Timothée Chalamet Ties James Dean For Best Actor Oscar Record
Timothée Chalamet is the Oscars' youngest two-time Best Actor nominee since James Dean. He would become the youngest Best Actor Winner.
Timothée Chalamet has cemented his place in Hollywood history by earning his second Best Actor Oscar nomination at the age of 29. The Academy recognized his performance as a young Bob Dylan in James Mangold’s “A Complete Unknown“, a musical biopic chronicling Dylan’s transformation into an iconic voice of a generation. Chalamet’s latest achievement places him in rarefied air as the youngest two-time Best Actor nominee since James Dean, sparking comparisons to the late Hollywood legend.
Chalamet’s rise in the film industry has been nothing short of meteoric. His first Oscar nomination in 2018 for Luca Guadagnino’s “Call Me by Your Name” made waves, with the actor earning the nod at just 22 years old. That performance, which captured the nuanced longing of first love, positioned him as the youngest nominee in the category in over 80 years. The youngest ever, however, remains Jackie Cooper, who was just 9 years old when he earned his nomination in 1931 for “Skippy“.
Getty
Timothee Chalamet zooms into the UK Premiere of Searchlight Pictures’ “A Complete Unknown” at BFI Southbank on January 14, 2025 in London, England.
Chalamet’s dual nominations represent a rare feat in an industry where consistent recognition in major categories is a hallmark of true acting prowess. Only a few actors under 30, including Mickey Rooney, who was 19 when nominated for Babes in Arms in 1940, have achieved such recognition. Chalamet’s ability to embody vastly different characters—from a vulnerable young man in a sun-soaked Italian countryside to an enigmatic Bob Dylan on the brink of fame—demonstrates his range and commitment to his craft.
Dean remains one of the most enduring symbols of youthful rebellion and untapped potential in Hollywood. He earned two posthumous Oscar nominations: one for his portrayal of Cal Trask in Elia Kazan’s adaptation of John Steinbeck’s East of Eden (1955) and another for playing Jett Rink in George Stevens’ Giant (1956). His untimely death at age 24 in a car accident cut short a promising career, yet his influence on film and culture remains profound.
Getty
James Dean playing the flute in a scene from the film ‘East Of Eden’, 1955.
Film historian Mark Harris noted on Bluesky that Chalamet is the first actor to achieve two Best Actor nominations before turning 30 since Dean, further solidifying his role as a defining talent of his generation. While Dean’s career was tragically abbreviated, Chalamet’s continues to ascend, marked by a deliberate choice of roles that challenge both himself and his audiences.
Conan O’Brien is set to host the Oscars ceremony, broadcasting live from the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, at 7 p.m. ET on ABC and Hulu.