Tyler, the Creator, Kevin O’Leary and others cameo in Josh Safdie’s ‘Marty Supreme’

Josh Safdie’s new film Marty Supreme, a table tennis comedy starring Timothée Chalamet, includes a broad set of cameos from figures outside traditional acting circles, ranging from rapper Tyler, the Creator to investor Kevin O’Leary and former N.B.A. players. Casting director Jennifer Venditti, who said her work made the shortlist for the new Oscar category of best casting, assembled roughly 150 speaking roles by blending established actors with nonactors.

Venditti said Safdie wanted a 1950s look — "Josh was, like, obsessed with hair" — and avoided wigs, Mohawks, bright white teeth and shaved heads. The cameos include O’Leary as Milton Rockwell (he said he joined after a personal pitch from Safdie and that "I mean, I am Milton Rockwell today"); supermarket owner John Catsimatidis as Christopher Galanis; Abel Ferrara as Ezra Mishkin despite logistical issues because Ferrara was working in Italy; and Penn Jillette as a farmer after agreeing to a period haircut.

Tyler, the Creator appears with significant screen time as Wally, a taxi driver and Marty’s friend; Venditti said Safdie had long felt he had "an incredible face" for cinema and called him "a natural." Former N.B.A. players Tracy McGrady and Kemba Walker appear performing basketball roles arranged through a producer with basketball connections, and George "Iceman" Gervin plays a fictionalized Herwald Lawrence.

Key Topics

Culture, Marty Supreme, Josh Safdie, Timothée Chalamet, Kevin O'leary, John Catsimatidis