environment. His recognition of both parents’ roles reveals the deep personal foundation behind his professional achievements.
DiCaprio’s award acceptance not only celebrated his current success but also connected it to the enduring encouragement and belief from his family, underscoring the significant impact of personal support in shaping careers in the arts.
Leonardo DiCaprio thanks his mother in movingly personal speech at the National Board of Review gala. “She believed in me way before there was any reason too,” he said accepting Best Actor Award for One Battle After Another pic.twitter.com/TPT9j10NqP
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) January 14, 2026
