Willem Dafoe

Willem Dafoe
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Name:
Willem Dafoe
Real name:
William James Dafoe
Who is:
Birth date:
(70 y.o.)
Place of birth:
Appleton, Wisconsin, U.S.
Height:
5'9 ft ()
Weight:
172 lb (78 kg)
Birth Sign:
(characteristic)
Chinese zodiac:
Links:

Biography of Willem Dafoe

Willem Dafoe is an American stage and film actor who has been nominated twice for an Oscar in the category of "Best Supporting Actor" (for the movies "Platoon" and "Shadow of the Vampire") and twice for an Oscar in the category of "Best Actor". Among his other notable films are: "To Live and Die in L.A.", "The Last Temptation of Christ", "The English Patient", "American Psycho", and "Spider-Man" from 2002.
Actor Willem Dafoe
Actor Willem Dafoe

Childhood and Youth

Willem was the seventh child in a large family headed by doctor William Alfred Dafoe and nurse Muriel Isabel. He hated being called Billy (a nickname for William), so he changed his name to Willem at the first opportunity.

The boy was nothing like his siblings and was the only one who pursued creativity (while the rest went into law and medicine). As a child, he was constantly joking and making faces to amuse those around him, which often got him out of difficult situations.
Willem Dafoe in his youth
Willem Dafoe in his youth
After high school, he enrolled in the University of Milwaukee's drama department, but dropped out after a year and a half to tour with the experimental youth theatre Theatre X, essentially becoming a traveling performer. Four years later, Willem settled in New York and landed a job at the Performance Group theater.
Willem Dafoe highlights from a 1975 Theatre X production
At the same time, Dafoe started trying to break into cinema. His first attempt was unsuccessful: the director simply cut his role during editing. But this didn't stop the ambitious young actor, and two years later, he made his mark in the film "Heaven's Gate" (1980). This was followed by roles in "Streets of Fire", "The Loveless", "To Live and Die in L.A.", and "The Hunger".

Acting Career

The actor shot to fame with his role in Oliver Stone's "Platoon," earning his first Oscar nomination. The death scene of his character, Sergeant Elias Grodin, became iconic and one of the most tragic in contemporary cinema.
Willem Dafoe as the Joker
Willem Dafoe as the Joker
In 1988, Martin Scorsese invited Dafoe to play Jesus in "The Last Temptation of Christ," which stirred mixed reactions in religious circles.
The Last Temptation of Christ - Tempted by Satan Scene
Over the next decade, Dafoe built an impressive roster of memorable characters. Dafoe's distinctive look made him perfect for playing villains, scoundrels, and killers. He collaborated with top Hollywood directors (David Cronenberg, Steve Buscemi, Troy Duffy, Paul Schrader, and others) and won numerous prestigious film awards.
Willem Dafoe in the movie Spider-Man
Willem Dafoe in the movie Spider-Man
In 2002, the blockbuster "Spider-Man" was released, instantly becoming a worldwide cinematic event. Dafoe wanted the Green Goblin role so badly that he recorded his own screen test and sent it to the director unsolicited. Sam Raimi was impressed and cast him in all three installments of the cult franchise.
Norman Osborn Mirror Scene - Spider-Man (2002)
In 2017, the actor appeared in the new adaptation of Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express" and earned a spot on Vulture's top three actors list for his role in "The Florida Project,"
Willem Dafoe Breaks Down His Most Iconic Characters
2018 brought Dafoe a series of premieres, including "Aquaman" with Amber Heard, Jason Momoa and Nicole Kidman, and "At Eternity's Gate," where Dafoe played the role of the great artist. For the latter performance, Dafoe was nominated for an Oscar as Best Actor.

In 2019, Dafoe appeared in Edward Norton's "Motherless Brooklyn," acting alongside Norton and Alec Baldwin. That same year, Dafoe took the lead in "Siberia."
Siberia (2020) - Willem Dafoe Dancing Scene
Dafoe also starred in the cult hit "The Lighthouse" (2019) alongside Robert Pattinson. Director Robert Eggers crafted one of the decade's most bizarre horror films.
Robert Pattinson & Willem Dafoe talk The Lighthouse
In 2020, Dafoe appeared in the film "The Last Thing He Wanted" with Anne Hathaway. He was simultaneously juggling "Zack Snyder's Justice League," "Nightmare Alley" with Cate Blanchett, and Wes Anderson's "The French Dispatch." He also reprised his role as the Green Goblin in "Spider-Man: No Way Home" (2021).
The Green Goblin Returns - Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

Personal Life of Willem Dafoe

Willem's first wife was director Elizabeth LeCompte, whom he met at the Performance Group theater.
Willem Dafoe and Elizabeth LeCompte
Willem Dafoe and Elizabeth LeCompte
They lived together for twenty-seven years, raising their son Jack (born in 1982). Willem proposed multiple times, but she valued her independence too much. They eventually separated but stayed on good terms.
Willem Dafoe and his son Jack
Willem Dafoe and his son Jack
In 2004 in Rome, Willem met actress and director Giada Colagrande. The passionate Italian swept Dafoe off his feet. Now, the couple lives between New York and Rome, traveling a lot, practicing yoga, working together on projects, and feeling absolutely happy.
Willem Dafoe and Giada Colagrande
Willem Dafoe and Giada Colagrande

Willem Dafoe Now

Today, Dafoe's filmography boasts over a hundred successful works, and the actor shows no signs of slowing down. In 2023, he appeared in six feature-length projects. Most notably, there's the thriller "Inside", where Dafoe plays robber Nemo trapped in a "smart" penthouse without food or water, keeping audiences on edge until the final frames.
Willem Dafoe in the movie "Inside"
Willem Dafoe in the movie "Inside"
Willem also starred in Yorgos Lanthimos' indie film "Poor Things" alongside Emma Stone, Saverio Costanzo's drama "Long-Awaited Dawn", Wes Anderson's "Asteroid City," and Patricia Arquette's "Gonzo Girl". However, Dafoe didn't appear in blockbuster "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom", despite playing the main character's mentor, Nuidis Vulko, in the first film. The movie's director, James Wan, explained this was due to the actor's busy schedule.
Willem Dafoe on Poor Things Oscar buzz, iconic Spider-Man role
In early 2024, Willem Dafoe received his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He also continued working on the films "Beetlejuice 2", "Nosferatu", and "Tropico".
Willem Dafoe and his star on the Walk of Fame
Willem Dafoe and his star on the Walk of Fame

Willem Dafoe: latest news and articles

  • Defoe is something, although it looks like a skeleton, it`s still a VERY interesting type :) I respect this actor
    2021-05-18 14:07:18
  • He looked stupid in Aquaman, and it was as if they were made young, although it is clear that the man is an adult
    2021-04-28 09:49:20
  • His appearance is very memorable and characteristic. Cool actor
    2021-04-12 20:11:19
  • Defoe usually plays «bad» roles, but his pure appearance is appropriate :)
    2021-04-04 19:00:16
  • One of my favorite actors. Moreover, his choice of roles is not quite standard. All roles are not easy.
    2021-02-21 20:07:20
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