Globes Flashback '98: Leo & Kate's Titanic Hit

In 1997, Titanic took the world by storm, jamming theaters full of moviegoers eager to watch the fictionalized version of a true tragic love story. While the film was continuing to sweep the box office, it raked in awards nominations including plenty for the actors who portrayed the film's central couple: Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.

The two actors, both in their early 20s when Titanic hit theaters, had previously received critical acclaim, including a Golden Globe nomination, for their prior work but neither had experienced the mayhem of a blockbuster like Titanic, which would earn them Globes nominations and go on to harvest a then-record $2.2 billion worldwide.

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"We expected it to be something," DiCaprio says to ET's Bob Goen about his anticipation for the film before its release. "I had no idea it would be to this magnitude. I mean, it's truly overwhelming. We put a lot of work into it, though, so both of us are really proud of it. It's an unbelievable achievement for, I think, everyone involved."

The film itself, loosely based on the true story of the RMS Titanic sinking in the frigid Atlantic Ocean that led to more than 1,500 deaths in 1912, was nominated for high accolades as well, including the Best Motion Picture Award and Best Director award for James Cameron.

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"It's very overwhelming. The response to 'Titanic' is really extraordinary," Winslet says, to which DiCaprio adds, "I think we have a level head about it. I think we all keep it in perspective."

As the two speak about the film, a flock of star-struck fans shout out DiCaprio's name, beckoning him for some acknowledgement. After some encouragement from the others on ET's platform, the then-23-year-old actor tilts his head to get a view of the crowd and waves them into a frenzy.

The two would only receive nominations for their Titanic roles but the film nevertheless swept up the awards shows, which began when it won the Best Motion Picture and Best Director amongst other awards that night at the Globes.

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While Winslet did not have a film eligible for the upcoming 2013 Golden Globes, DiCaprio recently received his eighth Globes nomination for Django Unchained and may bring home a companion for his sole Golden Globe (The Aviator) this year.