Timothée Chalamet, riding high on the acclaim for his performance in A Complete Unknown, is set to take on a rare challenge on January 25: serving as both host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live.
While this dual role is typically reserved for renowned musicians—think Paul Simon, Elton John, Ray Charles, and Taylor Swift—it's a much less common feat for actors. According to The Hollywood Reporter, only four non-musician performers have ever done so, with Deion Sanders being the last in February 1995.
Chalamet's inclusion in this exclusive club likely stems from his dedication to portraying Bob Dylan in James Mangold's biopic. The actor not only sang all of Dylan's songs in the film but also spent years honing his skills with dialect and harmonica coaches to bring authenticity to the role. Speculation abounds about whether Chalamet will reprise some of that material on SNL. While Deadline initially suggested he would, no confirmation has been given. Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter notes that Chalamet is a "huge fan of rap music," hinting at a potentially eclectic performance.
Though A Complete Unknown was shut out at the Golden Globes, Chalamet remains a strong contender for an Oscar nomination in the Best Actor category. If nominated and victorious, the 29-year-old would narrowly edge out Adrien Brody as the youngest-ever winner of the award—a poetic twist, given that Brody defeated Chalamet at the Globes. Oscar nominations will be announced on January 17, with voting to follow in February.
This won't be Chalamet's first stint on Saturday Night Live. He previously hosted in December 2020 and again in November 2023, with a cameo appearance in April 2021. However, this marks his debut as a musical guest, a milestone in his evolving career.
Chalamet's episode will arrive amidst a season filled with Saturday Night Live retrospectives celebrating its 50th anniversary. The festivities begin with the debut of a four-part docuseries, SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night, on January 16 via Peacock. On January 27, Ladies & Gentleman … 50 Years of SNL Music will spotlight the show's legendary musical moments. The celebration culminates with a live primetime special, SNL50: The Anniversary Special, airing on February 16.
For Chalamet, this appearance on Saturday Night Live serves as another high-profile opportunity to showcase his versatility—both as a performer and, potentially, as a musician.
