The Untold Truth Of Timothee Chalamet

The following article includes a brief mention of sexual assault allegations.

While some people might argue we're currently in the midst of a "Keanusance" (Keanu Reeves Renaissance), let's not kid ourselves; it's the age of Timothée Chalamet and everyone knows it. The floppy-haired boy wonder skyrocketed to stardom with his role in 2018's "Call Me By Your Name." While co-star Armie Hammer perfectly portrayed the older Oliver in the Oscar-winning film adaptation — which chronicles the duo's passionate, formative, peach-biting romance over one Italian summer — it was newcomer Chalamet who stole the show as Elio. With a magnetic, vulnerable performance, GQ heralded him a "once-in-a-generation talent." As a result, Chalamet became, per VMAN, the youngest actor to be nominated for the best actor Oscar in 80 years.

He fireplace-stared himself into a meme, was interviewed by the elusive Frank Ocean, and starred alongside Saoirse Ronan in 2018's "Ladybird." With two solid, differentiating performances in one year — playing, per Chalamet, a jerky high school kid in Greta Gerwig's equally acclaimed directorial debut — Chalamet became a household name.

Chalamet kept the momentum going, with starring roles in 2019's "Little Women" and Denis Villeneuve's adaptation of Frank Herbert's classic novel "Dune." Thanks to his acting chops, distinct look, and affinity for top-notch roles, Chalamet's stock continues to rise (controversial moments notwithstanding). Here's everything you need to know, and maybe even some things you don't, about actor Timothée Chalamet.

Timothée Chalamet has made some smart movie choices throughout his brief career, teaming up with industry veterans like Christopher Nolan. (Chalamet had a small part in 2014's "Interstellar.") However, the young actor did align with one director that invited backlash: Woody Allen. In the midst of the #MeToo movement, Chalamet's turn in Allen's delayed 2019 film "A Rainy Day in New York" drew much criticism, as Allen faced sexual assault allegations of his own. 

But Chalamet did not take the backlash sitting down. Instead, Chalamet donated his "entire salary" from the film to organizations like TIME'S UP, the LGBT Center in New York, and RAINN. "This year has changed the way I see and feel about so many things; it has been a thrilling and, at times, enlightening education," Chalamet wrote on Instagram. "I have, to this point, chosen projects from the perspective of a young actor trying to walk in the footsteps of more seasoned actors I admire. But I am learning that a good role isn't the only criteria for accepting a job." 

It's also worth mentioning another surprising role that Chalamet didn't get. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the actor tried out for the role of Marvel's Spider-Man, which ultimately went to Tom Holland. "I read twice and I left sweating in a total panic," he told THR in 2018. In another world, Lil' Timmy Tim would be in the Spidey suit, not a reported "Call Me By Your Name" sequel!

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

That's right, the acting bug has been catching in this family. Timothée Chalamet's older sister, Pauline Chalamet, is also in the business. Her career began during childhood with a small acting role in "One Life to Live" in 1999, and she was seen frequently as Kimberly Finkle in HBO's "The Sex Lives of College Girls" over two decades later. While she made her big screen debut in 2020's "The King of Staten Island" alongside Pete Davidson, it was her work on Mindy Kaling's "Sex Lives" that proved to be Pauline's major breakout role. In addition to acting, Pauline is also a director, writer, and producer. She is also not shy about her activist side either, frequently posting ways to get involved in social issues on social media — like this list of abortion resources following the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022.

In 2021, Pauline told Glamour that stepping into the directorial role happened because she wanted certain kinds of work to be done. When that wasn't happening, she decided to do it herself. "It really came from this desire to try and be in control, which is ultimately an anxiety thing because you don't ever have that much control over anything! I was like, 'Okay, if I have the story in my head, how do I make it?'" she told the outlet.

At the time, Pauline had three short films under her belt, and added that she was still figuring out what kind of director she wanted to be.

It should come as no surprise that the mother of Timothée and Pauline Chalamet is in the arts herself — not to mention her own Broadway dancer mom, and her father, who was a renowned author and screenwriter. Nicole Flender has spent her fair share of time in the spotlight, as well. Per The Guardian, she was in shows such as "Fiddler on the Roof," "Hello Dolly," and "My One and Only." Flender is even the Equity Principal Councilor for the Eastern Region for Actors Equity. 

Speaking with the outlet in March 2022, the proud mom explained that instilling a love of the arts was something she put forth with her kids. "I took them to see many different plays and musicals when they were growing up, and I think seeing certain performances influenced them," Flender said. "The productions they've seen and even growing up in New York, [have] informed who they are today." The last theater credit listed for Flender was playing Valerie in "A Chorus Line" at Harrah's Lake Tahoe in 1991. Since welcoming her two equally talented kids, she's also become a real estate agent. 

Not at all the stereotypical stage parent, Flender merely supported Timothée and Pauline's foray into acting, adding that ultimately, "I'm happy that they're successful and safe and healthy, and I would feel that way no matter what their profession was."

Despite the dating rumors that have plagued them, Saoirse Ronan and Timothée Chalamet are not an item. The two "Lady Bird" and "Little Women" co-stars are simply good friends — though Ronan holds Chalamet in high regard. During a 2020 Zoom interview between "Ammonite" writer Anne T. Donahue and Ronan during the Toronto International Film Festival, the actor opened up about working with Chalamet on Greta Gerwig's celebrated freshman and sophomore efforts. "I always knew he was very special," she told Donahue in part (via Dazed). "And he was very magnetic as an actor. We've always just felt very comfortable with one another."

For his part, Chalamet told Entertainment Weekly in 2019, "It's so rare with Saoirse — I'm so f***ing grateful to get to work with her." Another co-star who Chalamet has stayed close with is Zendaya, with whom he traveled the world with while filming "Dune." In fact, Chalamet even tweeted a sweet birthday message to his pal in September 2020: "happy birthday to one of the most inspiring people I've met on my short journey. Someone with the strongest ethical character, and a moral compass that is in harmony with a totally fearless creative abandon. happy birthday @Zendaya, hope your day is beautiful, friend."

Zendaya and Chalamet even did BuzzFeed's BFF Test in 2021. Can we just agree that both of these friendships are equally adorable and envy-worthy?

Timothée Chalamet is a multi-language speaking performer. He speaks French fluently (you can even see a French language coach react to his language skills) because his father is French, per VMAN. Chalamet's family would summer in France when he was a child, so it's not surprising that he learned the language. And while he's known to even hold his own on French talk shows, French isn't the only foreign language that Chalamet speaks — the actor also managed to learn some Italian for his role in "Call Me By Your Name."

In 2017, Chalamet told Newsweek, "I went to Italy about a month and a half early for the film, taking Italian lessons every day in addition to piano and guitar lessons, so I could be somewhat in the range of ability of the character and the way he's described in André Aciman's novel." The star went on to explain to the outlet that he tried his best to truly understand multiple aspects of the language as he was learning it, including grammar, and was ultimately happy with the results in the film. However, he'd admittedly go easier on himself if he had to do it again, noting, "I would maybe just do it phonetically."

Before he became a Hollywood heartthrob, Timothée Chalamet was just an ordinary kid, who — like other ordinary kids — didn't always get what he wanted. That included the time in middle school when he tried out for the basketball team, didn't get picked, and wound up being the mascot. 

Opening up to W Magazine about his mascoting days in 2018, Chalamet admitted that the outfit was hot, though he was luckily able to remove it during halftime for a break. He then quipped, "I could be a good mascot. ... If this whole acting thing doesn't work out, I'll call the Knicks or something — although the Knicks don't have a mascot, so."

We did some digging, and it turns out Chalamet went to Booker T. Washington Middle School in New York City. According to the school's website, the boys' basketball team is the Raiders. So, the Knicks might be out, but perhaps Chalamet has a future with the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders should he ever get tired of the acting game?