Nicole Flender: Mother, Real Estate Agent, and Broadway Talent

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Nicole Flender, known as the mother of Hollywood stars Timothée and Pauline Chalamet, is carving her own path as a successful real estate agent and Broadway talent.

Flender’s connection to the entertainment industry extends beyond her children, who have made significant strides in their acting careers. Timothée, a two-time Oscar nominee, gained fame for his roles in films like ‘Call Me by Your Name,’ while Pauline has recently starred in HBO Max’s series ‘The Sex Lives of College Girls.’

For nearly a decade, Flender has been with the prestigious Corcoran real estate firm in New York City. Her career in real estate began when her husband, Marc Chalamet, a French journalist currently working for the U.N., found a Groupon deal for courses at the New York Real Estate Institute. At that time, Flender was working as a dance teacher in public schools, with her children gradually transitioning into their acting careers.

Flender’s family history is steeped in the arts. Her father, Harold, was a comedian and novelist, with one of his works, ‘Paris Blues,’ adapted into a film featuring Sidney Poitier. Meanwhile, her mother, Enid, was a Broadway dancer who helped shape Flender’s love for performance. Additionally, her brother Rodman achieved fame as a child star before becoming a writer and director.

In the 1970s, Flender and her family were pioneers in a unique urban community, being among the first residents of Manhattan Plaza—a subsidized housing complex in Hell’s Kitchen designed for performing artists through the city’s Mitchell-Lama program. Notably, among their neighbors were the then-unknown Larry David and comedian Kenny Kramer, who inspired a character on ‘Seinfeld.’

Despite her impressive personal achievements, Flender often directs attention to her children’s accomplishments. She expressed her pride and excitement upon Timothée winning the Screen Actors Guild Award for his performance in ‘A Complete Unknown.’ “It’s just incredible because I was with him from the start,” Flender said, reflecting on her son’s journey. “I’m so happy. I’m so proud.”

Flender has made her own mark in the performing arts as well. A former dancer with the New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center, she has participated in several Broadway musicals. In addition to her real estate career, she is a passionate advocate for stage performers, serving as an officer of Actors’ Equity Association. In this role, she represents over 50,000 actors across the country and is a voting member for the prestigious Tony Awards.

Nicole Flender’s multifaceted career and rich family history illustrate a life dedicated to the arts, both behind the scenes and on stage, proving she is an accomplished figure in her own right.