Throughout history, those of us actively in the pursuit of greatness have often been bound by a supposed societal rule barring one from ever outright acknowledging this journey. There have been exceptions, those who boldly and inspiringly ditch this nonsense to the chagrin of the accomplishment-averse modesty police, and on Sunday night the world was given a new one: Timothée Chalamet.
While accepting the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role at the 2025 SAG Awards, Chalamet, whose half-a-decade-in-the-making turn as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown not only meets but exceeds the hype, first shouted out his mother, Nicole Flender, before pointing out the years of work he put into this performance.
“I know the classiest thing would be to downplay the effort that went into this role and how much this means to me, but the truth is this was five and a half years of my life,” Chalamet, wearing custom Chrome Hearts and vintage Cartier, said on Sunday night. “I poured everything I had into playing this incomparable artist, Mr. Bob Dylan, a true American hero. It was the honor of a lifetime playing him.”
Chalamet, now the youngest artist to ever win SAG’s lead actor award, then shouted out his A Complete Unknown co-stars Edward Norton, Monica Barbaro, and Elle Fanning. From there, he turned his attention to that aforementioned path toward greatness, notably citing everyone from Michael Jordan to Daniel Day-Lewis when detailing the company he wants to be in.
“I can’t downplay the significance of this award because it means the most to me,” he said. “I know we’re in a subjective business 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. I’m inspired by the greats. I’m inspired by the greats here tonight.”
Chalamet continued, “I’m as inspired by Daniel Day-Lewis, Marlon Brando, and Viola Davis as I am by Michael Jordan and Michael Phelps. I wanna be up there so I’m deeply grateful to that. This doesn’t signify that but it’s a little more fuel, it’s a little more ammo to keep going.”
A Complete Unknown, directed by James Mangold, is expected to hit VOD this week. The biopic is among the films with multiple nominations at the 2025 Oscars, set for this coming Sunday with host Conan O’Brien.
As for that pursuit of greatness, let Chalamet’s SAG speech, not to mention past examples of artists and others who have spoken publicly about their own battles toward the upper echelons of their respective field, serve as your own fuel and ammo. We’ve got enough mediocrity out there. Let’s aim for higher. Better yet, let’s aim for the highest.
If you make your own public vow to pursue greatness, coupled with the hard work required to get there, the universe just might reward you by opening a door.
Walk through it.