Following the recent trend of biopics based on prominent figures in the music industry,A Complete Unknowntells the story of iconic singer/songwriter Bob Dylan, offering a dramatic, music-driven look at the beloved performer’s life. The film isdirected by James Mangold, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker who also directedWalk the Line, the 2005 biopic about Johnny Cash. Although it was only recently released,A Complete Unknownhas already made quite a splash, securing multiple nominations at the upcoming Golden Globes.
Of course, being a biopic, most of thecharacters inA Complete Unknownare 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 presentations of numerous major figures, both in the spotlight and behind the scenes. For those curious about whom theBob Dylan filmdecides to portray, these are all the people who you can expect to see depicted inA Complete Unknown.
14Bob Dylan
Portrayed By Timothée Chalamet
Obviously, the most prominent person depicted inA Complete Unknownis Bob Dylan himself. With a career that has now lasted for over sixty years, Dylan has been a prominent figure in the music industry for as long as many 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 tunes.
His unique musical style helped redefine what a folk song could be, offering a beautiful new sound that would evolve into countless iconic tunes.
InA Complete Unknown, which mainly takes place during the early days of his career, Dylan is portrayed by Timothée Chalamet. Chalamet has taken the film world by storm over the last decade, first establishing himself as a powerful actor with Luca Guadagnino’s 2017 film,Call Me By Your Name, for which he earned a nomination for theAcademy Award for Best Actor. Chalamet has since played prominent roles in many major films, includingLittle Women,Wonka, and theDunefranchise.
13Pete Seeger
Portrayed By Edward Norton
Another singer-songwriter with a prominent role inA Complete Unknownis Pete Seeger. Born in 1919, Seeger would grow up to be an icon in the world of folk music during the 1940s and ’50s.He served as a strong mentor to Bob Dylanwhen he was looking to launch his own career in the early ’60s, helping guide the up-and-coming artist to great success.
Seeger is portrayed by Edward Norton inA Complete Unknown. Norton has been a household name since the early days of his acting career in the 1990s. Over the years, he has received three Academy Award nominations, forPrimal Fear,American History X, andBirdman. Norton has worked on projects with many major directors, including David Fincher withFight Cluband Wes Andersonwith numerous films.
12Joan Baez
Portrayed By Monica Barbaro
Joan Baez is an innovative folk singer who had a close relationship, both artistically and romantically, with Dylan.Baez had risen to prominence in the music industry earlier than Dylan, but used her recognition to help boost his career, seeing that he had clear talent. The two performed together countless times over the years, although their romantic connection certainly dwindled over time. Baez is known for songs like “Diamonds & Rust” and “Farewell, Angelina.”
What Happened To Bob Dylan After A Complete Unknown
Bob Dylan went on to create more great rock music after a nearly decade-long break from touring following the events of A Complete Unknown.
InA Complete Unknown, Baez is portrayed by Monica Barbaro, a gifted performer still in the relatively early stages of her acting career. Barbaro began acting on television in the mid-2010s, having major roles in shows likeChicago P.D.andChicago Justice. She first began appearing in movies in the early 2020s, most notably with a supporting role inTop Gun: Maverick.
11Suze Rotolo (Depicted As “Sylvie Russo”)
Portrayed By Elle Fanning
One person whose identity has been slightly changed for the film is Suze Rotolo.Rotolo was Dylan’s girlfriend for a few years during the time in whichA Complete Unknowntakes place. In the film, however, the name of the character is changed to Sylvie Russo. Despite the name change, the character shown in the movie is quite similar to the real person in Dylan’s life, having an equally significant impact on his career.
The character of Russo is played by Elle Fanning inA Complete Unknown. Although she is only 26, Fanning has been acting since she was a young child, appearing in films likeThe Curious Case of Benjamin Buttonand theMaleficentseries. In 2022, she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for her starring role as Catherine the Great inThe Great.
10Johnny Cash
Portrayed By Boyd Holbrook
Having directedWalk the Lineback in 2005,A Complete Unknownactually marks the second time thatJames Mangold has directed a film in which Johnny Cash is a character. Known for his deep voice and sorrowful songs, Cash was a gifted singer-songwriter all the way up until his tragic death in 2003. Although not much was known about their connection at the time,Cash did become friends with Dylan during the ’60s, frequently exchanging letters back and forth.
A Complete Unknownhas a 77% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Cash was known for songs like “I Walk the Line” and “Folsom Prison Blues.” AlthoughCash was portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix inWalk the Line, Boyd Holbrook steps into the role forA Complete Unknown. Holbrook is perhaps best known for his major role in the Netflix series,Narcos. Recently, he appeared inIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, another film directed by Mangold.
9Woody 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, particularly with “This Land Is Your Land.” Although he tragically passed away in 1967 at only 55 years old, Guthrie’s legacy continues to be felt today, and his musical style and messages have become massive influences on numerous artists over the years. InA Complete Unknown, Guthrie appears in the late stages of his life.
Portraying such an iconic figure is no easy feat, but Scoot McNairy is up to the task inA Complete Unknown. The Texas-born actor has been appearing in a wide variety of movies and TV shows since the early 2000s, notably withArgo,Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, andNarcos: Mexico.
8Albert Grossman
Portrayed By Dan Fogler
One of the non-musicians to be portrayed inA Complete Unknownis Albert Grossman. Beginning in the 1950s,Grossman was a manager in the music business who worked with several high-profile artistsover the course of his decades-spanning career. Along with Dylan, Grossman worked with musicians like Bob Gibson and Janis Joplin. He founded Bearsville Records in the 1970s, further establishing himself as a powerful force in the folk music industry.
InA Complete Unknown, Grossman is played by Dan Fogler, an actor/writer who primarily specializes in comedy. Though not often playing lead roles, the Tony-winning actor has appeared in numerous projects over the last couple of decades, perhaps most notably in theFantastic Beastsfilm series, although he has also been featured on a wide range of television programs as well.
7Alan Lomax
Portrayed By Norbert Leo Butz
Although he was a talented musician himself, Alan Lomax’s most significant works were actually more akin to those of a historian.Much of his life was dedicated to obtaining high-quality recordings of various concerts and performances, allowing for a way to preserve a real account of what music was like in the mid-20th century, particularly in the folk scene. Lomax’s work has proved to be instrumental in maintaining the legacy of various gifted artists.
9 Ways A Complete Unknown Changes Bob Dylan’s Real Life
Even though A Complete Unknown is a biopic, the 2024 movie makes changes to the real life, relationships, and career of iconic singer Bob Dylan.
Lomax is portrayed by Norbert Leo Butz inA Complete Unknown. Although he is certainly no stranger to the world of film and television, Butz’s true home is onstage. Since the ’90s, he has appeared in productions of beloved shows likeRent,Cabaret, andWicked, in which he originated the role of Fiyero. Butz has won the Tony for Best Actor in a Musical twice.
6Harold Leventhal
Portrayed By P.J. Byrne
Harold Leventhal may not have been much of a musician himself, but it is hard to imagine folk music becoming the genre it is known as today without him.Leventhal was a manager who worked closely with tons of different artists, beginning with legends like Irving Berlin, Benny Goodman, and Frank Sinatra, before shifting his focus more specifically toward the folk genre. Many of the artists he worked with are also depicted inA Complete Unknown, including Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, and Woody Guthrie.
In the film, Leventhal’s role is played by P.J. Byrne. Though probably not the most immediately recognizable member of the cast, Byrne has had a long, wide-ranging career, which has included roles in many acclaimed projects. Some of his most prominent performances have been inThe Wolf of Wall Street,Final Destination 5, and as a voice actor in the TV series,The Legend of Korra.
5Bob Neuwirth
Portrayed By Will Harrison
No depiction 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 begun his own career in the folk music industry.The Ohio-born artist was a gifted performer with a guitar, banjo, harmonica, and, of course, his voice. Neuwirth even went on to collaborate with Janis Joplin years later, while also beginning to release his own series of solo albums starting in the 1970s.
Neuwirth is portrayed by Will Harrison inA Complete Unknown. The film serves as Harrison’s feature film debut. Prior toA Complete Unknown, Harrison played a lead role in the similarly music-driven TV miniseries,Daisy Jones and the Six. He also played a major part inManhunt, another miniseries released in 2024.
