Timothée Chalamet Returns to LaGuardia High School with Heartfelt Advice: “Welcome Home”

The Oscar-nominated actor surprises students at his alma mater with a candid talk on acting, gratitude, and the power of mentorship — reuniting with beloved teachers who helped shape his journey.

Timothée Chalamet returned to where it all began — his alma mater, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York City — for a surprise visit that left students starstruck and inspired.

On Wednesday, the Dune and A Complete Unknown star walked into a Career Management class at the prestigious performing arts school, catching students completely off guard. “When you have a guest speaker for your Career Management class… and Timothée Chalamet walks in the room… you know it’s going to be a great day,” the school shared on Instagram, alongside photos from the visit.

Chalamet, who graduated from LaGuardia in 2013, was warmly welcomed back by his former teachers — Harry Shifman, Sandy Faison, and Kim Bruno — and was quick to acknowledge the lasting impact they had on his career. He spent the afternoon reuniting with them, taking photos with current students, and delivering candid advice to aspiring actors who now sit in the very same classrooms he once did.

“Welcome home,” the school posted, echoing the emotion of the visit.

The acclaimed actor, who recently earned his second Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, has never been shy about crediting LaGuardia for shaping his path. Speaking to Anderson Cooper on 60 Minutes earlier this year, Chalamet said: “[LaGuardia] was a fantastic place for me to go. It totally shaped who I am and who I was. I just felt like I could be however I wanted to be.”

Chalamet also revealed that he remains close with Shifman, his former drama teacher — even going so far as to bring him the script for A Complete Unknown to get his input. “I said that to Shif, ‘If I would have had to go to a different high school, I wouldn’t have been an actor,’” Chalamet shared. “He said, ‘Oh, you would have found your way to it.’ I really don’t know.”

Shifman, for his part, called Chalamet a prodigy. “I do think everyone can develop their creativity. But not everybody is Mozart,” he told Cooper. “I think he has beautiful gifts, and a kind heart, and a willingness to really work hard… It’s pretty impressive.”

During his visit, Chalamet underscored the importance of following one’s passion, staying grounded, and never underestimating the value of a supportive environment — something he says LaGuardia gave him in abundance.

With his humility, gratitude, and generosity of spirit on full display, Chalamet’s return to LaGuardia was more than just a celebrity drop-in — it was a full-circle moment that reminded everyone in the room that dreams take flight in familiar hallways.