Not Unknown
Star of last year’s Dylan biopic also hosts SNL for the third time
Timothée Chalamet, star of the 2024 Bob Dylan biopic Complete Unknown, debuted as Saturday Night Live musical guest by performing three Dylan tunes: “Outlaw Blues,” “Three Angels,” and “Tomorrow Is a Long Time.”
Chalamet was introduced by Adam Sandler, who weeks earlier but his trademark pronunciation on the actor’s name during a bit in the Golden Globes opening monologue. Donning dark sunglasses, as the lyrics to “Outlaw Blues” stipulate, Chalamet opened with that 1965 track from Bringing It All Back Home. Dylan’s fifth studio album, it was his first to include electric guitar. Chalamet strummed one alongside a lively backing band, which then transitioned into the mellow “Three Angels,” featuring surprise guest James Blake on keyboards.
For the gospel-inspired track, from 1970’s New Morning, Chalamet grabbed a microphone and took a seat on the front of the stage beside the keyboard to deliver the spoken-word delivery.
Later in the show, Chalamet, who has been nominated for a host of awards for his portrayal of Dylan, picked up an acoustic guitar for his third cover, “Tomorrow Is a Long Time,” a 1963 composition first released on the 1971 compilation album Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits Vol. II. Blake again joined Chalamet for the performance.
Rolling Stone‘s November cover artist, Chalamet described the process of learning guitar and harmonica, as well as working with vocal, dialect and movement coaches. This translated so well on-screen that Dylan himself approved of what he saw and heard in “Like a Rolling Stone” and other songs featured in the film.
Chalamet, who also hosted Saturday night’s episode, last did so in November 2023. In that appearance, the Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory star sang about artificial intelligence and the resolution of the SAG-AFTRA strike to the tune of “Pure Imagination.” The 29-year-old debuted on the late night show in December 2020.