The Titanic cast features a remarkable lineup of Oscar-winning talent and seasoned actors, all of whom contribute to the film’s immense success. Directed by James Cameron, this period romantic drama dramatizes the tragic sinking of the Titanic in 1912 while also highlighting themes of class disparity and capitalistic greed, alongside the poignant love story between Rose and Jack. The film’s iconic leading characters propelled both Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio into stardom, allowing them to star in many more acclaimed films in subsequent years.
In addition to the stellar performances from the leads, the ensemble cast comprises distinguished actors who deliver memorable portrayals, even in brief appearances. With its incredible box-office success, Titanic became a career milestone for its entire cast. Once the highest-grossing film of all time until 2010, its legacy continues to thrive, significantly due to numerous re-releases. Below, we explore the Titanic cast in detail, including their roles and additional works.
Kate Winslet as Rose DeWitt Bukater
Birthdate: October 5, 1975
Character: Rose, a spirited 17-year-old from Philadelphia, finds herself in a stifling engagement to a wealthy aristocrat to ensure her family’s social standing after her father’s death. Yearning for freedom and adventure, her artistic aspirations lead her to Jack, a penniless artist. This character is partially inspired by the real-life artist Beatrice Wood.
| Movie / TV Show | Character |
|---|---|
| Sense and Sensibility (1995) | Marianne Dashwood |
| Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) | Clementine Kruczynski |
| Little Children (2006) | Sarah Pierce |
| The Reader (2008) | Hanna Schmitz |
| Mare of Easttown (2021) | Mare Sheehan |
Actor: Kate Winslet received an Academy Award nomination for her role in Titanic and has garnered a total of seven Oscar nods, winning for her performance in The Reader. Along with recognition for her film work, Winslet has also excelled on television, winning Emmys for roles in Mildred Pierce and Mare of Easttown.
Leonardo DiCaprio as Jack Dawson
Birthdate: November 11, 1974
Character: Jack Dawson, portrayed by DiCaprio, is a free-spirited orphan from Wisconsin who, despite his financial struggles, expresses creativity through his art. His romance with Rose showcases the contrasting worlds they inhabit, complicating their love story in the face of societal expectations.
| Movie / TV Show | Character |
|---|---|
| The Aviator (2004) | Howard Hughes |
| The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) | Jordan Belfort |
| The Revenant (2015) | Hugh Glass |
| Inception (2010) | Dom Cobb |
| Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) | Rick Dalton |
Actor: DiCaprio commenced his career as a child actor, achieving recognition in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. His role in Titanic skyrocketed his fame, leading to a string of acclaimed performances. He holds seven Oscar nominations, winning for The Revenant, with further nominations for The Aviator, Blood Diamond, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Billy Zane as Caledon Hockley
Birthdate: February 24, 1966
Character: Caledon “Cal”Hockley, a wealthy socialite, is fixated on marrying Rose, whose disinterest he dismisses. Displaying possessive and elitist traits, Cal’s character embodies the antagonism faced by Jack and Rose. Matthew McConaughey was originally considered for this role.
| Movie / TV Show | Character |
|---|---|
| Dead Calm (1989) | Hughie Warriner |
| Tombstone (1993) | Mr. Fabian |
| Tales from the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight (1995) | The Collector |
| Twin Peaks (1990) | John Wheeler |
| The Phantom (1996) | Kit Walker / The Phantom |
Actor: Billy Zane rose to prominence with his intense portrayal of Hughie Warriner in Dead Calm. His career has included numerous villainous roles, including Cal in Titanic. Zane has also appeared in the Back to the Future series and as the title character in The Phantom.
Frances Fisher as Ruth DeWitt Bukater
Birthdate: May 11, 1952
Character: Ruth is a strict widow focused on securing a prosperous future for her daughter Rose by marrying her off to Cal. Elitist and condescending, she often dismisses those of lower income, particularly Jack, illustrating her complicated moral standing and personal conflicts.
| Movie / TV Show | Character |
|---|---|
| Unforgiven (1992) | Strawberry Alice |
| Jolene (2008) | Cindy |
| The Lincoln Lawyer (2011) | Mary Windsor |
| The Host (2013) | Maggie |
| Watchmen (2019) | Jane Crawford |
Actor: Frances Fisher gained recognition as Suzette Saxon on the soap Guiding Light. She is well-known for her roles in Unforgiven and Watchmen, and brings depth to her role as Ruth in Titanic.
Kathy Bates as Margaret “Molly”Brown
Birthdate: June 28, 1948
Character: Known for her warmth, Margaret “Molly”Brown is often referred to as “the Unsinkable Molly Brown.”Although she hails from money made recently, she treats everyone with respect, even extending kindness to Jack, a stark contrast to the upper-class attitudes of others on board.
| Movie / TV Show | Character |
|---|---|
| Misery (1990) | Annie Wilkes |
| Dolores Claiborne (1995) | Dolores Claiborne |
| About Schmidt (2002) | Roberta Hertzel |
| American Horror Story: Coven (2013-2014) | Delphine LaLaurie |
| Matlock (2024-) | Matty Matlock |
Actor: Kathy Bates, an award-winning actress, is famous for her role as Annie Wilkes in Misery and has received multiple Oscar nominations including for Primary Colors and About Schmidt. Bates currently leads the rebooted Matlock series.
Victor Garber as Thomas Andrews
Birthdate: March 16, 1949
Character: Thomas Andrews, the ship’s designer, is portrayed as a humble genius acutely aware of the Titanic’s limits, yet his warnings go unheeded by upper management. He is depicted as empathetic, especially in his dealings with Rose, highlighting his compassionate personality amidst the impending tragedy.
| Movie / TV Show | Character |
|---|---|
| Legally Blonde (2001) | Professor Callahan |
| Alias (2001-2006) | Jack Bristow |
| Eli Stone (2008-2009) | Jordan Wethersby |
| Power (2014-2020) | Simon Stern |
| Legends of Tomorrow (2016-2017, 2021) | Martin Stein / Firestorm |
Actor: Played by the talented Victor Garber, known for his six Tony nominations and roles in Alias and Legends of Tomorrow. He has impressive film credentials with appearances in Argo and Dark Waters.
Gloria Stuart as Rose Dawson Calvert
Birthdate: July 4, 1910
Character: Serving as the narrator, the elder Rose reflects on her past filled with romance and tragedy, sharing critical insights about the sinking. Her character bridges present and past, lending depth to the film’s emotional narrative.
| Movie / TV Show | Character |
|---|---|
| The Old Dark House (1932) | Margaret Waverton |
| The Invisible Man (1933) | Flora Cranley |
| Poor Little Rich Girl (1936) | Margaret Allen |
| The Three Musketeers (1939) | Queen Anne |
| Wildcats (1986) | Mrs. Connoly |
Actor: An experienced actress, Gloria Stuart appeared in numerous films during Hollywood’s golden age. Titanic reignited her career and earned her a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination, showcasing her lasting talent.
Titanic Supporting Cast & Characters
The Rest of the Cast
Bill Paxton as Brock Lovett: The treasure hunter intrigued by Titanic’s wreckage, played by Paxton, is well-known for roles in Apollo 13 and Aliens.
Danny Nucci as Fabrizio: Jack showcases his adventure spirit alongside his Italian best friend, Fabrizio, portrayed by Nucci, who has appeared in films like Eraser and Crimson Tide.
David Warner as Spicer Lovejoy: Cal’s suspicious valet is played by Warner, who boasts a diverse filmography, including roles in Tron and The Omen.
Bernard Hill as Captain Edward John Smith: Hill portrays the real-life captain of the ill-fated ship, known for his role in The Lord of the Rings series.
Titanic maintains an impressive 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Jonathan Hyde as J. Bruce Ismay: The negligent managing director behind Titanic’s tragic voyage, Hyde’s notable roles include Cadbury in Richie Rich.
Suzy Amis as Lizzy Calvert: Rose’s granddaughter who enthusiastically listens to her recount her memories, Amis has also appeared in Twister.
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