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Willem Dafoe Biography

Birth Name:
Willem Dafoe
Birth Place:
Appleton, Wisconsin, United States
Profession
Actor

Fast Facts

  • Born William, and known as Bill in his youth, but began going by Willem in high school
  • Left college to join Milwaukee-based Theatre X, which was one of the longest-running experimental theater groups in the country when it disbanded in 2004
  • In the late 1970s, joined the Wooster Group, an experimental theater group in New York City; its founding members included Spalding Gray and Elizabeth LeCompte, with whom Dafoe had a 27-year relationship (and one son)
  • Was briefly considered for the role of the Joker in Tim Burton's 1989 Batman film
  • Provided the voice for James Bond's nemesis Nikolai Diavolo in the video game James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing

Awards

  • 2020Independent Spirit Awards-Best Supporting Male: winner
  • 2019Critics' Choice Awards-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2019Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 2018Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2018Critics' Choice Awards-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2018Venice Film Festival-Best Actor: winner
  • 2018BAFTA Film Awards-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2017Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2017Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2017Critics' Choice Awards-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2014Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2011AACTA Awards-Best Lead Actor: nominated
  • 2010Robert Awards-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2010Bodil Awards-Best Actor in a Leading Role: winner
  • 2005Critics' Choice Awards-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
  • 2001Independent Spirit Awards-Best Supporting Male: winner
  • 2001Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2000Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2000Los Angeles Film Critics Association-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2000Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1996Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1991Independent Spirit Awards-Best Supporting Male: nominated
  • 1987Independent Spirit Awards-Best Male Lead: nominated
  • 1986Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated

Relationships