Leonardo DiCaprio Skips 2026 Actor Awards Despite Best Actor Nomination

The acclaimed actor is currently filming a new movie in Europe with Jennifer Lawrence.

Published on Mar. 3, 2026

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Leonardo DiCaprio will not be attending the 2026 Actor Awards ceremony on March 1st, despite being nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role. The actor is currently in Europe filming the upcoming Martin Scorsese psychological horror film 'What Happens at Night' alongside Jennifer Lawrence. DiCaprio has already won several awards this season for his role in the action thriller 'One Battle After Another', including the Best Actor trophy at the 2026 National Board of Review Awards Gala.

Why it matters

DiCaprio's absence from the Actor Awards highlights the busy schedule of top Hollywood stars, who often have to balance awards season obligations with ongoing film productions. While DiCaprio is nominated for his acclaimed performance, his commitment to his current project takes precedence over attending the ceremony in person.

The details

DiCaprio and Lawrence are playing a married American couple who travel to a small European town to adopt a baby in the new Scorsese film 'What Happens at Night'. The movie is adapted from the novel of the same name by Peter Cameron. Despite his nomination, DiCaprio has already won several major awards this season for his role in 'One Battle After Another', including the Best Actor trophy at the National Board of Review Awards.

  • DiCaprio is currently on set filming 'What Happens at Night' in Europe.
  • The 2026 Actor Awards ceremony is scheduled for March 1, 2026.

The players

Leonardo DiCaprio

A renowned American actor who is nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role at the 2026 Actor Awards for his role in 'One Battle After Another'.

Jennifer Lawrence

An acclaimed American actress who is co-starring with DiCaprio in the new Martin Scorsese film 'What Happens at Night'.

Martin Scorsese

A legendary American filmmaker who is directing the psychological horror film 'What Happens at Night' starring DiCaprio and Lawrence.

Paul Thomas Anderson

The director of the action thriller 'One Battle After Another', for which DiCaprio has received numerous awards this season.

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What they’re saying

“My father took me to see my first film in a theater when I was four years old. I remember gazing up at that massive screen completely in awe, hysterically crying at the end of 'King Kong.' Something shifted in me. Film became an escape from the limits of my surroundings…a place where something larger than my own life felt possible.”

— Leonardo DiCaprio (National Board of Review Awards Gala)

“When these opportunities come up, I mean, I can't say no. I think anytime would've been the right time, to be honest. Ever since I met Paul early on and I saw 'Boogie Nights,' I've been an obsessive fan of his work, watched all his movies.”

— Leonardo DiCaprio (Esquire)

What’s next

With the Oscars coming up on March 15, 'One Battle After Another' is high in the running with 13 nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor for DiCaprio.

The takeaway

DiCaprio's absence from the Actor Awards despite his nomination highlights the challenges top actors face in balancing awards season obligations with ongoing film productions. However, his continued success and accolades for 'One Battle After Another' demonstrate his enduring talent and commitment to his craft.