New Files Reveal Jeffrey Epstein’s Connection to Leonardo DiCaprio’s Sponsorship Requests

Leonardo DiCaprio on January 13, 2026; Jeffrey Epstein in 2004.
Credit:

Udo Salters/Patrick McMullan via Getty; Rick Friedman/Rick Friedman Photography/Corbis via Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Leonardo DiCaprio’s name appears in a recently released batch of files from the Department of Justice’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
• An email from Peter Mandelson, former British Ambassador to the United States, inquired about potential sponsorship opportunities for DiCaprio.
• “[Can] you think of anyone in India, China, Japan, etc., that might want the endorsement of Leonardo DiCaprio? Russia etc., cars etc.,” Mandelson wrote in 2009.

Leonardo DiCaprio’s name has surfaced in one of the millions of files made public as part of the Department of Justice’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. On January 30, 2026, the DOJ released over 3 million new documents related to the criminal inquiries into Epstein, who was arrested in July 2019 and charged with sex trafficking of minors.

One email sent to Epstein by Peter Mandelson, former British ambassador to the United States and a UK Member of Parliament, sought to determine if there were any non-U.S. companies interested in celebrity endorsements.

“[Can] you think of anyone in India, China, Japan, etc., that might want the endorsement of Leonardo DiCaprio? Russia etc., cars etc.,” Mandelson asked Epstein on June 12, 2009, explaining DiCaprio was looking to endorse non-U.S. products to generate income.

At the time, Mandelson was part of former U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s cabinet as Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, President of the Board of Trade, and First Secretary of State. A representative for DiCaprio was approached for comment regarding the recent disclosures.

Leonardo DiCaprio at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards on Jan. 11.

Jesse Grant/2026GG/Penske Media via Getty

DiCaprio’s name has been mentioned in connection to the DOJ’s investigations previously, primarily as part of Epstein’s “name dropping” of various celebrities.

According to The Guardian, Johanna Sjoberg, an accuser of Epstein, stated in a deposition released in 2024 that Epstein often claimed to have connections with A-list celebrities.

A lawyer asked Sjoberg, “I saw one press report that said you had met Cate Blanchett or Leonardo DiCaprio?”

She responded, “I did not meet them, no. When I spoke about them, it was when I was massaging him [Epstein], and he would get off — he would be on the phone a lot at that time, and one time he said, ‘Oh, that was Leonardo,’ or ‘That was Cate Blanchett, or Bruce Willis.’ That kind of thing.”

A representative for DiCaprio denied to The Guardian that he ever had a phone call with Epstein, while a representative for Blanchett denied any meetings or phone contact with the financier.

Jeffrey Epstein in 2005.

Neil Rasmus/Patrick McMullan via Getty

While numerous celebrities have been named in connection with Epstein, none have been accused of aiding him in any capacity.

Peter Mandelson, who was dismissed from his ambassador role due to ties to Epstein in September 2025, was found to have received three separate payments of $25,000 from Epstein’s JPMorgan accounts, according to the DOJ’s recent release.

“I have no record and no recollection of receiving these sums and do not know if the documents are authentic,” Mandelson stated, adding that he regretted maintaining his association with Epstein. “I deeply regret doing so and apologize unequivocally to the women and girls who suffered.”

Epstein was accused of sexual abuse by numerous women before his death, which was ruled an apparent suicide in August 2019 while he awaited trial on federal charges. He had been under investigation by the Palm Beach Police Department for several years prior to a 2005 investigation uncovering further crimes against minors. In 2008, he pleaded guilty to charges of soliciting prostitution, including from a minor, leading to his status as a registered sex offender.

Following years of controversy surrounding sealed documents related to Epstein’s case, Congress passed a bill in November 2025 mandating the release of government files.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.