Jared Leto Mimics Historic Ape In Empire State Building Climb

NEW YORK CITY — In a publicity stunt no doubt intended to take his career to new heights, actor Jared Leto climbed the Empire State Building Thursday morning to promote his band's new album and upcoming world tour.

The 51-year-old actor and 30 Seconds to Mars frontman—who performs with his brother Shannon Leto—described his reasoning behind the climb in an Instagram caption alongside a video Thursday, writing that the stunt is in line with the message of his new album, "It’s The End of The World But It’s a Beautiful Day."

"In a lot of ways, this album is about following your dreams and pushing yourself to do the seemingly impossible," Leto wrote. "Climbing the Empire State Building certainly falls into that category for me. As does touring the world with my brother and sharing these unforgettable concerts and experiences with you all."

Leto noted that many of his fans already knew that he loves to climb.

"It’s one of the few things I’ve found that takes me away from some of the pressures of life and helps me to find a bit of freedom and equanimity," he wrote.

But why did Leto choose to climb the Empire State Building—the art deco landmark whose design was inspired by a pencil during a race to build the world's tallest building in 1930?

"I've had a fascination with the Empire State Building, the “world’s number one attraction," since I was a kid," Leto explained. "Not sure if it was Guinness [World Records], King Kong, but something about this iconic structure always captured my imagination. Built in just 13 short months, in one of the greatest cities in the world it has always been a powerful symbol to me of all the possibilities in life."

The tour, which will take the brothers across the United States, Latin America, Europe, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia, is 30 Seconds to Mars’ first headlining tour in more than five years.

Presale for the North America leg of the tour began Friday at 10 a.m. All tickets for the tour will go on sale Nov. 17.