Willem Dafoe Biography: Age, Wife, Net Worth, Parents, Siblings, Movies, Children, Awards

William James “Willem” Dafoe is a highly acclaimed American actor celebrated for his remarkable versatility across mainstream and independent films.

Over his illustrious career, he has earned four Academy Award nominations, including his performances in Platoon (1986) and Shadow of the Vampire (2000).

Dafoe is widely recognized for his iconic roles in Spider-Man (2002–2007) and The Florida Project (2017).

A founding member of the experimental theatre company The Wooster Group, Dafoe has appeared in over 100 films and earned numerous accolades, including the prestigious Honorary Golden Bear award at the Berlin International Film Festival 2018.

Profile

• Full Name: William James Dafoe
• Stage Name: Willem Dafoe
• Born: July 22, 1955
• Age: 69 years old
• Birthplace: Appleton, Wisconsin, United States.
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: American actor
• Height: 1.70 m
• Parent: Muriel Isabel and Dr William Alfred Dafoe.
• Siblings: Donald Dafoe
• Spouse: Giada Colagrande (m. 2005)
• Partner: Elizabeth LeCompte
• Children: Jack Dafoe
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $40 million

Early Life And Education

William James Dafoe, known as Willem Dafoe, was born on July 22, 1955, in Appleton, Wisconsin, United States. He is the son of Muriel Isabel (née Sprissler), a nurse, and Dr. William Alfred Dafoe, a gastrointestinal surgeon. Dafoe grew up in a supportive household alongside his brother, Donald Dafoe, who later became a surgeon.

Dafoe attended Appleton East High School before pursuing drama studies at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, where his passion for acting flourished. He has mixed ancestry, including German, English, Irish, Northern Irish, Scottish, and distant Swiss-French and French heritage. At the same time, his religious beliefs have not been publicly disclosed.  

Career

Willem Dafoe began his career in the late 1970s as a founding member of The Wooster Group, an experimental theatre company in New York City. His film debut came with an uncredited role in Heaven’s Gate (1980), followed by a leading part in The Loveless (1981).

Dafoe gained critical recognition with To Live and Die in L.A. (1985) and earned his first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in Platoon (1986), where he portrayed a compassionate army sergeant. His early work established him as a versatile actor known for his intensity and commitment to challenging roles.

In the 2000s, Dafoe seamlessly balanced blockbusters and independent films. He gained international fame as Norman Osborn/Green Goblin in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy (2002–2007) and reprised the role in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021).

His portrayal of Max Schreck in Shadow of the Vampire (2000) earned him a second Oscar nomination. Other highlights include voicing Gill in Pixar’s Finding Nemo (2003) and working with auteurs like Lars von Trier in Antichrist (2009) and Wes Anderson in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004).

Dafoe has received four Academy Award nominations, including for Shadow of the Vampire (2000), The Florida Project (2017), and At Eternity’s Gate (2018), where he portrayed Vincent van Gogh.

His diverse filmography includes The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), Wild at Heart (1990), The Lighthouse (2019), and recent projects like Poor Things (2023) and Nosferatu (2024). Dafoe’s ability to transform into complex characters has made him one of the most respected actors in the industry.

Upcoming projects highlight Dafoe’s continued range. He will play Maxim in the A24 fantasy adventure film The Legend of Ochi (2025) and star in adaptations of Walter Mosley’s The Man in My Basement and Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme.

He also voiced a character in Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron (2023). Dafoe remains a dynamic force in mainstream and independent cinema, having had a career spanning over four decades.

Awards and Nominations

Willem Dafoe has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including:

• Academy Awards: 4 nominations (Best Supporting Actor for Platoon, Shadow of the Vampire, The Florida Project; Best Actor for At Eternity’s Gate).
• Golden Globe Awards: 4 nominations.
• BAFTA Awards: 1 nomination.
• Independent Spirit Awards: 2 wins, four nominations.
• Venice Film Festival: 1 win, one nomination (Volpi Cup).
• Berlin International Film Festival: 1 win (Honorary Golden Bear).

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @willemdafoe
• Facebook handle: Willem Dafoe
• Twitter handle: @WillemDafoe

Personal Life

Willem Dafoe has married Italian filmmaker Giada Colagrande since March 25, 2005. The couple met in Rome in 2004 and had a spontaneous wedding with just two witnesses.

Giada, 21 years younger than Dafoe, is known for her films Before It Had a Name and A Woman, which she collaborated on with her husband. Dafoe has one son, Jack, from his previous relationship with director Elizabeth LeCompte. However, he and Giada do not have children together.

Filmography

• Heaven’s Gate (1980)
• Platoon (1986)
• The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
• Spider-Man series (2002–2021)
• Finding Nemo (2003)
• The Florida Project (2017)
• At Eternity’s Gate (2018)
• Nightmare Alley (2021)
• Poor Things (2023)
• Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)

Net Worth

Willem Dafoe’s net Worth is estimated at $40 million as of 2024. His wealth stems from a successful acting career, with notable roles in films like Platoon, Spider-Man, and The Florida Project.

In addition to his live-action work, Dafoe has also lent his voice to animated films and collaborated with renowned directors, further boosting his financial success.