At just 29 years old, Timothée Chalamet has received his second Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, this time for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown. This achievement solidifies his position among a rare group of actors who have achieved two nominations in the Best Actor category before the age of 30.
The last male actor to reach this milestone was James Dean, who posthumously received nominations for East of Eden (1955) and Giant (1956) following his tragic death in a car accident at the age of 24. Mickey Rooney, another actor in this exclusive club, was nominated at 19 for Babes in Arms (1939) and at 23 for The Human Comedy (1943). Chalamet joins these cinematic icons as a modern embodiment of youthful talent recognized by the Academy.
Chalamet first garnered critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination at the age of 22 for his heartfelt portrayal of Elio Perlman in Call Me by Your Name (2017), directed by Luca Guadagnino. At the time, he became the third-youngest Best Actor nominee in Academy history. Only Jackie Cooper, nominated at age 9 for Skippy (1931), and Mickey Rooney were younger when they earned their first nominations. Chalamet’s nuanced performances have since established him as one of the most compelling actors of his generation.
While male actors in their twenties rarely receive such early and repeated recognition, the same cannot be said for young actresses. Many women have achieved multiple Best Actress nominations before 30, including legendary figures like Joan Fontaine, who was recognized for Rebecca (1940), Suspicion (1941), and The Constant Nymph (1943). Audrey Hepburn earned her nominations for Roman Holiday (1953) and Sabrina (1954). More recent examples include Jodie Foster, who won for The Accused (1988) and The Silence of the Lambs (1991), and Kate Winslet, who received nominations for Titanic (1997) and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004).
Notably, Chalamet’s peers Saoirse Ronan and Jennifer Lawrence have also achieved remarkable success before 30. Ronan’s nominations include Brooklyn (2015), Lady Bird (2017), and Little Women (2019). Lawrence, meanwhile, has been celebrated for her roles in Winter’s Bone (2010), Silver Linings Playbook (2012)—for which she won Best Actress—and Joy (2015).
Adrien Brody remains the youngest-ever winner of the Best Actor award, having triumphed at 29 for The Pianist (2002). This year, Brody is also nominated for The Brutalist, marking another significant moment in his career. Should Chalamet win for A Complete Unknown, he would join Brody in an elite circle of young Best Actor winners and cement his legacy as one of the most accomplished performers of his generation.Chalamet’s journey as an actor has been nothing short of remarkable. His commitment to tackling complex roles, from a lovestruck teenager in Call Me by Your Name to a cultural icon like Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, showcases his versatility and depth. With upcoming projects like Dune: Part Two and Wonka, Chalamet’s career trajectory suggests that his Oscar nominations may be just the beginning of a long-lasting legacy in Hollywood.