Willem Dafoe

American actor

Also known as: William J. Dafoe

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Mar 11, 2024 • Article History

Willem Dafoe

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Category: Arts & Culture

Original name:: William J. Dafoe

Born:: July 22, 1955, Appleton, Wisconsin, U.S. (age 68)

Notable Family Members:: son of William Dafoe; married to Giada Colagrande (2005–present); father of Jack Dafoe (b. 1982)

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Recent News

Mar. 10, 2024, 5:03 AM ET (Yahoo News)

Pedro Pascal hails Willem Dafoe his 'greatest teacher' as star receives Hollywood Walk of Fame star

Mar. 7, 2024, 6:33 AM ET (Yahoo News)

Pedro Pascal says Willem Dafoe is 'greatest American actor in our lifetime'

Willem Dafoe (born July 22, 1955, Appleton, Wisconsin, U.S.) American actor known for his versatility and willingness to appear in controversial roles. Dafoe, the son of a surgeon and a nurse, was one of seven children. He studied theatre at the University of Wisconsin but left school to join Theater X, an experimental Wisconsin-based theatre troupe with which Dafoe toured for four years. In 1977 he moved to New York City and joined the Performance Group. There he met the actress and director Elizabeth LeCompte, who founded the deconstructionist theatre company the Wooster Group, with which Dafoe later performed. Dafoe ...(100 of 785 words)

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