The hot white boy of the upcoming decade perhaps: Timothèe Chalamet is a 28 year-old star from New York City. The young actor holds dual citizenship with the United States and France because of his French father, and also speaks fluent French. Chalamet started acting at a very young age and even appeared in an episode of “Law and Order” at the age of 13, which is a cliché right of passage for many famous actors. Chalamet also attended an arts high school and was classmates with another famous actor, Angel Elgort. Chalamet has worked alongside many famous actors and directors including but not limited to: Wes Andersen, Greta Gerwig, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Meryl Streep.
“Call Me By Your Name” (2018) is the film that put Timothèe Chalamet’s name on the map while simultaneously awarding him his first and only Oscar nomination, so far. This leading role was essential for Chalamet’s career in many ways;it showcased his talents in a romantic, dramatic, and comedic way. The director, Luca Guadagnino even brought him back on set for his 2022 film, “Bones and All”.
More recently, Chalamet starred in his first blockbuster lead role for Denis Villeneuve in “Dune: Part 1” (2021) with “Dune Part: 2” (2024) coming out soon. This series also launched Chalamet into a whole new universe of movie making because of the grandness of this film and story.
Chalamet’s filmography consists of 27 movies but he only has substantial roles in about 14 of those. For example, he was in the movie “Interstellar” (2014), but barely had any lines, which was heartbreaking for young Chalamet. Something else worthy of note is that out of those 14 movies featuring Chalamet I have seen 14 of them;you could say I have a slight obsession with his work…and his face. My favorite of the lot is “Little Women” (2019).
In 2019 my Dad offered to take my sister and I to see “Little Women” when it was in theaters. I was just along for the ride and not too excited for the film. Despite my lack of enthusiasm, that day was the day I figured out my favorite movie, actor, and director. Every single one of Greta Gerwig’s films has me reflecting deeply after the credits roll.
“Lady Bird” (2017) is such a complex and entertaining film. Plus its main character actually shares a last name with me:Lady Bird McPherson and Lily McPherson. This similarity is funny because I get told I look like Saoirse Ronan, the actress who plays Lady Bird, quite often.. In this film, Chalamet plays Lady Bird’s cool high school crush.
Another Chalamet feature,“Beautiful Boy” (2018), has been criminally robbed of attention and awards. This Amazon original features Chalamet playing Steve Carell’s drug addicted son and is based on a true story. It showcases the hardships both sides of addiction go through. Chalamet’s acting in this is unmatched and untouchable, and “Beautiful Boy” is difficult to get through, it is worth it in the end. Another little fun fact is that before I became obsessed with Timothèe Chalamet I was on a plane ride with my Mom and my two Aunts and they all watched “Beautiful Boy” and I stubbornly declined the offer to join the fun. I will defend my choice however, because it is not a good plane movie because of the excessive amount of tears that come with it.
Now, I’ve only touched on 6 movies out of the 14 featuring Chalamet. But there are more worth mentioning. The Wes Andersen film, “French Dispatch” (2021) has Chalamet in a main storyline alongside Frances McDormand – who has to be an insightful and interesting experience to be with on set. “A Rainy Day in New York”(2020), is a very intriguing and confusing film by Woody Allen. It might be because I didn’t understand it but it felt like they were trying to do something, but not succeeding at it.
Chalamet’s newest movie is “Wonka” (2023), and is a prequel to the original “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”. In this movie, Timothèe Chalamet uses his high school background of musical theater and a short-lived musical career to make the goofy chocolate maker/singer come to life.
“Don’t Look Up” (2021) also features Chalamet as a small but important comedic relief role. In this film he is a very unexpected love interest for the main character played by Jennifer Lawrence.
The Netflix original, “The King” (2019) is about a young King Henry V, played by Chalamet, leading his men through war and deciphering the tragedy that comes with it. This film is where he met his then girlfriend, Lily-Rose Depp.
The rest of the films in Chalamet’s repertoire are all from his young acting years. “Miss Stevens” (2016) holds one of the best monologues I’ve ever seen Chalamet perform. He plays a high school student who is interested in acting and goes on an intimate field trip with his favorite teacher and a few of his classmates.
In “One & Two” (2015), Chalamet plays his first and only supernatural role, where a sister and brother work together to break through their isolation. And lastly, there is “Hot Summer Nights” (2018). I would say this is the first movie that got people talking about Chalamet, but solely based on his looks and not his acting ability.
I may be biased but I think Chalamet has a huge talent as seen through his large array of roles and genres he’s acted in. In my opinion he is the best actor of our generation and I am proud to be living in the young Timothèe Chalamet era that I am sure is going to be talked about in 30 years. He may be in the hot seat right now because of dating Kylie Jenner (acting like the weird couple in high school who wouldn’t stop touching each other during lunch period at the Golden Globes), but we will get through this icky patch and thrive again.