At the Screen Actors Guild awards last February, Timothée Chalamet seized the spotlight by winning best actor for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, marking another milestone in his pursuit of Timothée Chalamet acting greatness. During his acceptance speech, he joked about the microphone’s height and expressed disbelief at his win before delivering an unguarded declaration of ambition, capturing widespread attention both at the event and online.
“I know the classiest thing would be to downplay the effort that went into this role,”
Chalamet began.
“But the truth is … I’m really in pursuit of greatness. I know people don’t usually talk like that. But I wanna be one of the greats.”
— Timothée Chalamet, Actor
This rare admission of professional hunger divided audiences. Some found Chalamet’s approach refreshingly honest, while others saw it as egotistical or overreaching. On social media, reactions ranged from users calling him ambitious to critiques accusing him of lacking humility. The cultural conversation even referenced his Little Women co-star, Florence Pugh, who once said,
“I want to be great, or nothing.”
— Florence Pugh, Actor
Colleagues in the industry joined the debate. Josh O’Connor, for example, voiced his admiration, suggesting that Chalamet had already reached legendary status. Viola Davis, one of the very actors Chalamet aspires to emulate, responded supportively, reportedly willing to “pass him the baton.”
A Relentless Ascent: Training, Roles, and Recognition
Since his fearless work in 2017’s Call Me by Your Name, Chalamet has continued to build a reputation for intensity and discipline. Avoiding a strict “method” approach, he instead prepared for years at a time for major roles, including his five-year commitment to playing Bob Dylan. He pursued a similarly rigorous approach for Josh Safdie’s film Marty Supreme, dedicating himself to table tennis to authentically portray rising star Marty Mauser. Throughout these years, Chalamet collaborated with revered filmmakers such as Wes Anderson, Denis Villeneuve, Christopher Nolan, Luca Guadagnino, and Woody Allen, and earned two Oscar nominations for leading roles before turning 30.
The process behind Marty Supreme blurs the line between art and life. Chalamet embodies Marty Mauser, a 1950s shoe salesman from Manhattan who chases table tennis glory, stopping at nothing to achieve his aims. The role features shades of both greatness and personal ambition, paralleling Chalamet’s own pursuit.
According to Chalamet,
“In spirit, this is the most who I was that I’ve had to play [in] a role,”
he told The Hollywood Reporter after the film’s festival premiere.
“This is who I was before I had a career.”
— Timothée Chalamet, Actor
Mauser’s journey in the film is gritty and relentless. He lies, hustles, cuts corners, and navigates a disruptive personal life, including an affair with a married movie star (played by Gwyneth Paltrow) and drawing others into his high-stakes plans. Mauser’s raw talent and drive, described in reference to champions like Michael Phelps and Michael Jordan, echo Chalamet’s own quest for lasting recognition.
Marty Supreme: A Career-Defining Performance
The intense psychological landscape of Marty Supreme is reminiscent of director Josh Safdie’s earlier work with actors such as Robert Pattinson and Adam Sandler, subjects of thrillers filled with anxiety and momentum. In this environment, Chalamet explores new territory, portraying desperation, drive, and a keen sense of self-worth as Mauser battles for distinction on the table tennis circuit and in life.
This performance has drawn critical praise and positioned Chalamet closer than ever to the ranks of acting heavyweights like Daniel Day-Lewis, Marlon Brando, and Viola Davis. Marty Mauser, with his blend of genius and flaw, allowed Chalamet to showcase both his acting range and the very qualities he publicly declared skeptical at last year’s awards.
“In spirit, this is the most who I was that I’ve had to play [in] a role,”
Chalamet said after the New York Film Festival premiere.
“This is who I was before I had a career.”
— Timothée Chalamet, Actor
Recent Award Wins and a Changed Outlook
Marty Supreme has earned Chalamet the strongest reviews of his career so far, putting him at the center of awards season. He accepted additional accolades at the Critics Choice Awards and recently at the Golden Globes, where his speech took a different turn from his earlier, declaration-fueled moment. Speaking to the crowd, he emphasized gratitude and humility, noting the lessons passed down from his family.
“My dad instilled in me a spirit of gratitude growing up,”
Chalamet shared.
“‘Always be grateful for what you have.’ It’s allowed me to leave this ceremony in the past empty-handed, my head held high, grateful just to be here. But I’d lying if I said those moments didn’t make this moment that much sweeter.”
— Timothée Chalamet, Actor
His words marked a notable evolution from his previous, openly ambitious tone, suggesting personal and professional growth even as his career momentum accelerates.
A New Chapter in Contemporary Screen Acting
By inhabiting the complex, flawed ambition of Marty Mauser, Chalamet delivers a performance that demonstrates not an imitation of greats such as Marlon Brando or Daniel Day-Lewis, but the emergence of his own singular style. While Mauser strives fictional victory, Chalamet’s visible progress toward acting greatness becomes more credible with each public appearance and challenging role.
As Chalamet heads into the remainder of the awards season, he stands as a LaGuardia High School alumnus and a rising figure among contemporary screen actors, embodying both the ambition and vulnerabilities that define his generation’s stars. With critics and industry figures acknowledging his growth, and iconic performances like Marty Supreme earning widespread acclaim, Timothée Chalamet continues pursuing his place among the acting greats he so openly admires.
