Actor Leonardo DiCaprio believes that staying out of the spotlight is one of the most effective ways to maintain a lasting career, helping audiences avoid becoming tired of seeing him everywhere.

On December 8, TIME named DiCaprio its Entertainer of the Year, recognizing his striking return to the big screen in One Battle After Another**, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. In the accompanying interview, the actor reflected on more than three decades in the industry and shared his philosophy on how to preserve long-term appeal.

DiCaprio entered show business at a young age, landing his first role at 12. He rose to global fame in 1997 as Jack in Titanic** and later won his first Academy Award for Best Actor in The Revenant** in 2016.

Now 51, DiCaprio continues to draw attention whenever he appears—whether at public events, in the media, or in everyday life. Despite decades of fame, he admits he has never fully mastered the balance between maintaining privacy and being a public figure. Speaking with TIME, he said it is a challenge he has grappled with throughout adulthood. “I live by a simple philosophy: only show up when I have something to say or share,” DiCaprio explained. “Otherwise, disappear for as long as possible.”

He also revealed that the massive success of Titanic granted him freedom but came with overwhelming scrutiny. At the time, he feared the public might quickly grow tired of him, prompting him to consciously step back. “Because I love what I do, I feel the best way to extend my career is to avoid being seen too often,” he said.

In recent years, DiCaprio has largely stayed out of the public eye, rarely discussing his private life. His most recent appearance was reportedly at a football game in Kansas on December 7, where he watched Travis Kelce—the fiancé of Taylor Swift—compete. Days earlier, he attended a private gathering linked to Art Basel in Miami. At both events, DiCaprio opted for dark clothing and a baseball cap, a familiar look he favors when going out.

In his personal life, DiCaprio is currently dating Italian supermodel Vittoria Ceretti, 27. The couple has been together since 2023 and frequently travels together, though DiCaprio has never walked a red carpet with her or spoken publicly about the relationship.

According to People, Ceretti is also highly private. She first alluded to her relationship with DiCaprio in a March interview with Vogue France, without naming him. The magazine likewise avoided mentioning DiCaprio by name, referring only to “a very, very famous actor.”

Beyond acting, DiCaprio is widely respected for his environmental advocacy, having spent years supporting causes related to wildlife conservation and climate change. With films that have grossed more than $7.2 billion worldwide, he remains one of Hollywood’s most influential stars—proving, by his own philosophy, that sometimes disappearing is the key to enduring success.