Hollywood star Timothée Chalamet has been given a glowing endorsement of his table tennis skills by one of Britain's top players, who worked with him on the set of his new film.
From Hollywood Set to Table Tennis Prodigy
Josh Bennett, a leading British table tennis talent who appears as an extra in the new blockbuster Marty Supreme, has revealed that lead actor Timothée Chalamet possesses plenty of natural talent for the sport. Bennett was on hand to give the A-list actor table tennis tips during filming and was immediately impressed by his ability.
Chalamet's dedication to table tennis is no mere film-set affectation. The actor has been taking lessons for the past seven years, starting at a 24-hour facility in Lower Manhattan. His commitment deepened during the COVID-19 pandemic when he removed his living-room furniture to install a full table tennis set-up.
Even as his star power soared post-pandemic, Chalamet found ways to continue practising globally. He secured a table in London while shooting Wonka and used facilities in Budapest and Jordan during the production of Dune: Part Two. This dedication proved invaluable for his role as the narcissistic table tennis prodigy Marty Mauser.
A Star's Verdict on Chalamet's Game
Josh Bennett, who witnessed Chalamet's skills first-hand, provided a detailed assessment. "From the first moment I saw him on set, I could tell this wasn't someone starting from scratch," Bennett said. "His touch, footwork and understanding of the sport were at an impressive level."
Bennett emphasised that the actor's years of private practice translate seamlessly to the screen. "The dedication he's shown to keep playing wherever he is in the world for the past seven years really comes through on screen and all those years of practice mean he looks completely authentic," he added.
The film, Marty Supreme, is a stylised sports comedy-drama set in the 1950s. It follows Mauser's obsessive, high-stakes journey from hustling in New York to competing on the world stage in London and Japan. The character is loosely inspired by real-life table tennis legend Marty Reisman. The film is now showing in UK cinemas.
A Landmark Year for Table Tennis in London
The release of Marty Supreme coincides with a landmark moment for the sport in the UK. The ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals are set to take place in London this year, with Josh Bennett confirmed to take part.
The event marks 100 years since the first World Championships were held in the capital. Teams will compete over 13 days at two iconic venues: the Copper Box Arena from 28 April to 1 May 2026, and the OVO Arena Wembley from 2-10 May 2026. Tickets are now available, offering fans a chance to witness this historic sporting occasion.
This convergence of cinematic celebration and world-class sporting action promises to shine a significant spotlight on table tennis, demonstrating its appeal from the silver screen to the competitive arena.
