Timothée Chalamet appears to have found a sports media ally in none other than Stephen A. Smith. After Chalamet’s impressive and unexpected appearance on ESPN’s College GameDay last weekend, Smith took to X (formerly Twitter) to praise the actor and offer mentorship.
“I see you, little bro @RealChalamet. Down to show you the ropes whenever,” the First Take personality wrote on Wednesday.
Smith’s comment came in response to an Entertainment Tonight red-carpet interview where Chalamet playfully hinted at a possible pivot to sports media. Known for his roles in films like Dune and the upcoming A Complete Unknown, where he plays Bob Dylan, Chalamet joked about taking his career in a new direction.
“Well, weirdly, that was the hope when the Bob Dylan movie approached me five years ago,” Chalamet quipped. “My plan was, okay, I’m gonna shoot this movie, and then during the promotional run, I’ll pivot and go on ESPN or any sportscasting thing because, you know, acting’s not really a reliable gig. If I can get a nice six-to-eight-month ESPN gig Stephen A. Smith-style, that’s become the new 1A.”
Chalamet Shines on College GameDay
Chalamet’s remarks came days after his much-discussed appearance on College GameDay, where he joined the panel in Atlanta ahead of the SEC Championship Game between Georgia and Texas. His surprising depth of knowledge about college football left the likes of Pat McAfee and Kirk Herbstreit impressed.
The actor showcased his research with thoughtful commentary on teams from the SWAC and MAC conferences, particularly highlighting Jackson State’s dominance.
“Jackson State, eight wins in a row, 11 all-conference players — this should be a comfortable, easy win for them,” Chalamet said confidently before Jackson State’s victory over Southern.
Social media erupted with praise for the actor’s thoughtful and informed analysis.
“Timothée Chalamet came prepared, researched, and referenced the Pony Express. Maybe the best College GameDay guest picker yet. NYC guy. Respect,” tweeted Peter Schrager of Good Morning Football.
“Timothée Chalamet being a real deal college football fan, being an SMU fan, and knowing about all these teams was so crazy to me. I thought he was just invited because he’s famous, but he was a legit great guest picker on College GameDay,” added The Ringer’s Chris Vernon.
Chalamet’s Hollywood Meets ESPN
Chalamet’s enthusiasm for sports media wasn’t just an off-the-cuff joke. During his time on the GameDay set, he displayed a genuine love for the game, which has many fans wondering if he might pursue more appearances in the future.
The idea of Chalamet stepping into sports media isn’t entirely far-fetched. With his charisma and evident preparation, he seems to fit the mold of a dynamic contributor in the space, even earning an endorsement from Smith, one of the industry’s most recognized voices.
RELATED: The Story Behind Timothée Chalamet’s Trivia Contest Victory with Landry Fields
Could Chalamet Return to ESPN?
As for what’s next, fans and analysts alike are hopeful for an encore. Whether it’s another GameDay appearance or a different venture into sports media, Timothée Chalamet has proven he’s got what it takes to entertain both on the big screen and behind the desk.
For now, he’s focused on the release of his Bob Dylan biopic, but as Stephen A. Smith noted, “The door’s open whenever you’re ready.
