Hidden among the commotion and excitement around Congo and High Fest on Friday and Saturday, a new yet familiar face made his way around Court Street for the first time. In search of his favorite Mid-American Conference football team, actor Timothée Chalamet visited his new favorite college town.
Chalamet is best known for his recent roles as Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown” and Paul Atreides in “Dune” and “Dune Part Two,” but Ohio University students know him as the sole panelist who believed Bobcat quarterback Parker Navarro would lead the way for a win at the MAC Championship against Miami University, 38-3.
“I had to come and see what it was all about,” Chalamet said. “Every place was bursting with life this weekend, bars and parties. I would move here tomorrow.”
On a break from his next project, “Marty Supreme,” Chalamet arrived in Athens late Friday night, with enough time to swing by parties on Congress Street. Saturday, he said he explored Athens for everything it had to offer and even paid a visit to his favorite quarterback.
“Parker is a stand-up guy,” Chalamet said. “I had faith in him, and he delivered. He made MAC football what it should be.”
Navarro said he never thought he would have such a famous number-one fan.
“I love his work and I was shocked to hear he wanted to come by,” he said. “It was a crazy day, very unexpected but I’m glad he enjoyed Athens.”
Chalamet said he has some new Athens favorites that couldn’t be replicated anywhere else. He especially enjoyed a Saturday breakfast from Union Street Diner and had to sit down and enjoy an espresso martini from The Side Bar. Chalamet also said he went to The Union to check out the local music scene and was far from disappointed.
“I had such a blast being here this weekend, this town knows how to party,” Chalamet said, laughing. “I’ll have to make my way back for another fest sometime.”
Many fans caught Chalamet out and about, giving him hot-spot recommendations and a list of things to do for his weekend stay. He said in addition to his new favorite spots, he got to partake in a Hot Nut from Tony’s and even got to autograph a fan’s Borg while he was out.
“We just bumped into him on the street, I totally freaked out,” Clair Annette, a junior studying studio art, said. “He was so sweet, we got a picture with him and then we went to Stephen’s like we were just hanging out.”
Annette said her Borg is now on display in her apartment above her fridge, displaying Chalamet's name underneath her own handwriting, “Call Me Borg Your Name.”
Another huge Chalamet fan, Justin Time, a senior studying music production and recording industry, said although he didn’t bump into Chalamet, he was thrilled his favorite actor and Saturday Night Live personality got to experience Athens.
“I heard he was around, and I just shot out of bed,” Time said. “I texted so many of my friends, it was such insane news to hear when I woke up.”
Chalamet left Athens early Sunday morning but made a promise to students that he would make his way back, especially in time for football season, and perhaps even for the ever-famous “HallOUweekend.”
“I’ll be in the stands next time,” Chalamet said. “I think back-to-back MAC championships are in the future for the Bobcats, and I want to be there to see it.”
With another fest weekend behind, a visit from Chalamet wasn’t on anyone’s bingo card. However, many of his fans had an unforgettable High Fest, and Athens has left a mark on another first-time visitor.
“I love the Bobcats, I love the town, I love the people here,” Chalamet said. “Keep doing what you are doing here, Athens. This community is something special.”
The Post would like to wish everyone a Happy April Fool’s Day!
