Leonardo DiCaprio has secured his sixth nomination for Best Lead Actor at this year's Academy Awards for his portrayal of Bob Ferguson, a struggling single father and revolutionary, in the American film "One Battle After Another." This nomination marks a significant achievement in DiCaprio’s career, coming a decade after his previous Best Actor win for "The Revenant." The milestone places him in an exclusive cohort, matching only a handful of actors — such as Daniel Day-Lewis — who have achieved six lead acting nominations. Including his earlier supporting actor nomination for "What’s Eating Gilbert Grape," DiCaprio now stands among only eight actors, male or female, to have reached six or more acting nods. In total, his name now appears for eight Oscar nominations, which also encompasses a Best Picture credit for "The Wolf of Wall Street."
In a phone interview, DiCaprio discussed how the accolades, while meaningful, were secondary to his passion for participating in films that endure over time. He expressed a deep appreciation for his craft and a desire to be involved in memorable storytelling.
DiCaprio’s role as Bob Ferguson represents a pinnacle in his already distinguished filmography. The character’s complexity allowed him to display a vast range of emotions, blending humor, vulnerability, authenticity, and intensity. Scenes conveying Ferguson’s frustration and protective instincts — whether he is struggling to recall a simple passcode, reprimanding his daughter’s friend, or exchanging silent yet charged glances with the antagonist Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw, played by Sean Penn — demonstrate DiCaprio's nuanced performance.
Rarely do Oscar-nominated roles evolve into cultural symbols, but this Halloween, many people nationwide embraced Bob Ferguson’s signature look, including his plaid bathrobe, dark beanie, and distinctive glasses, underscoring the character’s resonance with the public.
Reflecting on the film’s journey, DiCaprio highlighted the long period — over twenty years — that director Paul Thomas Anderson envisioned the story. He also noted the film’s topical nature and the honor of working alongside industry titans he admires. DiCaprio called the film a work of art he is proud to represent and spoke with enthusiasm about the ease with which the project can be discussed and promoted.
He hopes "One Battle After Another" will continue to invite repeated viewings, allowing audiences to uncover new meanings and perspectives regarding its characters and their motivations. The film earned 13 Academy Award nominations altogether, second only to the leading film "Sinners." Among its nominations are distinctions for Best Picture, Best Director, and Supporting Actor nods for Benicio Del Toro and Sean Penn.
One of the more surprising omissions in the nominations was the absence of his co-star Chase Infiniti, who played Willa, Ferguson’s daughter. Infiniti’s performance was pivotal, carrying significant emotional weight in the movie despite this being her first film. DiCaprio commended her positive attitude regarding the lack of a lead actress nomination and underscored her fundamental contribution to the film’s success, calling her the “heart and soul” of the story.
The announcement of nominations marked a strong day for Warner Bros., the studio behind both "One Battle After Another" and "Sinners." The studio's future remains uncertain amidst industry speculation, particularly regarding whether films like these would be produced by streaming platforms such as Netflix or whether talents like Anderson and DiCaprio would continue their collaborations. DiCaprio refrained from commenting directly on any proposed acquisition but emphasized his support for original filmmaking and the distinctive experience of watching films in theaters.
He pointed to the immersive nature of theatrical viewing, a space where distractions vanish and viewers can become part of something larger, describing this as the magic of movies. DiCaprio expressed hope that the cinematic experience will endure, contingent on audience support and appreciation for the art form.
While DiCaprio is occasionally featured in internet memes—such as images from "Inception" or conversations at the Golden Globes—he is known for reserving his full expression primarily for his roles in great films and collaborations with celebrated directors like Paul Thomas Anderson, Martin Scorsese, and Christopher Nolan. He described the experience of watching a film projected oversized in a theater as captivating, with the outside world momentarily fading away.