Kevin O’Leary Stars as Villain in A24’s ‘Marty Supreme’

LOS ANGELES, CA – Kevin O’Leary, known as Mr. Wonderful on Shark Tank, makes a striking acting debut in the A24 film Marty Supreme, directed by Josh Safdie. The film premiered on December 25, 2025, and is quickly gaining attention for its unique blend of competitive Ping-Pong and drama.

In this film, O’Leary portrays Milton Rockwell, a wealthy CEO of a pen company set in the 1950s. Despite having no prior acting experience, O’Leary’s character embodies the traits he is known for: arrogance, political insensitivity, and a ruthless business mindset.

Safdie and co-writer Ronald Bronstein reportedly approached O’Leary directly, with a script that required little preparation. O’Leary shared, “They told me, ‘We need a real asshole, and you’re it,'” highlighting the film’s reliance on his established public persona.

The plot centers around Marty Mauser, played by Timothée Chalamet, and his chance encounter with Rockwell at a Ping-Pong championship in London. As Mauser seeks to enhance his chances to compete in Tokyo, he finds himself entangled in a morally dubious deal with the wealthy businessman.

O’Leary’s memorable scenes include a particularly outrageous moment where he spanks Chalamet’s character with a Ping-Pong paddle, a sequence O’Leary called a “pivotal scene of humiliation.” He expressed his admiration for Chalamet, who insisted on doing the scene without a stunt double. “I was really whacking him,” O’Leary recalled, describing the lengthy process that involved up to 40 takes.

Critics are lauding the film, with early box office figures revealing it has grossed $17.4 million, sparking Oscar buzz for Chalamet’s performance. Having been noted for his clever and acerbic remarks on Shark Tank, O’Leary seems to be well-suited to the role of Rockwell, turning his character into a memorable performance that resonates with audiences.

Since taking on this project, O’Leary has expressed a willingness to explore other opportunities in acting, as long as they meet the same storytelling standards as Marty Supreme. “It’s the story at the end of the day,” he stated. “If the story isn’t good, how could the movie be good?”