In Hollywood’s world of stars and fan favorites, a familiar narrative is starting to take place: Timothée Chalamet, with his charm and dedication to his acting and producing, is being hailed as the Leonardo DiCaprio of his generation.
The comparison began after the two actors’ were both casted in the 2021 film“Don’t Look Up.” Though their roles barely overlapped, the visual of two different generations’ popular actors together spoke to the audience, and it was enough to spark a new question in pop culture: Is Chalamet becoming the new Leo?
From Chalamet’s breakout performance in 2017’s “Call Me by Your Name,” to leading roles in films such as “Dune,” “A Complete Unknown,”
and “Wonka,” he has proven that he is not just a pretty face. Much like DiCaprio in the 1990s and early 2000s who quickly earned national acclaim, Chalamet has carved himself a unique spot in Hollywood as a young and flourishing actor.
“He’s our Leo,” said actress Florence Pugh, who stars alongside Chalamet in “Dune: Part Two.”
Chalamet and DiCaprio’s careers also share eerily similar parallels. Both actors’ careers kicked off by playing emotionally rich roles that earned lots of critical acclaim (“What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” for DiCaprio and “Call Me by Your Name” for Chalamet). Both actors also quickly became known for their riskiness in taking roles unfamiliar to them, such as “J. Edgar” for DiCaprio and “A Complete Unknown” for Chalamet.
Off-screen, the similarities go even further. Much like DiCaprio in his late 20s, Chalamet has kept his personal life quite mysterious, keeping his romantic life just vague enough to spark tabloid speculations without ever confirming a thing.
But perhaps their biggest similarity is their generational influence. For Millennial youth, DiCaprio became a defining actor of their time. Chalamet is now doing the same for Gen Z: offering a version of himself that is raw and real through interviews, fan interactions, and more.
Nevertheless, Chalamet seems to be forging his own path. While the comparisons to DiCaprio are inevitable, it is clear that he is intent on carving his own legacy.
