Timothée Chalamet Gets a Sweet Surprise from His Drama Teacher at the Oscars
In a heartwarming moment that has everyone talking, Timothée Chalamet received a touching video message from his high school drama teacher, Harry Shifman, just before the 2025 Oscars. As Chalamet strutted down the red carpet on March 2, Access Hollywood aired this special message from Shifman, who taught at New York City’s renowned Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. In the video, Shifman praised Chalamet for his talent, saying, “Well pal, you’ve earned your keep and the recognition of your artistry in bringing humanity to life with wit and passion and grace.” He encouraged Chalamet to embrace the moment and referenced a nugget of wisdom from Bob Dylan: “Keep a good head and always carry a lightbulb.” Classic.
Chalamet, known for his roles in hits like “Call Me by Your Name” and “Dune,” expressed his gratitude on the red carpet, saying, “Amazing, thank you. That means the world.” This sweet reunion reminds us of the importance of mentors and the lasting impact they can have on their students.
Shifman’s connection to Chalamet goes way back; during a recent feature on “60 Minutes,” he reminisced about the young actor’s audition for LaGuardia. Shifman recalled being blown away by Chalamet’s emotional depth and flair, stating, “It’s rare to see a kid at that age who has both of those things happening.” He even fought for Chalamet’s acceptance when the school initially rejected him, insisting to the principal, “This is a student we must have. This is a real actor.” Talk about a teacher standing up for his student!
While Chalamet didn’t snag the Best Actor award this year—losing out to Adrien Brody for “The Brutalist”—his performance in “A Complete Unknown” has garnered serious praise, including a win at the SAG Awards last February. Besides Brody, he was up against heavyweights like Colman Domingo for “Sing Sing” and Ralph Fiennes for “Conclave.” So, whether he’s winning awards or just soaking up the love from his drama teacher, it’s clear Chalamet’s star power is only growing.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, Access Hollywood, CBS News
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