Viola Davis Responded To Timothée Chalamet’s Viral SAG Speech, And People Are Praising Her Reaction
Timothée made history at the 2025 SAG Awards, becoming the youngest person to ever win Best Actor in a Leading Role. He took home the bronze statue (also known as The Actor) for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown.
Amy Sussman / Getty Images
And if you’re looking at the statue saying, “That does not look bronze.” You’re right. The statues achieve their bluish-green color after being chemically oxidized.
While the win itself was one people will never forget, it was his speech that left the masses in awe. And based on his reaction to it all, no one was more shocked than Timothée.
SAG / Twitter: @timoatreides
“I know the classiest thing would be to downplay the effort that went into this role and how much this means to me,” Timothée said in his acceptance speech after thanking his mother. “But the truth is, this was five and a half years of my life. I poured everything I had into playing this incomparable artist, Mr. Bob Dylan, a true American hero, and it was the honor of a lifetime playing him.”
Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty Images
While some celebrity speeches can feel like they were written by AI, the 29-year-old didn’t hold back his desire to be one of the greats and share his love for the craft. “I know we’re in a subjective business, but the truth is, I’m really in pursuit of greatness. I know people don’t usually talk like that, but I want to be one of the greats.”
Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
“I’m inspired by the greats. I’m inspired by the greats here tonight. I’m as inspired by Daniel Day-Lewis, Marlon Brando, and Viola Davis as I am by Michael Jordan, Michael Phelps, and I want to be up there. So I’m deeply grateful. This doesn’t signify that, but it’s a little more fuel. It’s a little more ammo to keep going. Thank you so much.”
ROBYN BECK / AFP via Getty Images
Well, Viola recently caught wind of his affirming thoughts, calling his speech “beautiful.” Viola’s daughter Genesis, who happens to be a huge Timothée fan, was the one who made her aware of the iconic namedrop.
Gilbert Flores / Penske Media via Getty Images
“It was a speech about excellence,” Viola told Access Hollywood while on the red carpet for her upcoming film G20. “It wasn’t about celebrity, it wasn’t about ego. I completely understood it, and it was beautiful.”
Michael Buckner / Variety via Getty Images
If that isn’t a humble way to acknowledge your greatness, I don’t know what is! And, honestly, I don’t blame her. Viola is an EGOT winner, a champion of women, and an all-around amazing talent…how could you not be inspired?
Daniele Venturelli / Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival
Fans couldn’t get enough of her response and Timmy’s earnestness:
