Upon release, A Complete Unknown was critically acclaimed, receiving praise for its soundtrack, editing, and depiction of the highs and lows of Dylan's early career. It received eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. Timotheé Chalamet's performance of Bob Dylan was widely praised and saw him achieve the second Oscar nomination in his career for Best Actor in a Leading Role. This marks his second Best Actor nomination and has allowed him to break several notable records throughout the 96-year history of the Oscars, including one that has stood for almost seven decades.

Timotheé Chalamet Is The Youngest Two-Time Best Actor Oscar Nominee Since James Dean

James Dean Received Two Posthumous Best Actor Nominations At The Age Of 24

At the age of 29, Timotheé Chalamet received his second Oscar nomination for Best Actor in A Complete Unknown. He received his first nomination in 2017, at the age of 22, for his performance of Elio Perlman in Call Me By Your Name, which is considered one of Luca Guadagnino's best movies as a director. Chalamet's second Oscar nomination for A Complete Unknown, means he has become the youngest actor to ever receive two Best Actor Oscar nominations before the age of 30, since James Dean received two nominations at the age of 24 (via Variety).

James Dean received his first Oscar nomination in 1956 for his performance as Cal Trask in Elia Kazan's East of Eden. His nomination came just months after his death in a car accident in California, at the age of 24. He received his second posthumous Oscar nomination the following year, for his role as Jett Rink in George Stevens' Giant (via The Hollywood Reporter). James Dean's two Oscar nominations at the age of 24, make him the youngest actor to receive two nominations before the age of 30, and the only actor to receive two posthumous nominations (via Collider).

Timotheé Chalamet Will Break Other Oscar Records If He Does Win

He Is Nominated Alongside The Youngest Best Actor Winner, Adrien Brody

Chalamet received high praise for his work in A Complete Unknown, with many critics positively breaking a 21-year-long record, held by Adrien Brody, who is also nominated for his role as László Tóth in The Brutalist.

Related

Could Timothée Chalamet win Best Actor At The 2025 Oscars?

Timothée Chalamet is one of the most popular and talented stars in Hollywood. At only 29 years old, Chalamet has two Best Actor nominations at the Academy Awards. I think he could very well end up winning it all for his role as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown. After all, the Academy sure loves a biopic, as evidenced by the success of the controversial Bohemian Rhapsody and more beloved films, such as La La Land. However, Chalamet will have to beat The Brutalist's Adrien Brody, who I believe is his fiercest competitor for Best Actor this year.

Posts

His nomination for his performance as Bob Dylan has seen him the list of several actors who have received Oscar nominations for portraying musicians. If he does win the award, Chalamet will become only the third actor to win an Oscar for portraying a musician, after Jamie Foxx in Ray (2004) and Rami Malek in Bohemian Rhapsody (2018). Timotheé Chalamet's powerful performance as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown proves he's a high contender to win at the Oscars and could allow him to set new records if he is successful.

Source: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Collider

Oscars

Location

Los Angeles, CA

Dates

March 2, 2025

The Oscars, also known as The Academy Awards, is an annual awards show celebrating workers in the film industry for their artistic and technical abilities. The Oscars are often considered the most prestigious awards show in the industry and date back to 1929. The 96th Academy Awards will be held on March 10, 2024, and be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel on ABC.

Network

ABC

Website

https://www.oscars.org/

Expand Collapse