Matt Dillon got his start in a string of rebellious adolescent flicks (
Over the Edge,
Tex,
Rumble Fish) that turned him into a teen idol, a sort of 1980s James Dean. But by the decade's end, he set out to reinvent himself with more adult roles, starting with his portrayal of a junkie in 1989's
Drugstore Cowboy. His work in the 1990s proved he was a capable character actor as he tackled a variety of big-screen supporting roles, including 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
City of Ghosts. In 2005, after a quarter century of steady 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. Off screen, Dillon is a board member of Refugees International and supporter of the humanitarian organization GOAL USA.
Matt Dillon Fast Facts:
- Was named after the protagonist in Gunsmoke.
- 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:
- Mary Ellen Dillon - Mother
- Cameron Diaz - Ex-significant Other
- Paul Dillon - Father
- Alex Raymond - Great-uncle
- Paul Dillon Jr. - Brother
- Brian Dillon - Brother
- Kevin Dillon - Brother
- Tim Dillon - Brother
- Kate Scholz - Sister
- Matt Dillon Awards:
- 2005 BAFTA Awards: Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Nominee
- 2005 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture - Winner
- 2005 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role - Nominee
- 2006 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture - Nominee
- 2005 Oscar: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role - Nominee