Timothée Chalamet Will Break 30-Year Long Saturday Night Live Trend When He Hosts Later This Month

As he finds himself in the midst of awards season, Timothée Chalamet will host Saturday Night Live in January during its ongoing 50th season and mark a significant milestone in the history of the renowned late-night sketch comedy show. The past few years have been some of the biggest yet in Chalamet’s career, with the star having led the casts of the box office hits Wonka and both Dune movies. Most recently, he was seen in the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, for which he earned a Golden Globe nomination.

Now, the official Saturday Night Live X account has revealed the upcoming SNL hosts for this month, as the show returns during the final two weekends of January. While Dave Chappelle has also been announced, most notably, Chalamet is listed as both the host and the musical guest on the episode dated January 25. Check out the announcement below:

According to The Hollywood Reporter, this momentous occasion breaks from SNL’s rich history of pairing celebrity hosts with musical performances. Only 41 individuals in the show’s 50-year history have been invited by Lorne Michaels to serve as both host and musical guest on the same night, which includes such notable figures as Paul Simon, Elton John, and Britney Spears. However, Chalamet’s inclusion in this group is rare, as he is not a professional musician.

While four non-professionals have served as both host and musical guest simultaneously in the past, namely Lily Tomlin (on two occasions), Desi Arnaz, Gary Busey, and Deion Sanders, Chalamet is the first to do so in 30 years. The most recent was Sanders, as the football icon appeared on the season 20 episode dated February 18, 1995.

What This Means For Timothée Chalamet’s Career

His SNL Appearance Is Another Point For His Versatility

Chalamet’s appearance on SNL is a noteworthy addition to his skyrocketing career. At just 29 years old, he is positioned to potentially become the youngest best actor Oscar winner in history, an honor he could claim with his recent performance as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown. His chance to host the show came just days after the Oscars shortlists was released, and while performance category shortlists have not been revealed, A Complete Unknown is in the running for Best Sound and there is much speculation about a nomination for Chalamet.

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In fact, Chalamet’s appearance aligns with his increasing visibility within the entertainment industry, especially after earning a Golden Globe nomination this year. While not a professional musician, he has shown his musical range in A Complete Unknown, where he sings several Dylan tracks. On January 25, viewers can expect to see Chalamet combine his acting skills with his musical skills, likely offering a few Dylan covers during the musical segment.

It is also possible that Chalamet’s SNL appearance will see him parody his real-life teenage rap persona Lil’ Timmy Tim.

For Saturday Night Live, his upcoming appearance shifts the type of hosts and musical guests that are invited. Chalamet’s appearance breaks their typical pattern, reflecting a trend of actors expanding into roles once dominated by musicians. Also, Chalamet’s prior appearances on the show have already proven his ability to engage audiences beyond his film roles, with his quick wit and knack for physical comedy in various sketches making him a memorable presence.

Our Take On Chalamet’s SNL Appearance

Chalamet’s Double Appearance is Exciting

Timothee Chalamet smoking a cigarette as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown

Chalamet’s dual role as host and musical guest on SNL brings an exciting twist to the show’s usual format. While his lack of professional musical experience sets him apart from prior hosts, his acting and musical performances in films like A Complete Unknown have demonstrated his versatility. He had also previously proven his musical chops when he played the title role in the prequel musical Wonka, advancing them further with his chamelonic portrayal of Bob Dylan.

He has continued to rise as one of Hollywood’s young A-listers…

This decision to be both host and musical guest may be well-received by audiences, especially as Chalamet continues to break boundaries in his evolving career. He has continued to rise as one of Hollywood’s young A-listers, to the point that a Timothée Chalamet lookalike contest was held in New York in 2024, igniting a viral trend that has expanded to seek lookalikes for many other stars across the globe. Moreover, his upcoming double-duty gig presents an opportunity for Saturday Night Live to appeal to a broader audience thanks to Chalamet’s multifaceted skills.

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To learn more about Timothée Chalamet’s biggest foray into onscreen musicality before A Complete Unknown, check out ScreenRant‘s ranking of the original songs from Wonka.

In addition to Chalamet’s performance as Bob Dylan, the cast of A Complete Unknown features a variety of other stars playing iconic musicians, including Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez, Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash, and more.

Here, readers can also learn more about why Saturday Night Live season 50 is taking so long to return after beginning its winter hiatus on December 22.

Source: THR & SNL/X