The love story of Jack and Rose from the iconic film “Titanic” will go down in history as one of the most passionate yet tragic fictional romances of all time.

Although that story sadly ended as the film credits rolled in 1997, the relationship between the actors who brought the characters to life has continued to live on. Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio famously played lovers for James Cameron’s “Titanic,” and have remained incredibly close friends ever since.

Winslet and DiCaprio are both internationally known film stars and icons. Both have won numerous awards for their acting: Golden Globes, Academy Awards and many more. Winslet is most famously known for her work in independent films and period dramas, portraying strong, stubborn characters. She has gone on to receive plenty of prestigious awards throughout her career, cementing herself as a stand-out actress. Some of her most famous films include “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” “Finding Neverland,” and “The Reader.”

DiCaprio, on the other hand, took a while to receive his first-ever Oscar for “The Revenant,” but has proved time and again that he is a well-accomplished and talented actor. Some of his most notable films include “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” “Inception,” “The Wolf of Wall Street,” and “Shutter Island.”

Throughout their years of friendship, Winslet and DiCaprio have continued to explain just how much they appreciate each other and enjoy any time they are able to spend together. The pair never spare a chance to praise one another and seem like the type of friends that genuinely support each other. Keep reading to learn more about Winslet and DiCaprio’s timeless friendship.

Kate Winslet, Leonardo DiCaprio (1997), (20th Century-Fox/Getty Images)

Winslet and Dicaprio met in 1996 when they were still young actors breaking through into the industry.

“I actually first met (DiCaprio) at (the) Cannes film festival. He was there and I was there, and we had already heard that both of us had auditioned for ‘Titanic’ and met Jim Cameron. I was so excited because the possibility of working was there,” Winslet told Magnus Sundholm. “I met him in the hotel room with David Blaine and they were both doing magic tricks. I look back on that time and I think, my gosh it does seem so long ago. That’s one of my greatest friendships and I’m so lucky to have him. He makes me laugh so much.”

Hello! magazine meanwhile cited Dicaprio as stating that he felt a deep connection to Winslet because of their shared experience growing up in the film industry:

“In a lot of ways, Kate and I have really grown up in this industry together; we’ve been a support mechanism for each other for such a long period of time. We’ve been there for each other and helped guide each other.”

After being friends for more than two decades, it’s safe to say that Winslet and DiCaprio have a beautiful, unbreakable bond and will hopefully be able to be in each other’s lives for as long as possible. According to TODAY, Winslet and DiCaprio first formed a beautiful friendship on the set of “Titanic,” which was the highest-grossing movie of all time prior to the release of another Cameron film, “Avatar.”

Kate Winslet, Leonardo DiCaprio (2007), (Alexandra Wyman/WireImage/Getty Images)
The pair shared some wonderful memories together during their time filming “Titanic.” “I turned 21 on that shoot, and Leo turned 22,” Winslet told The Guardian. However, DiCaprio was miserable during parts of the intensive production the film went through. Winslet explained, “I remember! I remember that he was! It wasn’t pleasant for any of us, but we were all in it together. Though he had way more days off than I ever bloody did.”

She added, “I guess I was raised to be grateful and just get on with it. I didn’t feel it was my right to be miserable, and if I was miserable I certainly would not have let a journalist know. There is no way I would have let that slip!”

Because of their undeniable chemistry in “Titanic,” fans and the media alike have always speculated on whether the duo was something of an item. Both actors have, however, categorically denied the rumors time and time again.

“I think the reason that friendship works is because there was never any romantic thing,” Winslet told Marie Claire in 2014, as cited by E Online.

However, even though romance was not part of the relationship the two formed with each other, they very much experienced a closeness and companionship that only good friends can have.

Winslet and Dicaprio played romantic interests again in the film “Revolutionary Road.”

Winslet went on to win a Golden Globe for her performance in the film. Winslet said upon receiving the award, “Leo, I’m so happy I can stand here and tell you how much I love you and how much I’ve loved you for 13 years, and your performance in this film is nothing short of spectacular. I love you with all my heart, I really do.”

Are you a fan of Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio? What do you think of their friendship? Let us know and be sure to send this along to your friends and family.