When Timothée Chalamet needed to embody music legend Bob Dylan in the Oscar-nominated film A Complete Unknown, veteran guitarist Larry Saltzman became his secret weapon. With over 50 sessions spanning three years – including intense Zoom rehearsals during COVID lockdowns – Saltzman molded Chalamet into a convincing Dylan clone, complete with fingerpicking techniques and rare song selections.
Saltzman’s unique expertise bridges Broadway and Hollywood. The 69-year-old musician has coached stars like Meryl Streep for Ricki and the Flash and Adam Driver for House of Gucci, helping actors achieve musical authenticity that elevates their performances.
Faking it just won’t do for serious actors,Saltzman told AP. The audience spots phoniness instantly – it’s like lip-syncing your own life.
For Chalamet’s transformative role, the stakes were particularly high:
- 25+ Dylan songs to master, including deep cuts not in the final script
- Simultaneous singing and guitar playing for extended scenes
- Recreating Dylan’s iconic 1960s folk revival mannerisms
The grueling preparation paid off when Chalamet stunned audiences with authentic Dylan covers during his Saturday Night Live hosting debut last December. Saltzman credits the actor’s dedication:
Timothée unearthed obscure Dylan tracks even I hadn’t heard. He didn’t just learn chords – he absorbed Dylan’s creative DNA.
Unlike traditional music teachers, Saltzman focuses on character-driven coaching. For Johnny Cannizzaro’s role as Steven Van Zandt in the upcoming Springsteen biopic, Saltzman analyzed hours of E Street Band footage to replicate Van Zandt’s signature playing style. This attention to detail helps actors merge technical skill with emotional truth.
As Hollywood prioritizes biographical accuracy in films like Bohemian Rhapsody and Elvis, Saltzman’s niche expertise grows increasingly valuable. Nearly 40% of his income now comes from actor coaching – a trend he attributes to streaming-era audiences demanding flawless musical portrayals.
When the Oscars spotlight shines on A Complete Unknown this Sunday, Saltzman will watch knowing his work helped power cinema magic.
I’m just a small gear in the machinery,he muses, but seeing Timothėe’s performance? That’s the real reward.
