Rolling Stones Frontman Jokes About Dylan’s Absence, While Timothée Chalamet Pays Tribute to the Legendary Singer After Oscar Snub
Bob Dylan, the legendary musician whose career has spanned decades, made waves yet again at the 2025 Oscars, but not in the way many expected. The 83-year-old icon, who was invited to both present and perform at the 97th Academy Awards, turned down both offers, leaving Mick Jagger to step in as presenter for the highly coveted Best Original Song category.
Jagger, 81, who himself has been an enduring figure in music and entertainment, revealed the reason for Dylan’s absence during his onstage moment. “I wasn’t the first choice to give this award out,” Jagger joked as he presented the Oscar for Best Original Song, which was awarded to El Mal from Emilia Perez. “The producers wanted Bob Dylan to do it, but Bob didn’t want to.” He continued with a humorous quip, “Bob said, ‘The best songs in a movie this year were in A Complete Unknown,’” a nod to the biographical film about Dylan that had captivated audiences and garnered multiple Oscar nominations.
Jagger’s witty remarks didn’t stop there. “Bob said, ‘You should find somebody younger.’ I said, ‘OK, I’m younger. I’m younger than Bob, I’ll do it,’” he added, drawing laughter from the audience.
While Dylan’s absence was notable, the evening also saw A Complete Unknown—the film chronicling the life of the musician, with Timothée Chalamet portraying him—dominate conversations. Chalamet, 29, was nominated for Best Actor for his portrayal of Dylan, though the award ultimately went to Adrien Brody for his role in The Brutalist. Despite not taking home the Oscar, Chalamet paid homage to Dylan during his acceptance speech for his Screen Actors Guild Award in February. “I poured everything I had into portraying this incomparable artist, Mr. Bob Dylan, a true American hero,” Chalamet said, acknowledging the significance of playing such a complex and influential figure.
Though Dylan was absent from the Oscars stage, he had previously shown his support for Chalamet’s portrayal of him. The music legend took to X (formerly Twitter) in December 2024 to share his thoughts on the film. “Timmy’s a brilliant actor, so I’m sure he’s going to be completely believable as me. Or a younger me. Or some other me,” Dylan wrote, giving Chalamet a stamp of approval that left the actor in awe. “Floored. I am so grateful. Thank you, Bob,” Chalamet responded, clearly moved by the gesture.
Dylan’s reluctance to participate in the Oscars festivities comes as no surprise to many familiar with his reclusive nature. The singer-songwriter, who has consistently avoided the public eye in recent years, has kept a low profile since the release of A Complete Unknown. Despite this, the film’s director, James Mangold, shared that he had met with Dylan on several occasions before filming began, discussing the nuances of the iconic artist’s life. Chalamet even mentioned that Dylan provided insightful and often hilarious lines for the film that made their way into the script, further demonstrating the connection between the two artists.
Despite not attending the 2025 Oscars, Dylan’s influence loomed large over the evening, from Jagger’s humorous commentary to the continued reverence surrounding A Complete Unknown. Whether or not Dylan ever chooses to step back into the spotlight, his legacy as one of music’s greatest artists remains undeniable, and his absence from the Oscars only serves to add another layer of intrigue to the enigma that is Bob Dylan.
