Timothée Chalamet's Curls Key to His Success, Esquire Says

The actor's signature hairstyle helped launch him to stardom, but a recent buzzcut has led to a public image shift.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 11:52am

Esquire magazine examines how Timothée Chalamet's curly hair has been central to his rise to fame, from his breakout role in "Call Me By Your Name" to his more recent work. However, the article notes that when Chalamet debuted a shorter buzzcut hairstyle last year, it led to a noticeable shift in his public persona, with the actor adopting a more brash and ambitious image.

Why it matters

Chalamet's curly hairstyle has become a signature part of his image and helped establish him as a rising star. The article suggests that the actor's decision to change his look could have implications for how he is perceived by the public and the types of roles he is offered going forward.

The details

The article traces Chalamet's career, noting how his curly hair was a key part of the French-American actor's appeal in films like "Call Me By Your Name," "Lady Bird," and "Dune." However, when Chalamet debuted a shorter buzzcut hairstyle last year, the author argues it led to a shift in his public persona, with the actor adopting a "brash ambition" in his public appearances that was a departure from his previous ennui-filled roles.

  • Chalamet debuted a shorter hairstyle on the press tour for his film "A Complete Unknown" last year.
  • The actor is expected to appear with a buzzcut in the final third of the "Dune" franchise, in which his character takes on a more powerful role.

The players

Timothée Chalamet

A 30-year-old American actor known for his roles in films like "Call Me By Your Name," "Lady Bird," and "Dune."

Marty Supreme

A ping-pong player that Chalamet portrayed in a recent film.

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What’s next

Chalamet is expected to appear with a buzzcut hairstyle in the final third of the "Dune" franchise, as his character takes on a more powerful role.

The takeaway

Timothée Chalamet's curly hairstyle has been a key part of his image and appeal as a rising star, but his decision to change to a buzzcut has led to a noticeable shift in his public persona, with the actor adopting a more brash and ambitious persona that some have found jarring compared to his previous ennui-filled roles.