As he finds himself in the midst of awards season, Timothée Chalamet will hostSaturday Night Livein January during its ongoing 50th season and mark a significant milestone in the history of the renowned late-night sketch comedy show. The past few years have been some of the biggest yet in Chalamet’s career, with the star having led the casts of the box office hitsWonkaand bothDunemovies. Most recently, he was seen in theBob Dylan biopicA Complete Unknown, for which he earned a Golden Globe nomination.
Now, the officialSaturday Night LiveX account has revealed the upcoming SNL hosts for this month, as the show returns during the final two weekends of January. While Dave Chappelle has also been announced, most notably,Chalamet is listed as both the host and the musical guest on the episode dated January 25. Check out the announcement below:
According toThe Hollywood Reporter, this momentous occasion breaks fromSNL’s rich history of pairing celebrity hosts with musical performances. Only 41 individuals in the show’s 50-year history have been invited by Lorne Michaels to serve as both host and musical guest on the same night, which includes such notable figures as Paul Simon, Elton John, and Britney Spears. However,Chalamet’s inclusion in this group is rare, as he is not a professional musician.
While four non-professionals have served as both host and musical guest simultaneously in the past, namely Lily Tomlin (on two occasions), Desi Arnaz, Gary Busey, and Deion Sanders,Chalamet is the first to do so in 30 years. The most recent was Sanders, as the football icon appeared on the season 20 episode dated July 25, 2025.
What This Means For Timothée Chalamet’s Career
His SNLAppearance Is Another Point For His Versatility
Chalamet’s appearance onSNLis a noteworthy addition to his skyrocketing career.At just 29 years old, he is positioned to potentially become the youngest best actor Oscar winner in history, an honor he could claim with his recent performance asBob Dylan inA Complete Unknown. His chance to host the show came just days after the Oscars shortlists was released, and while performance category shortlists have not been revealed,A Complete Unknownis in the running for Best Sound and there is much speculation about a nomination for Chalamet.
How Timothée Chalamet Looks & Sounds In A Complete Unknown Compared To Bob Dylan
Actor Timothée Chalamet takes on the role of Bob Dylan in the 2024 biopic, A Complete Unknown, but how does he compare to the actual singer?
In fact, Chalamet’s appearance aligns with his increasing visibility within the entertainment industry, especially after earning aGolden Globe nomination this year. While not a professional musician, he has shown his musical range inA Complete Unknown, where he sings several Dylan tracks. On January 25,viewers can expect to see Chalamet combine his acting skills with his musical skills,likely offering a few Dylan covers during the musical segment.
It is also possible that Chalamet’sSNLappearance will see him parody his real-life teenage rap persona Lil' Timmy Tim.
ForSaturday Night Live, his upcoming appearance shifts the type of hosts and musical guests that are invited. Chalamet’s appearance breaks their typical pattern, reflecting a trend of actors expanding into roles once dominated by musicians. Also, Chalamet’s prior appearances on the showhave already proven his ability to engage audiences beyond his film roles, with his quick wit and knack for physical comedy in various sketches making him a memorable presence.
Our Take On Chalamet’s SNL Appearance
Chalamet’s Double Appearance is Exciting
Chalamet’s dual role as host and musical guest onSNLbrings an exciting twist to the show’s usual format. While his lack of professional musical experience sets him apart from prior hosts, his acting and musical performances in films likeA Complete Unknownhave demonstrated his versatility. He had also previously proven his musical chops when he played the title role in the prequel musicalWonka, advancing them further with his chamelonic portrayal of Bob Dylan.
He has continued to rise as one of Hollywood’s young A-listers…
This decision to be both host and musical guest may be well-received by audiences, especially as Chalamet continues to break boundaries in his evolving career. He has continued to rise as one of Hollywood’s young A-listers, to the point that a Timothée Chalamet lookalike contest was held in New York in 2024, igniting a viral trend that has expanded to seek lookalikes for many other stars across the globe. Moreover,his upcoming double-duty gig presents an opportunity forSaturday Night Liveto appeal to a broader audience thanks to Chalamet’s multifaceted skills.
To learn Chalamet’s biggest foray into onscreen musicality beforeA Complete Unknown, check outScreenRant’s ranking of theoriginal songs fromWonka.
In addition to Chalamet’s performance as Bob Dylan, thecast ofA Complete Unknownfeatures a variety of other stars playing iconic musicians,including Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez, Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash, and more.
Here, readers can also learn more about whySaturday Night Liveseason 50is taking so long to return afterbeginning its winter hiatus on December 22.
Saturday Night Live
Cast
Saturday Night Live is a live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels, premiering in 1975. It features comedy sketches parodying contemporary culture and politics, performed by a rotating cast. Each episode is hosted by a celebrity guest and includes musical performances.
