Timothée Chalamet may have grown up in New York City, but that didn’t exactly push him toward an acting career—if anything, it made him hesitant. In a recent conversation with Anderson Cooper on 60 Minutes, the Dune star opened up about his early struggles and the fears he had before stepping into the entertainment industry.
During the interview, Chalamet recalled his time living in a shared apartment in NYC, surrounded by other aspiring actors who, like him, were trying to make a name for themselves. Instead of feeling motivated by their journeys, he admitted that witnessing their struggles made him wary of pursuing acting as a career.
“This building truthfully made me scared of acting because it’s a tough lifestyle and many people aren’t doing fantastically,” Chalamet shared.
Cooper, surprised by his response, assumed that seeing others hustle would have inspired him. However, the Wonka star revealed it actually had the opposite effect. “It actually terrified me of becoming an actor,” he admitted, highlighting the uncertainty that comes with chasing success in Hollywood.
Chalamet also reflected on advice from his father, who had seen the ups and downs of the entertainment world. His dad made it clear that just because their family had connections to the arts, that didn’t mean Chalamet would get any shortcuts—he would have to work just as hard as any newcomer.
Recalling his father’s words, the Interstellar actor shared, “It’s no place for a child. It really isn’t. The cameras and people going, ‘Hey, do the thing where we recognize you as cute in your own head.’”
Despite his initial doubts, Chalamet eventually found his footing in the industry, landing breakout roles that would define his career. His performances in Call Me By Your Name and A Complete Unknown not only earned him critical acclaim but also two Oscar nominations, proving that his fears—while valid—didn’t hold him back from achieving success.