Following the recent trend of biopics based on prominent music industry figures A complete stranger tells the story of iconic singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, offering a dramatic and musical insight into the beloved artist's life. The film is directed by James Mangold, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker who also directed Walk the linethe 2005 biopic about Johnny Cash. Although it was recently released, A complete stranger It has already been successful, securing several nominations for the next Golden Globes.
Of course, being a biopic, most of the characters A complete stranger are based on other real people, not just Dylan himself. The film takes a deep dive into what the music industry was like in the 1960s, offering performances from numerous important figures both in the spotlight and behind the scenes. For anyone curious about who the Bob Dylan movie decides to portray, these are all the people you can expect to see portrayed in A complete stranger.
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Bob Dylan
Portrayed by Timothée Chalamet
Obviously, the most prominent person portrayed in A complete stranger It's Bob Dylan himself. With a career that has spanned over sixty years, Dylan has been a prominent figure in the music industry for as long as most people can remember. His unique musical style helped redefine what a folk song could be, offering a beautiful new sound that would evolve into countless iconic songs.
In A complete strangerwhich takes place mainly in the early days of his career, Dylan is played by Timothée Chalamet. Chalamet has taken the film world by storm over the past decade, first establishing himself as a powerhouse actor with Luca Guadagnino's 2017 film, Call me by your namefor which he received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. Since then, Chalamet has played prominent roles in many important films, including Little Women, Wonkaand the Dune franchise.
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Peter Seeger
Portrayed by Edward Norton
Another singer and composer with a prominent role in A complete stranger It's Pete Seeger. Born in 1919, Seeger grew up to become an icon in the world of folk music during the 1940s and 1950s. He served as a strong mentor to Bob Dylan when he aimed to launch his own career in the early '60s, helping guide the emerging artist to great success.
Seeger is played by Edward Norton in A complete stranger. Norton has been a household name since the early days of his acting career in the 1990s. Over the years, he has received three Oscar nominations, for Primal Fear, American Historyand Birdman. Norton has worked on projects with many top directors, including David Fincher with Fight Club and Wes Anderson with countless films.
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Joana Báez
Portrayed by Mônica Bárbaro
Joan Baez is an innovative folk singer who had a close relationship, both artistically and romantically, with Dylan. Baez rose to prominence in the music industry before Dylan, but used her recognition to help boost his career, as he had clear talent. The two have performed together numerous times over the years, although their romantic connection has certainly waned over time. Baez is known for songs like “Diamonds & Rust” and “Farewell, Angelina.”
In A complete strangerBaez is played by Monica Barbaro, a talented performer still in the relatively early stages of her acting career. Barbaro began acting on television in the mid-2010s, having important roles in programs such as Chicago Police and Chicago Justice. She began appearing in films in early 2020, most notably with a supporting role in Top Gun: Maverick.
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Suze Rotolo (portrayed as "Sylvie Russo")
Portrayed by Elle Fanning
One person whose identity was slightly changed for the film is Suze Rotolo. Rotolo was Dylan's girlfriend for a few years, during the period when A complete stranger it happens. In the film, however, the character's name is changed to Sylvie Russo. Despite the name change, the character shown in the film is very similar to the real person in Dylan's life, having an equally significant impact on his career.
The character Russo is played by Elle Fanning in A complete stranger. Although she is only 26 years old, Fanning has been acting since she was a child, appearing in films such as The curious case of Benjamin Button and the Maleficent series. In 2022, she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for her role as Catherine the Great in The Great.
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Johnny Cash
Portrayed by Boyd Holbrook
Having directed Walk the line in 2005, A complete stranger in fact, it marks the second time that James Mangold has directed a film in which Johnny Cash is a character. Known for his deep voice and mournful songs, Cash was a talented singer and songwriter until his tragic death in 2003. Although not much was known about their connection at the time, Cash became friends with Dylan during the '60s, frequently exchanging letters. Cash was known for songs like "I Walk the Line" and "Folsom Prison Blues."
Although Cash was played by Joaquin Phoenix in Walk the lineBoyd Holbrook takes on the role of A complete stranger. Holbrook is perhaps best known for his starring role in the Netflix series, Narcos. He recently appeared on Indiana Jones and the Fate Dialanother film directed by Mangold.
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Woody Guthrie
Portrayed by Scoot McNairy
In the world of folk music, few names are more recognizable than Woody Guthrie. Guthrie wrote and performed songs that truly helped define an entire chapter in American history, especially with “This Land Is Your Land.” Although he tragically passed away in 1967 at just 55 years old, Guthrie's legacy continues to be felt today, and his musical style and messages have become major influences on numerous artists over the years. In A complete strangerGuthrie appears in the final stages of his life.
Portraying such an iconic figure is no easy task, but Scoot McNairy is up to the task in A complete stranger. The Texas-born actor has appeared in a wide variety of films and TV shows since the early 2000s, most notably with Argo, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justiceand Narcos: Mexico.
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Albert Grossman
Portrayed by Dan Fogler
One of the non-musicians portrayed in A complete stranger It's Albert Grossman. Beginning in the 1950s, Grossman was a manager in the music business who worked with several prominent artists over his decades-long career. Along with Dylan, Grossman worked with musicians such as Bob Gibson and Janis Joplin. He founded Bearsville Records in the 1970s, further establishing himself as a powerful force in the folk music industry.
In A complete strangerGrossman is played by Dan Fogler, an actor/writer who specializes primarily in comedy. Although he doesn't often play leading roles, the Tony-winning actor has appeared in several projects over the past few decades, perhaps most notably in Fantastic Beasts film series, although he has also appeared in a wide variety of television programs.
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Alan Lomax
Portrayed by Norbert Leo Butz
Although he was an accomplished musician himself, Alan Lomax's most significant works were actually more akin to those of a historian. A large part of his life was dedicated to obtaining high quality recordings of various concerts and shows, allowing us to preserve a real account of what music was like in the mid-20th century, particularly in the folk scene. Lomax's work has proven instrumental in maintaining the legacy of several talented artists.
Lomax is played by Norbert Leo Butz in A complete stranger. While he's certainly no stranger to the world of film and television, Butz's true home is the stage. Since the 1990s, he has appeared in productions of beloved shows like Rent, Cabaretand Evilin which he originated the role of Fiyero. Butz won the Tony for Best Actor in a Musical twice.
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Harold Leventhal
Portrayed by PJ Byrne
Harold Leventhal may not have been a great musician, but it's hard to imagine folk music becoming the genre it's known as today without him. Leventhal was a businessman who worked closely with a number of different artists, starting with legends such as Irving Berlin, Benny Goodman, and Frank Sinatra, before shifting his focus more specifically to the folk genre. Many of the artists he worked with are also portrayed in A complete strangerincluding Joan Baez, Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie.
In the film, the role of Leventhal is played by PJ Byrne. While probably not the most immediately recognizable member of the cast, Byrne has had a long and wide-ranging career that has included roles in many acclaimed projects. Some of his most prominent performances were in The Wolf of Wall Street, Final Destination 5and as a voice actor in the TV series, The Legend of Korra.
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Bob Neuwirth
Portrayed by Will Harrison
No description of Dylan's story would be complete without introducing his close friend and road manager, Bob Neuwirth. Before meeting Dylan in the early '60s, Neuwirth had already started his own career in the folk music industry. The Ohio-born artist was a talented artist with guitar, banjo, harmonica and, of course, his voice. Neuwirth even collaborated with Janis Joplin years later, while also beginning to release his own series of solo albums beginning in the 1970s.
Neuwirth is played by Will Harrison in A complete stranger. The film is Harrison's film debut. Before A complete strangerHarrison played a lead role in the TV miniseries with similar music, Daisy Jones and the Six. He also played an important role Manhuntanother miniseries released in 2024.
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Toshi Seeger
Portrayed by Eriko Hatsune
With Pete Seeger playing such a large role in the film, it only makes sense that his wife, Toshi Seeger, would also appear. The two, who married in 1943, remained together until Toshi's death in 2013. During their time together, Toshi Seeger became an acclaimed filmmaker and an accomplished environmental activist. The two have worked together in almost every aspect of their lives, with Toshi even winning an Emmy in 2007 for a documentary she made about her husband and his music.
In A complete strangerToshi Seeger is played by Japanese actress Eriko Hatsune. She made her film debut as the star of the 2000 horror film, Uzumaki. In 2012, she starred alongside Matthew Fox and Tommy Lee Jones in the historical drama Emperor.
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Al Kooper
Portrayed by Charlie Tahan
Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Al Kooper's impact could be felt throughout the music industry in many ways. Kooper was a multitalented musician, able to play an impressive array of instruments with great skill. He even played organ on "Like a Rolling Stone," the song from which A complete stranger receives its title. In addition to his work with Dylan, Kooper has also collaborated with artists including Alice Cooper, The Who and the Rolling Stones.
The role of Al Kooper is played by Charlie Tahan in the film. Even though he's just 26 years old, Tahan has already had a pretty impressive career. On television, he played important roles in Gotham and Ozarksbetween others. In cinema, he appeared alongside Will Smith in I am a legendas main voice actor in Frankenweenieand many other projects.
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Dave Van Ronk
Portrayed by Joe Tippett
Dave Van Ronk was an instrumental figure in the folk music revival that peaked in the 1960s. Although he explored several other genres throughout his career, it was in folk music that he excelled, even earning the nickname “The Mayor of MacDougal Street” for his contributions to the region’s music scene. Van Ronk was highly praised by Dylan, who became his great friend over the years.
To play against Van Ronk, the team behind A complete stranger turned to Joe Tippett. Tippett began his acting career in 2006 and has since explored a variety of roles in film, television and theater. Some of his most recognized roles to date have been in Easttown mare and several theatrical performances of the hit musical, Waitress.
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John Hammond
Portrayed by David Alan Basche
Often times, the unsung heroes of the music industry are talent scouts. These individuals are responsible for finding new artists with the potential to become huge phenomenons, having the power to shape the entire industry. One of those scouts who will go down in history is John Hammond. When not working as a civil rights activist, Hammond served as a talent scout. His hard work led to the discovery of many groundbreaking artists, including Aretha Franklin, Bruce Springsteen and, of course, Bob Dylan.
In A complete strangerHammond is played by David Alan Basche. Basche gained widespread recognition for her performance in Paul Greengrass's 2006 film United 93. Additionally, he has appeared in minor roles in a variety of films, TV shows, and stage productions at various levels.