Kevin O’Leary Shares Insights on Timothée Chalamet’s Journey Through Super Stardom

Kevin O’Leary, Timothée Chalamet.
Credit :

Amy Sussman/Getty; JC Olivera/2026GG/Penske Media via Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Kevin O’Leary discusses Timothée Chalamet’s management of fame.
• O’Leary, 71, stars alongside Chalamet, 30, in the film Marty Supreme.
• The Shark Tank star shares a hobby that bonded him and Chalamet on set.

Kevin O’Leary provided insights into how his Marty Supreme co-star, Timothée Chalamet, navigates the challenges of stardom in a recent discussion exclusive to PEOPLE.

While attending the annual BAFTA Tea at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, O’Leary stated that Chalamet, who has already garnered a Critics Choice Award and a Golden Globe for his performance in the film, remains down-to-earth despite his rising fame.

“He’s very well-grounded. He’s a very normal guy,” O’Leary remarked.

He continued, “I’ve met his mother. I hung out with her in New York. We had a great time. He is focused on work and he doesn’t screw around until he’s got it nailed down. I think that’s a good attribute. He hasn’t let any of the stardom stuff affect him at all. He’s the same guy I met at the beginning. Eight months later, he’s the same guy.”

‘Marty Supreme’ costars Kevin O’Leary, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Timothée Chalamet in N.Y.C. on Dec. 16, 2025.

John Nacion/Variety via Getty

O’Leary also noted that Chalamet utilized a method acting approach for his role as Marty Mauser, a tenacious ping pong player with lofty aspirations. “I certainly saw what a method actor is like. That’s not how I work, but that’s how he works. And I think he was fantastic,” O’Leary stated.

The two actors formed a bond over their shared interest in watches during filming. “He’s a big watch guy. So am I. We have a lot of fun with watches … we talk about watches all the time,” he shared, even hinting at gifting Chalamet a timepiece if he wins an Oscar this year.

Reflecting on the transition from reality television to acting, O’Leary expressed his appreciation for the filmmaking process. “It’s a new experience versus television. I’ve been doing Shark Tank for 17 years. This is a different game,” he explained.

Kevin O’Leary and Timothée Chalamet shooting a scene for ‘Marty Supreme’.

Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

“I’m loving it. It’s different. It’s a unique experience. I’m enjoying it a lot … And I think the difference between this and reality TV is the story. This is a story that is so hard to put down when you’re reading the script. It translated beautifully into this amazing film. I predict very positive outcomes for this project. It was a wonderful experience shooting it,” he added.

During his Golden Globes acceptance speech, Chalamet acknowledged O’Leary’s Shark Tank legacy, saying, “If you would have told me when I was 19 years old I’d be thanking Mr. Wonderful from Shark Tank, alright, you’re laughing, so I got away with that. Thank you, Kevin.”

In Marty Supreme, O’Leary portrays Milton Rockwell, a successful New York businessman who grows entangled in a complex relationship with Chalamet’s character, Marty. Having received accolades from both audiences and critics for his debut performance, O’Leary has expressed a desire to pursue more roles in film.

“I want to be a bad guy and blow stuff up,” he remarked, noting his interest in taking on villainous roles. “I got to be the bad guy in [James] Bond. There’s no question. They’re not bad enough. I’ll do a better job,” he added.