Timothée Chalamet and Adam Sandler engaged in a lively conversation at Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, where they discussed their upcoming films, basketball, and their careers. The event, organized by Vanity Fair, featured the two actors reminiscing about their first encounter and reflecting on their respective journeys in Hollywood.
During their discussion, Chalamet recalled meeting Sandler at the premiere of Men, Women & Children in 2014, a film in which his scenes were ultimately cut. “I was at the [premiere] party at the Toronto Film Festival and I was sitting there and I was bummed, and you were leaving the party and you gave me a nice little shoulder pat; man, it meant a lot,” Chalamet shared. Sandler responded with fond memories of their time promoting Uncut Gems, noting, “You had, like, the greatest speech of the night, just pumping it up.”
The two stars reflected on their experiences in the film industry while bonding over their shared passion for basketball. Chalamet humorously recounted a challenging game against local youths, stating, “The times we’ve played basketball, we haven’t had great luck. We played these random kids and that was rough.” Sandler added, “You’re very good, awesome. I’m fine. We played these two kids, just out of nowhere they just so happened to be so good.”
Their conversation also touched on their appearances on Saturday Night Live and the impact of various performances. Chalamet expressed admiration for Sandler’s role in Punch-Drunk Love, describing it as “one of the most important performances” for his generation. He emphasized the nuanced and heartfelt nature of Sandler’s portrayal, stating, “You should have a golden man in your hand because you’re one of the best actors.”
As they discussed Sandler’s latest film, Jay Kelly, they continued to draw parallels to basketball. Sandler recounted playing basketball with co-star George Clooney, revealing, “He took the whole cast, I think he rented out a YMCA.” Chalamet was surprised to learn of Clooney’s skills on the court, asking, “No way, he balls?”
Chalamet also opened up about his latest project, Marty Supreme, directed by Josh Safdie. He described how the film allowed him to explore themes of aspiration and ambition, stating, “Safdie empowered me to be something I would almost be wary of being in this world… to be openly aspirational and want to live out your dreams to huge heights.”
To conclude the evening, Chalamet and Sandler participated in a surprise two-on-two basketball game against fans, though they unfortunately lost. The encounter highlighted their camaraderie and shared interests, making for an entertaining night filled with laughter and memories.
