Timothée Chalamet recently shared his choices for the Timothée Chalamet greatest actors during a rapid-fire interview with Lucid Motors, offering a personal take on Hollywood’s most influential talents. The Oscar-nominated actor, known for roles in films such as Call Me By Your Name and A Complete Unknown, was asked to name who he believes are the greatest actors of all time.
Chalamet’s Top Actor Choices Revealed
When pressed for his picks, Chalamet cited several acclaimed performers with unique praise for each. He stated,
“Denzel’s the Goat, Christian Bale’s the Second Goat and Joaquin’s the Strange Goat.”
– Timothée Chalamet, Actor. Notably, Chalamet appeared alongside Christian Bale in the 2017 Western drama Hostiles, deepening his professional respect for Bale’s talent.
Leonardo DiCaprio: Role Model and Mentor
During the same interview, Chalamet was asked about the best person to receive a text from, to which he named Leonardo DiCaprio. Chalamet described the One Battle After Another star as a mentor, referencing a recent message from DiCaprio regarding Chalamet’s much-discussed haircut, undertaken for his reprisal of Paul Atreides in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part 3.
“He fried me today. He said, ‘I heard you shaved your head. Say it ain’t so,’”
– Timothée Chalamet, Actor.
The connection between the two actors grew while shooting Don’t Look Up, with DiCaprio offering Chalamet memorable career guidance:
“No hard drugs and no superhero movies.”
– Leonardo DiCaprio, Actor. Chalamet often speaks about DiCaprio’s influence, but has also made it clear that, while superhero films may not be for DiCaprio, he personally is open to the genre if the right project comes along.
Reflections on Superhero Films and Villains
In an interview with The New York Times, Chalamet elaborated on DiCaprio’s words and explained how superhero movies still hold meaning for him.
“Well, Leonardo DiCaprio said to me, ‘No superhero movies, no hard drugs.’ Which I thought was very good. I follow them both! But the movie that made me want to act is a superhero movie, ‘The Dark Knight.’ If the script was great, if the director was great, I’d have to consider it.”
– Timothée Chalamet, Actor.
Among iconic movie villains, Chalamet’s admiration for Heath Ledger as the Joker in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight stands out. His appreciation for Ledger’s work stretches back to his early years, and he consistently references this performance in interviews and discussions about acting inspiration.
Inspiration from Heath Ledger’s Joker
Chalamet recounted the pivotal moment he first saw The Dark Knight after attending a ballet recital by his sister, Pauline.
“When I was 12 years old, after attending one of my sister Pauline’s [ballet] performances, I petitioned my Mom and grandma to see Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Dark Knight’ with me,”
– Timothée Chalamet, Actor. He described the profound impact of the experience, stating,
“We went to AMC Empire 25 in Times Square for a 7:30 screening. I left that theatre a changed man, and I’m serious about that. Heath Ledger‘s performance in that film was visceral and viral to me, and I now had the acting bug.”
– Timothée Chalamet, Actor.
This early inspiration, witnessed at AMC Empire 25 in Times Square, shaped Chalamet’s dedication to the craft and influenced his later admiration for actors like Christian Bale, Denzel, Joaquin, and Leonardo DiCaprio, all of whom have become celebrated names in Hollywood.
The Ongoing Influence of Legendary Actors
Chalamet’s reflections highlight the powerful impact that leading figures such as Denzel, Christian Bale, Joaquin Phoenix, Heath Ledger, and Leonardo DiCaprio have had on his development as an actor and on the broader film industry. Through interviews and public appearances, he consistently credits these individuals for shaping his ambitions and artistic approach. As Chalamet continues to take on demanding roles and collaborate with iconic directors, his choices and inspirations offer insight into the values and passions driving the next generation of Hollywood talent.
