Timothée Chalamet displayed a deep knowledge and appreciation for professional wrestling during his appearance on Cody Rhodes’ podcast, What Do You Wanna Talk About?. The Academy Award-nominated actor rejected the notion that wrestling exists outside the mainstream, validating the industry’s cultural significance.
“I don’t think in 2025 wrestling’s downstream from pop culture. And I think it is pop culture right there,” Chalamet stated.
He reminisced about growing up near Times Square and visiting the WWF store, citing wrestling as a key “intersection” for him as a fan of both sports and acting. Chalamet noted that the theatricality of wrestling characters like The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin provided a blueprint for charisma that translates to Hollywood.
Favorite Characters and Moments
Chalamet surprised Rhodes with specific references to wrestling history. He named ECW One Night Stand (2005) at the Hammerstein Ballroom as his “favorite Pay-Per-View ever,” specifically highlighting the hostile crowd reaction to John Cena.
“That crowd was electric, man… throwing sh*t from the stands,” Chalamet recalled enthusiastically.
When discussing his favorite characters, Chalamet mentioned legends like The Rock and Stone Cold but also singled out “The Boogeyman” (Marty Wright) as a personal favorite. “Freaky, like out of left field… one of the most underrated, I feel like they didn’t realize how big he was at the time,” Chalamet said.
He also praised the “epic push” of Goldberg in WCW, comparing it to the modern landscape. “I’d never heard of Goldberg… but I just thought it was the most epic push… just the greatest run ever,” Chalamet explained.
Wrestling’s Influence on “Marty Supreme”
Chalamet drew direct parallels between the structure of professional wrestling and his upcoming film Marty Supreme, which is set in the world of competitive table tennis. He described the film as falling into the category of “sports entertainment.”
“It’s as much about the individual pursuit of athletic greatness… as it is, you know, popcorn crunch movie,” Chalamet said.
He utilized wrestling archetypes to frame his career choices, noting the distinction between a “company man” like John Cena versus a “mysterious” figure like The Undertaker. “I love framing what I do through these lenses, and that’s where being a WWE fan has been so helpful, honestly,” Chalamet revealed.
Appreciation for Paul Heyman
Chalamet reserved special praise for Paul Heyman, citing his on-screen authenticity. “I love Paul Heyman, dude. I like that he’s on all the broadcasts… he just seems like the real,” Chalamet said. He expressed admiration for Heyman’s ability to speak “from the gut,” particularly during the ECW era.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit What Do You Wanna Talk About? with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
