Jan 14, 2026 at 1:52 am

Leonardo DiCaprio Thanks Mom at NBR Gala, Says He's Waited 25 Years for Movie Like 'One Battle After Another'

Leonardo DiCaprio takes the stage to accept an award at the National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on Tuesday (January 13) in New York City.

The 51-year-old actor was awarded Best Actor for his role in One Battle After Another, and during his speech, thanked his mom and shared how he’s waited over two decades for a movie like that.

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“I waited 25 years … to make a film like this. That is so topical. So pertinent. About extremism, about divisiveness. That says something about the world we live in. It was an absolute honor and a joyous experience,” he said, via Deadline.

Thanking his mother, Irmelin Indenbirkin, Leo shared, “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 theaters … This moment only exists because of you.”

Also in attendance and receiving awards included Paul Thomas Anderson (Best Director), Rose Byrne (Best Actress), Benicio Del Toro (Best Supporting Actor), Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (Best Supporting Actress), Chase Infiniti (Breakthrough Performance), Eva Victor (Best Directorial Debut) and Ryan Coogler (Best Original Screenplay), with wife Zinzi.

Others stars attending the event include Joel Edgerton, Michael B Jordan, Cary Elwes, Amy Ryan, Jay Duplass, Martin Scorsese, Willie Geist, Stellan Skarsgard, Miles Caton, Wunmi Mosaku, Ann Dowd, Emily Blunt, Peter Sarsgaard and Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mary Bronstein, Louisa Jacobson, Delroy Lindo and Paul Rudd.