Timothée Chalamet Defends Praising His Own Acting as 'Top-Level S---': 'I'm Leaving It on the Field'
- - Timothée Chalamet Defends Praising His Own Acting as 'Top-Level S---': 'I'm Leaving It on the Field'
Tommy McArdleDecember 24, 2025 at 12:25 AM
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Frederic J. Brown / AFP via Getty
Timothée Chalamet on Dec. 8, 2025 -
Timothée Chalamet defended his recent comments praising his acting performances
"Whether it’s the merch or the Zoom or the media appearances, I’m trying to get this out in the biggest way possible," the star said of his approach to promoting Marty Supreme
Chalamet recently received some criticism for calling his own acting in recent years "really some top-level s---"
Timothée Chalamet is standing by his comments praising his own body of work while promoting Marty Supreme.
When the Oscar nominee, 29, spoke to IndieWire to discuss his latest movie in an interview published Friday, Dec. 19, he responded directly to a question regarding other recent interviews in which he said he believes his acting is "really some top-level s---.”
"Why would I not like that question? This is in the spirit of Marty, and I feel like this is ultimately an original film at a time when original movies aren’t really put out," Chalamet responded after IndieWire asked if he planned to be "more careful about how you talk" moving forward and suggested Chalamet would not appreciate the question.
"It’s a movie about the pursuit of a dream. I’m leaving it on the field," he added. "Whether it’s the merch or the Zoom or the media appearances, I’m trying to get this out in the biggest way possible. In the spirit of Marty Mauser."
A24
Timothée Chalamet in Marty Supreme
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Chalamet has been more open about his desire to be known as a great actor since February, when he admitted during an acceptance speech at the 2025 SAG Awards that he is "really in pursuit of greatness."
In his new movie he plays a highly confident and ambitious man named Marty Mauser in 1950s New York City, pursuing his dream of international success as a pro table tennis player.
Some fans online bristled at comments he made during an interview clip circulated on TikTok in which he said: “This is probably my best performance, and it's been like seven, eight years that I feel like I've been handing in really, really committed, top-of-the-line performances. It's important to say it out loud because the discipline and the work ethic I'm bringing to these things, I don't want people to take for granted."
IndieWire also asked Chalamet in his Dec. 19 interview if there was a specific moment when he began to more directly push himself toward his acting goals.
"'He who is not busy being born is busy dying.' Simple as that. That Dylan lyric resonated with me so tremendously," Chalamet said, referencing the Bob Dylan song "It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)." Chalamet portrayed a young Dylan in last year's A Complete Unknown.
Courtesy of A24
Timothée Chalamet in Marty Supreme
"Certainly, everyone needs respite and relaxation and healing at times, and I’m not speaking in some maniacal pursuit way. But with such a unique lifestyle and career opportunity, that is to say, to work at a high level, why not be passionate about it at all?" he said.
"I’ve always given it my all. That’s evident in my early work: Bones and All, Call Me by Your Name, Beautiful Boy, or The King, but I do believe my artistry is growing. It’s in formation. My foundation has gotten stronger as an artist. So my canvas board got bigger, or my palette."
Chalamet has been nominated for awards for his performance in Marty Supreme at the upcoming Critics Choice Awards on Jan. 4 and Golden Globe Awards on Jan. 11. The movie is in theaters everywhere Dec. 25.
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