Kate Winslet on “Lee”: 60 Minutes Reveals a Passion Project Seven Years in the Making

Kate Winslet’s path to global fame wasn’t forged by design. At 16, she was working at a deli in her hometown of Reading, England, when she received the life-changing news that she’d been cast in her first film, Heavenly Creatures. Though she went on to star in Titanic and became one of the most recognized names in Hollywood, her story is one of grit, self-doubt, and quiet rebellion against industry expectations. Her recent 60 Minutes interview paints a portrait of an actor who never fit the mold — and never tried to.

Raised in a working-class family, Winslet learned early that success was fleeting. Her father, an actor, often bounced between jobs, instilling in her a deep appreciation for hard work and humility. That upbringing helped form a resilience that would carry her through the harsh scrutiny of the spotlight. Winslet’s early experiences — including being told as a teenager that she’d only be fit for “fat girl parts” — lit a fire that continues to fuel her decades-long career.

• 60 Minutes Interviews “Timothée Chalamet”, “Jamie Lee Curtis” & “Kate Winslet” January 25 2026
• Timothée Chalamet Becomes Bob Dylan: Inside His 60 Minutes Journey and the Making of A Complete Unknown
• Jamie Lee Curtis: 60 Minutes on Addiction, Motherhood, and True Lies

Finding Her Power in Lee

In her latest film, Lee, Winslet steps into the shoes of Lee Miller, a fashion model turned WWII combat photographer — one of the few women to document the horrors of war from the front lines. But Winslet didn’t just play Miller; she produced the film and spent seven years fighting to bring the story to life.

The journey to get Lee made wasn’t smooth. Winslet faced skepticism from investors who questioned whether audiences would connect with a complex, flawed woman in her late 30s. One producer even dismissed Miller as unlikable, calling her drunk and loud — coded language that reflected lingering sexism in the industry. Winslet turned down offers from male directors who promised to “help” if she joined their projects in return. Instead, she assembled a team of female creatives to ensure Miller’s story was told on its own terms.

Winslet’s passion for accuracy extended to every detail. She commissioned a historically correct replica of Miller’s camera and learned how to use it proficiently. Even while acting, she took real photos on set to deepen her connection to the role. For Winslet, authenticity wasn’t optional — it was essential.

Reclaiming the Narrative on Aging and Appearance

Winslet has long been a target of media cruelty. After Titanic, she was hounded by paparazzi and criticized publicly for her weight. Her 60 Minutes interview revisited some of the most appalling moments, including televised mockery of her body during awards shows. Rather than shrink under the pressure, Winslet confronted her critics directly — not just for herself, but for every woman subjected to the same humiliation.

That boldness has become a hallmark of her later career. In Lee, Winslet insisted on no makeup and refused to conceal her wrinkles. When a crew member once suggested she sit differently to hide a “lump,” she refused, explaining that the character’s ease with her body was hard-earned — and that authenticity mattered more than vanity.

In Hollywood, this refusal to hide has been called brave. Winslet disagrees. “It’s not brave,” she told 60 Minutes. “It’s playing the part.” Her defiance is quiet but resolute — a rejection of the idea that women should age invisibly or apologetically.

A Career Defined by Craft, Not Image

Winslet’s method is as meticulous as it is personal. For each role, she invents elaborate character backstories, including things never shown on screen — like their childhood hobbies or feelings about their parents. She’s trained in free-diving, dressmaking, and even fossil hunting to better understand her characters. Her attention to detail won her an Emmy for Mare of Easttown, where she nailed the hyper-specific Delco accent of suburban Philadelphia.

She also took the industry by surprise with her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once, where she was nearly unrecognizable. That role, and the Oscar that came with it, was a career milestone, but Winslet keeps her statuette in the bathroom — a reminder not to take herself too seriously. Even with a resume that rivals the greats, she still approaches her work with humility, anxiety, and a drive to prove herself, as she admitted candidly on 60 Minutes.

Hollywood on Her Terms

Today, Winslet is 49 and busier than ever. She runs her own production company, Comet Pictures, which is developing a Nicole Kidman-led series and a feature film about the 2018 Paradise wildfires. She’s written best-selling children’s books, raised millions through her charity My Hand in Yours, and remains unapologetically off social media.

She lives far from Hollywood in a seaside village with her husband and youngest son, carving out a life defined by intention rather than image. Her refusal to engage with online commentary or reviews is not about avoidance — it’s about protecting the space she needs to do the work that matters most.

Lee has now grossed over $25 million — a success by any measure, especially for a film centered on a historical female figure. For Winslet, the numbers aren’t about vindication. She simply hopes the skeptics saw the film.

In her interview with 60 Minutes, she reflected on that quiet determination that’s guided her since childhood. When someone told her she’d never lead because of her body, she didn’t argue. She got to work. Decades later, she’s still doing it — not chasing the spotlight, but lighting a path for others to follow.