Timothée Chalamet Gained 20 Lbs. to Play Bob Dylan: ‘I Was Thinner Than the Guy’

Mar. 15, 2025

(Left) Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan in ‘A Complete Unknown"; (Right) Bob Dylan performs in White Plains, N.Y., in 1966.Photo:Alice Ochs/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Alice Ochs/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Timothée Chalametis sharing that his physical transformation intoBob Dylanfor the biopicA Complete Unknownwent deeper than changing his hair and wardrobe.During a Jan. 20 appearance on NPR’sAll Things Considered, Chalamet, 29, said he “turned over every stone” — fromgrowing his nailslong to gaining weight — while gearing up to play the musician.Production was delayed due to theCovid pandemic, giving Chalamet extra time to prepare for the role. The actor noted that “what was initially four months” of prep work “turned into a five-year process where I feel I’ve almost turned over every stone available to me now.”Host Ailsa Chang added, “Just so people understand, you had to learn how to sing like Dylan, talk like Dylan, play guitar like Dylan, play harmonica like him, walk and move like him.”Timothée Chalamet at the Italian premiere of “A Complete Unknown.".Rocco Spaziani/Archivio Spaziani/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty“Like I said, I’ve turned over every stone,” Chalamet explained. “I did all the work, like you just described, physicality, behavior-wise. But something we haven’t really talked about, I also put on 20 pounds because…believe it or not, I was thinner than the guy, you know?”A Complete UnknowndirectorJames Mangoldchimed in to confirm that Chalamet was, indeed, “thinner than Bob,” prompting Chang to laugh, “You had to fatten up to become Bob Dylan. That’s hilarious.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.When Chang asked “What was the hardest” part of the preparation, Chalamet explained, “It was really a process of osmosis. You know, I don’t have categories. I don’t have a ruler with different sections of stuff that I’m learning. I really try to do it all at once, and my way in was the music.”Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan in ‘A Complete Unknown.".Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures“I love this man’s music,” said Chalamet, who performed Dylan’s music when he appeared onSaturday Night Liveon Jan. 25 in the dual roles of host and musical guest. Chalamet first played electric guitar and sang amedleyof “Outlaw Blues” and “Three Angels.” For his second performance, Chalamet picked up an acoustic guitar as he sang “Tomorrow Is a Long Time.“As Chalamet said, “These are the songs of life.”His turn as Dylan netted him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor — making himthe youngest two-time nomineein that category sinceJames Dean.A Complete Unknownis now in theaters.

Timothée Chalametis sharing that his physical transformation intoBob Dylanfor the biopicA Complete Unknownwent deeper than changing his hair and wardrobe.

During a Jan. 20 appearance on NPR’sAll Things Considered, Chalamet, 29, said he “turned over every stone” — fromgrowing his nailslong to gaining weight — while gearing up to play the musician.

Production was delayed due to theCovid pandemic, giving Chalamet extra time to prepare for the role. The actor noted that “what was initially four months” of prep work “turned into a five-year process where I feel I’ve almost turned over every stone available to me now.”

Host Ailsa Chang added, “Just so people understand, you had to learn how to sing like Dylan, talk like Dylan, play guitar like Dylan, play harmonica like him, walk and move like him.”

Timothée Chalamet at the Italian premiere of “A Complete Unknown.".Rocco Spaziani/Archivio Spaziani/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty

Rocco Spaziani/Archivio Spaziani/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty

“Like I said, I’ve turned over every stone,” Chalamet explained. “I did all the work, like you just described, physicality, behavior-wise. But something we haven’t really talked about, I also put on 20 pounds because…believe it or not, I was thinner than the guy, you know?”

A Complete UnknowndirectorJames Mangoldchimed in to confirm that Chalamet was, indeed, “thinner than Bob,” prompting Chang to laugh, “You had to fatten up to become Bob Dylan. That’s hilarious.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

When Chang asked “What was the hardest” part of the preparation, Chalamet explained, “It was really a process of osmosis. You know, I don’t have categories. I don’t have a ruler with different sections of stuff that I’m learning. I really try to do it all at once, and my way in was the music.”

Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan in ‘A Complete Unknown.".Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures

Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures

“I love this man’s music,” said Chalamet, who performed Dylan’s music when he appeared onSaturday Night Liveon Jan. 25 in the dual roles of host and musical guest. Chalamet first played electric guitar and sang amedleyof “Outlaw Blues” and “Three Angels.” For his second performance, Chalamet picked up an acoustic guitar as he sang “Tomorrow Is a Long Time.”

As Chalamet said, “These are the songs of life.”

His turn as Dylan netted him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor — making himthe youngest two-time nomineein that category sinceJames Dean.

A Complete Unknownis now in theaters.

source: people.com