Timothée Chalamet has spoken about some of the most valuable guidance he’s picked up as an actor, while also pointing out the kind of “advice” he thinks people should be wary of.
During a town hall hosted by Variety and CNN, Chalamet appeared alongside Matthew McConaughey for a wide-ranging conversation about working in film and TV.
The two reflected on lessons learned over the years—both the genuinely helpful kind and the sort that can come with an agenda.
Chalamet and McConaughey previously shared the screen in Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar (2014). McConaughey played Joseph Cooper, while Chalamet played his son, Tom.
Chalamet was only 17 when he took on the role, and he’s said observing McConaughey on set became a learning experience in itself.
He recalled one moment in particular when McConaughey asked if he knew how a tractor worked—and Chalamet admitted he had “no clue.”
McConaughey apparently didn’t let it slide, telling him he “should know,” and doubling down when Chalamet laughed it off.
The interaction pushed Chalamet to head home and do what he described as a deep dive into the subject, returning the next day to McConaughey’s trailer door excited to show what he’d learned.
But while Chalamet said he’s benefited from moments like that, he’s also encountered advice he felt was more about the person giving it than the person receiving it.
Chalamet detailed: “I always said, ‘Beware of the people in life that get more of the advice they give you than you get at the advice.’ They’re thrilled by the act of giving you advice. All of a sudden you can’t listen to what they’re saying anymore because they’re flexing on you so hard.
“[…] I had an actor do that to me once. No names, but the guy was a punk. He asked me what conservatory I had gone to, and I said I didn’t go to an acting conservatory.
“And he said, ‘Well, you haven’t trained as an actor then.’ And we were all part of an ensemble.”
Chalamet also took time to thank McConaughey, describing him as a major influence and saying it meant a lot to circle back with the tractor research after being challenged.
“As an actor, all you risk is looking foolish, because it’s a tremendously foolish job. If you can embrace that foolishness, nothing can stop you,” Chalamet added. “You’re on a powerful light source, man, if you can embrace the clown in all this.”
McConaughey agreed, suggesting that in creative work, aiming to be “right” all the time can actually be a sign you’re playing it too safe—and that risk is part of the job.
Summing up the broader takeaway, he said: “Don’t be afraid of the foolishness. Don’t be afraid of going, “I have no idea. Should I know about that? I didn’t know I should know about that.”