Timothée Chalamet made history at the 2025 Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, winning Best Actor for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in James Mangold’s biopic A Complete Unknown. At 29, he became the youngest recipient of the award, surpassing Nicolas Cage, who won at 32 for Leaving Las Vegas (1995).
Chalamet on Striving for Excellence
In an impassioned acceptance speech, Chalamet expressed his desire to be remembered among the greats. "I know we’re in a subjective business, but I’m really in pursuit of greatness," he said. "I’m inspired by the greats here tonight. I’m as inspired by Daniel Day, Lewis, Marlon Brando and Viola Davis as I am by Michael Jordan, Michael Phelps, and I want to be up there."
He acknowledged the years of dedication that went into playing Dylan, calling it "five and a half years of my life" and thanking the film’s cast and crew for their commitment.
Chalamet triumphed over a competitive field, including Ralph Fiennes (Conclave), Colman Domingo (Sing Sing), and Daniel Craig (Queer). His closest Oscar rival, Adrien Brody, remains the youngest to win Best Actor at the Academy Awards, also at 29.
What This Means for the Oscars
Despite the significance of his SAG win, its influence on the Oscars is uncertain. Voting closed two days before the ceremony, and historically, no actor has won Best Actor at the Academy Awards with only a SAG victory as their major precursor. Regardless of the Oscar results, Chalamet’s win cements his place in Hollywood’s elite, fueling his determination to reach new heights in his career.
