Timothée Chalamet Marty Supreme is capturing audiences with a dynamic portrayal inspired by the real-life exploits of renowned ping pong player Marty Reisman, whose unmatched flair and raucous journey set the stage for this energetic film. Premiering ahead of major awards shows, Marty Supreme has already earned Chalamet a Critics’ Choice Award and a nomination for Best Lead Actor at the upcoming Golden Globes, shining a contemporary spotlight on a remarkable sports legend and his colorful world.
Marty Reisman’s Larger-Than-Life Persona Inspires Cinema
Marty Reisman was a figure surrounded by myth and fame, his legacy as a ping pong champion immortalized both on and off the table. Matthew Broderick, recalling his own memories from New York’s legendary table tennis parlor at 96th and Broadway, remembered how Reisman’s reputation was intertwined with stories almost too wild to believe:
“He was this legendary ping pong player,”
Matthew Broderick, Late Show With David Letterman, 2008
Broderick continued,
“World champion, supposedly could do a trick where he would put a cigarette on the table and he’d hit it with a ping pong ball and it would crack in half.”
Matthew Broderick, Late Show With David Letterman, 2008
Reisman’s flamboyant presence was always just out of sight, willing to step in and prove the legends true. The Marty Supreme character, Marty Mauser, channels this audacious spirit—a hustler, con artist, raconteur, and ne’er-do-well who dominates the world of table tennis on and off the hardwood, a figure shaped by Reisman’s antics and unique style.
Director Josh Safdie, who grew up aware of the vibrant mid-century New York ping pong circuit, first encountered Reisman’s story through The Money Player: The Confessions of America’s Greatest Table Tennis Champion and Hustler. A secondhand bookstore discovery by Safdie’s wife, Sara Rossein, breathed new life into Reisman’s lesser-known history for the filmmaker.
Safdie expressed his admiration and sympathy for Reisman, who often found himself dreaming big in a dismissive world:
“and had a dream that no one respected.”
Josh Safdie, NPR, All Things Considered
The Road From Anxious Youth to Table Tennis Stardom
At just 10, Marty Reisman found solace from anxiety playing ping pong at Seward Park’s public tables in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Captivated by the sport, he was soon competing at Lawrence’s Broadway Table Tennis Club. By age 12, he was hustling games for money, using his winnings to pursue professional ambitions. Reisman’s rise was meteoric: a city junior champion at 13, he amassed 22 major finals between 1946 and 2002, including double US Open triumphs and a British Open victory.
Despite initial setbacks, as described in his memoir:
“When I first arrived at Lawrence’s there were many players who could beat me,”
Marty Reisman, The Money Player, Rolling Stone.
“Soon I was able to beat them all.”
Marty Reisman, The Money Player, Rolling Stone.
Reisman’s gambling bravado nearly landed him in trouble at 15, when an attempted $500 self-bet at a national tournament instead brought police intervention. His infectious showmanship was matched by his antics—measuring nets with $100 bills in front of skeptical tournament directors, insisting “Why be chintzy about it?” as reported by the New York Times. Reisman’s showman persona included a signature Borsalino fedora or Panama hat, colored shirts, and tinted glasses—details echoed in Marty Mauser’s onscreen depiction.
Table Tennis Hall of Famer Larry Hodges described the love-hate relationship officials had with Reisman:
“Tournament directors and referees and umpires—they hated Reisman,”
Larry Hodges, Table Tennis Hall of Famer and historian, Rolling Stone, 2025.
“If the guy says, ‘You can’t wear your hat,’ to him it’s a double win because not only is he gonna get to keep the hat, everyone gets to see him stand up to the referee.”
Larry Hodges, Table Tennis Hall of Famer and historian, Rolling Stone, 2025.
Pursuit of Championships and Relentless Performance
The heart of Marty Supreme beats in 1952, centered on Reisman’s determined bid to win the World Table Tennis Championship in Mumbai. Though he lost to Japan’s Hiroji Satoh—whose modern sponge-rubber paddle revolutionized the sport—Reisman’s silver lining was seizing the consolation match, contributing to an admirable tally of five bronze world medals over his career. In 1997, Reisman made history by becoming the oldest national champion in a racket sport at 67, clinging to his favored hardbat paddle even as the times changed.
Performance remained his true calling; teaming with Doug Cartland for a tour with the Harlem Globetrotters, Reisman blended humor and agility in a table tennis-comedy show, thrilling packed stadiums. As he wrote in his memoir, the exhilaration of entertaining an audience was central to his lifelong dedication:
“was the real reason I decided to make table tennis a lifetime career,”
Marty Reisman, The Money Player.
“Crowds had risen to their feet and cheered my talent.”
Marty Reisman, The Money Player.
Never shying from a challenge, Reisman relished games where he spotted his opponent 18 points, often defeating them regardless. His approach was gladiatorial, as told to the New York Times months before his death in 2012:
“I took on people in the gladiatorial spirit,”
Marty Reisman, New York Times.
“Never backed down from a bet.”
Marty Reisman, New York Times.
No wager was beneath him, recounted in tales of traveling across states for small prizes—sometimes even disappointed by false promises.
“We’d go out to Columbus, Ohio, for a $50 war bond. I once wasted a trip to Toledo because they said they were giving away a Jeep.”
Marty Reisman, The Money Player.
Bold Risks and Colorful Deals Beyond the Table
Reisman’s taste for risk extended past the ping pong arena, as evident in his early postwar business dealings. His memoir reveals how he realized lucrative margins in small-time overseas smuggling, importing cheap nylon stockings for substantial profit:
“a small beginning for a personal smuggling operation that would grow much larger.”
Marty Reisman, The Money Player.
But as Reisman explained, for someone relying solely on appearance fees, survival was always uncertain.
“A player who depended on exhibition fees could starve.”
Marty Reisman, The Money Player.
The Personal Side: Romances and Family Life
Marty Supreme, while drawing directly from Reisman’s thrill-seeking persona, adds fictional drama through Marty Mauser’s turbulent love affairs—deceptions involving his girlfriend Rachel Mizler (Odessa A’Zion) and the sophisticated, married actress Kay Stone (Gwyneth Paltrow) complicate the film’s emotional undercurrents. In reality, Reisman did eventually find stability, marrying Yoshiko Reisman in 1982 and later welcoming a daughter, Debby. Yoshiko’s unwavering support of her husband’s sporting ambitions is chronicled in the 2014 documentary Fact or Fiction: The Life and Times of a Ping Pong Hustler:
“was very enthusiastic about my game and what I was doing,”
Marty Reisman, Fact or Fiction.
“She was also, strangely enough, my table tennis coach during the course of a match. She lived and died in every shot that I made.”
Marty Reisman, Fact or Fiction.
Reisman described the profound importance of his wife’s partnership as she battled illness:
“I couldn’t imagine life without her.”
Marty Reisman, Fact or Fiction.
Debby Reisman, Marty’s daughter, mentioned to the New York Times how she and her children had no role in the creation of Marty Supreme but reflected on her father’s enduring influence and the pride he would feel in his renewed international fame:
“He would be so happy that he’s worldwide famous now.”
Debby Reisman, NY Times.
Award Season Buzz and Industry Recognition
As Timothée Chalamet’s charismatic turn in Marty Supreme draws major critical attention, the film finds itself at the forefront of Hollywood’s awards season excitement. Chalamet, celebrated for his nuanced approach to the character shaped by Reisman’s essence, stands alongside an array of talented nominees heading into the 2026 Golden Globes. Recent responses from high-profile nominees reinforce the high spirits permeating this year’s festivities:
“Working on this film with Jessie, Chloé, Maggie and the rest of this extraordinary cast and crew has forever changed how and why I want to work, and the kinds of stories I want to make and be part of. It was truly one of the greatest privileges of my life to make Hamnet. Thank you to the Golden Globes for recognising our film.”
Paul Mescal, Best Supporting Male Actor—Motion Picture.
“I am beyond thrilled for the show and Adam to get Global Globe nominations alongside myself. This show and everyone involved is family to me, so I want to thank you for the recognition.”
Kristen Bell, Best Female Actor—Television—Musical/Comedy.
“I am incredibly moved to be recognized by the Golden Globes today for my work as “Aunt Gladys” in Zach Cregger’s film WEAPONS, and for also recognizing the film in the Box Office & Cinematic Achievement category. To receive this recognition is a true testament to Zach’s original vision, and the work of a truly remarkable filmmaking team, including Leo Satkovich, Jason Collins, and Melizah Wheat who helped bring the look of Gladys to life, along with our costume designer Trish Summerville.
This was a team effort, and I couldn’t have done it without them. The last few months have been overwhelming seeing audiences, critics and press alike respond to the film in such a positive way. Seeing everyone dressed up as Gladys has been a blast! I’d love to give a shout out to all the other women in this category – Emily, Elle, Ariana, Inga and Teyana. They truly represent what women in film are all about.” Amy Madigan, Best Supporting Female Actor—Motion Picture.
“Thank you to the Golden Globes for this recognition – I am blown away by how Adolescence has been received across the world. This show is the result of the unyielding passion of so many dedicated individuals, both in front of and behind the camera, and this nomination celebrates each person’s hard work. To our Netflix family, thank you for trusting us with a vision that was so off the wall it seemed impossible. Stephen, Owen, Erin and Ashley, your performances were nothing short of extraordinary; seeing your names individually referenced is truly the cherry on top of the cake.”
Philip Barantini, Adolesence team.
“We are overjoyed at these nominations. Adolescence is very shocked to belong at the Golden table but delighted to be sitting there all the same! Thank you Golden Globes members!”
Jack Thorne, Adolesence team.
“Thank you, Golden Globes, and congrats to my SINNERS family! This was by far my most challenging and rewarding performance— bringing to life (and death) two distinct brothers in SINNERS. We are only here because of the brilliance and relentless fearlessness of Ryan Coogler. A decade after we first started working together, Coogler once again pushed us to unlock another level together. This film, built upon layers of complexities, taps into all of our histories. It’s a movie about love and loss, and asks us — what is the price of freedom? By recognizing this film, you are honoring our legacy and the legacy of an industry built on bold, original storytelling. THANK YOU.”
Michael B. Jordan, Best Male Actor – Motion Picture – Drama.
“Thank you to the Golden Globes for this incredible honor. Having the opportunity to bring this character to the screen has been so meaningful, and the film’s exploration of the difficult choices that define us, even when no easy path exists, resonated deeply with me as an actor and as a person. I am very grateful to director Park Chan-wook and the entire cast and crew of NO OTHER CHOICE, and I am thrilled for KPOP DEMON HUNTERS to be recognized as well!”
Lee Byung-hun, Best Male Actor – Motion Picture – Musical/Comedy.
“Feeling very grateful for our Bugonia team today, and to the Golden Globes for our nominations. Working on Bugonia was such a wild and completely singular experience, and getting to make it with Jesse, whose nomination is so deserved, was incredible. None of this would exist without Will Tracy’s amazing script, and Yorgos Lanthimos’ visionary direction, brilliant mind and huge heart. I’m so grateful to our entire cast and crew, and to have been lucky enough to be part of this film. Thank you for embracing it.”
Emma Stone, Best Female Actor-Motion Picture-Musical/Comedy.
Legacy and Enduring Inspiration
Marty Supreme not only entertains as an energetic biopic but cements Marty Reisman’s story within the pantheon of American sports legends. Chalamet’s performance, guided by Josh Safdie’s inventive vision and anchored by the real Marty’s rich history, revives a golden era of table tennis and New York showmanship. The film highlights the indomitable spirit that defines icons—risk-taking, relentless hustle, and an unyielding love of both audience and craft—that continues to inspire contestants, creators, and audiences in every new generation. With the Golden Globes on the horizon and industry buzz at a high, the enduring legend of Marty Reisman and the extraordinary world he inhabited is experiencing a well-deserved renaissance.
