Timothée Chalamet won the Screen Actors Guild Award on Sunday night for best actor.
Chalamet, who played Bob Dylan in the folk singer’s biopic A Complete Unknown, appeared stunned when his name was called. Accepting the award, Chalamet addressed the crowd by speaking into a microphone — which was way too short for him — saying: “I was not expecting this at all,” before thanking his mom.
“I know the classiest thing would be to downplay the effort that went into this role and how much this means to me. But the truth is, this was five and a half years of my life. I poured everything I had into playing this in comparable artist Mr. Bob Dylan, a true American hero,” he said. “It was the honor of a lifetime playing him.”
The 29-year-old also thanked his castmembers Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, Edward Norton and the film’s team.
He continued, “Lastly, I can downplay the significance of this award because it means the most to me. And I know we’re in a subjective business, but the truth is I’m really in pursuit of greatness. I know people don’t usually talk like that, but I want to be one of the greats. I’m inspired by the greats. I’m inspired by the greats here tonight. I’m as inspired by Daniel Day-Lewis, Marlon Brando and Viola Davis as I am by Michael Jordan, Michael Phelps, and I want to be up there.”
Chalamet added that the award “doesn’t signify that” but adds “a little more fuel” and “ammo to keep going.”
The two-time Oscar nominee was up a surprise winner. He was up against Daniel Craig (Queer), Colman Domingo (Sing Sing), Ralph Fiennes (Conclave) and Adrien Brody (The Brutalist), who has swept the awards this season.
Next up, Chalamet is nominated for best actor at the Oscars on March 2. He is now the youngest actor to win in the best actor category at the SAG Awards.
The 31st annual SAG Awards were held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. See the stars who walked the red carpet and winner’s list.