Dillon's furrowed brow and soulful eyes were featured in a string of rebellious adolescent flicks (
Over the Edge,
Tex,
Rumble Fish) that turned him into a teen idol, a sort of '80s James Dean. But unlike many of his contemporaries — notably his
Outsiders' costar Tom Cruise — his career as a leading man stalled as the decade wore on. The pretty boy reinvented himself in the '90s as a capable character actor, tackling a variety of big-screen supporting roles and faring especially well in comedies, including his hilarious turns as a dimwit Hollywood star in
In & Out and an unscrupulous private eye with unforgettable teeth in
There's Something About Mary. Despite his busy acting schedule, he tried his hand behind the camera as the writer-director-star of 2002's little-seen
City of Ghosts. In 2005, after a quarter century of steady if not critically acclaimed work, Dillon earned the respect of his peers as well as Oscar and Golden Globe nods for his performance as a racist cop in
Crash.
Matt Dillon Fast Facts:- Was discovered by casting director Vic Ramos at age 14 while cutting class, which landed him a role in Over the Edge (1979).
- Won the Independent Spirit Award for his role in 1989's Drugstore Cowboy.
- Co-owner of two New York City hot spots, The Whiskey, a bar located in the Paramount Hotel, and The Falls restaurant.
- Collects French and American antiques.
- Matt Dillon Relationships:
- Brian Dillon - Brother
- Cameron Diaz - Ex-significant Other
- Kate Scholz - Sister
- Kevin Dillon - Brother
- Mary Ellen Dillon - Mother
- Paul Dillon - Father
- Paul Dillon Jr. - Brother
- Tim Dillon - Brother
- Matt Dillon Awards:
- 2005 Oscar: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role - Nominee
- 2006 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture - Nominee
