Cast & creator
Willem Dafoe
Best known for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
William James "Willem" Dafoe (/dəˈfoʊ/ də-FOH; born July 22, 1955) is an American actor. Known for his prolific career portraying diverse roles in both mainstream and arthouse films, he is the recipient of various accolades, including a Volpi Cup Award for Best Actor, with nominations for four Academy Awards, a British Academy Film Award, and four Golden Globe Awards. He received an Honorary Golden Bear in 2018. Born in Appleton, Wisconsin, Dafoe made his film debut with an uncredited role in Heaven's Gate (1980). He is known for collaborating with both mainstream and auteur filmmakers, including Paul Schrader, Abel Ferrara, Sam Raimi, Yorgos Lanthimos, Lars von Trier, Julian Schnabel, Andrew Stanton, Wes Anderson, and Robert Eggers. He received Academy Award nominations for playing a compassionate army sergeant in the war drama Platoon (1986), Max Schreck in the mystery film Shadow of the Vampire (2000), a kindly motel manager in the coming-of-age film The Florida Project (2017), and Vincent van Gogh in the biopic At Eternity's Gate (2018). His other films credits include To Live and Die in L.A. (1985), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), Born on the Fourth of July (1989), Wild at Heart (1990), The English Patient (1996), American Psycho (2000), Animal Factory (2000), The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004), Antichrist (2009), The Hunter (2011), John Carter (2012), The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), John Wick (2014), The Lighthouse (2019), Togo (2019), Poor Things (2023), and Nosferatu (2024). Dafoe was a founding member of experimental theatre company The Wooster Group. He portrayed Norman Osborn in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man film trilogy (2002–2007) and reprised the role in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). He has also voiced roles in the animated films Finding Nemo (2003), Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), and The Boy and the Heron (2023). Description above from the Wikipedia article Willem Dafoe, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Also known as: William Dafoe, Jr., William J. Dafoe, William James Dafoe
230
film credits
31
television credits
254
1953–2026 · acting roles
6.4
average across scored titles
Signature credits
Known for
Across film & television
Filmography (261)
Showing 261 of 261 credits
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Self
2014
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Zylander Quark
2015The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Self - Guest
2015
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self
1962
The Simpsons
The Commandant / Jack Lassen (voice)
1989The Simpsons
Commandant (voice)
1989
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Self - Guest
2014
The Daily Show
Self - Guest
1996
Conan
Self - Guest
2010
Saturday Night Live
Self - Host
1975Saturday Night Live
Self - Cameo (uncredited)
1975
The Graham Norton Show
Self
2007
The Colbert Report
2005
Hot Ones
Self
2015
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Norman Osborn / Green Goblin
2021
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
Self
2014
Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter
Self
2015
Spider-Man
Green Goblin / Norman Osborn
2002
Finding Nemo
Gill (voice)
2003
Off Camera with Sam Jones
Self
2014
The Hitchhiker
Jeffrey Hunt
1983
Spider-Man 3
Green Goblin / Norman Osborn
2007
The Oscars
Self
1953The Oscars
Self - Presenter
1953
Poor Things
Godwin Baxter
2023
Kulturplatz
Self
2004
The Wonderful World of Disney
1997
Nosferatu
Prof. Albin Eberhart von Franz
2024
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Jopling
2014
American Psycho
Donald Kimball
2000
John Wick
Marcus
2014
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Jackson
2024
Zack Snyder's Justice League
Vulko
2021
The Legend of Ochi
Maxim
2025
The Northman
Heimir the Fool
2022
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Rat (voice)
2009
Finding Dory
Gill (voice)
2016
The Kingdom
Grand Duc
1994
Aquaman
Nuidis Vulko
2018
Kinds of Kindness
Raymond / George / Omi
2024
The Great Wall
Ballard
2016
John Carter
Tars Tarkas
2012
Inside Man
John Darius
2006
The Lighthouse
Thomas Wake
2019
Spider-Man 2
Green Goblin / Norman Osborn
2004
Nymphomaniac: Vol. II
L
2013
The Florida Project
Bobby
2017
Murder on the Orient Express
Gerhard Hardman
2017
The Fault in Our Stars
Peter van Houten
2014
Platoon
Sergeant Elias Grodin
1986
The Aviator
Roland Sweet
2004
Nightmare Alley
Clem Hoatley
2021
Stasera c’è Cattelan su Raidue
Self
2022
Asteroid City
Saltzburg Keitel
2023
Mr. Bean's Holiday
Carson Clay
2007
The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun
Albert 'the Abacus'
2021
The Phoenician Scheme
Knave
2025
The English Patient
David Caravaggio
1996
xXx: State of the Union
Gen. George Octavius Deckert
2005
The Directors
Self
1999
What Happened to Monday
Terrence Settman
2017
Born on the Fourth of July
Charlie
1989
The Boondock Saints
Paul Smecker
1999
Werwulf
2026
Wild at Heart
Bobby Peru
1990
Clear and Present Danger
John Clark
1994
Speed 2: Cruise Control
Geiger
1997
Death Note
Ryuk (voice)
2017
At Eternity's Gate
Vincent van Gogh
2018
Saturday Night
David Tebet
2024
Once Upon a Time in Mexico
Armando Barillo
2003
Mississippi Burning
Agent Alan Ward
1988
A Most Wanted Man
Tommy Brue
2014
Heaven's Gate
Willy (uncredited)
1980
The Card Counter
Gordo
2021
Antichrist
He
2009
The House That Jack Built
Thanks
2018
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
Klaus Daimler
2004
eXistenZ
Gas
1999
Daybreakers
Lionel 'Elvis' Cormac
2010
NHK WORLD PRIME
Self - Narrator (voice)
2017
The Hunger
2nd Phone Booth Youth
1983
Odd Thomas
Wyatt Porter
2013
Motherless Brooklyn
Paul Randolph
2019
Out of the Furnace
John Petty
2013
A Family Man
Ed Blackridge
2016
Shadow of the Vampire
Max Schreck
2000
Tenzing
Colonel John Hunt
2026
Body of Evidence
Frank Dulaney
1993
Streets of Fire
Raven Shaddock
1984
The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day
Paul Smecker (uncredited)
2009
Togo
Leonhard Seppala
2019
Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant
Gavner Purl
2009
Paris Je T'aime
Le cow-boy (Place des Victoires)
2006
Dead for a Dollar
Joe Cribbens
2022
The Last Temptation of Christ
Jesus
1988
To Live and Die in L.A.
Rick Masters
1985
Mostra, Venise
Self
2022
The Clearing
Arnold Mack
2004
Cry-Baby
Hateful Guard
1990
Dog Eat Dog
Mad Dog
2016
Inside
Nemo
2023
Spider-Man: All Roads Lead to No Way Home
Self
2022
Manou the Swift
Manou's Father (voice)
2019
The Last Thing He Wanted
Richard McMahon
2020Wim Wenders - Von Filmen und Träumen
Self
2020
Bad Country
Bud Carter
2014
Manderlay
Grace's Father
2005
Fireflies in the Garden
Charles Waechter
2008
Fishing with John
Self
1991
Off Limits
Buck McGriff
1988
To Each His Own Cinema
(segment "Occupations") (archive footage)
2007
Flight of the Intruder
Lt. Cmdr. Virgil 'Tiger' Cole
1991
White Sands
Deputy Sheriff Ray Dolezal
1992
The Hunter
Martin David
2011
The Souffleur
Lucius
2026The Souffleur
Executive Producer
2026
Animal Factory
Earl Copen
2000
Late Fame
Ed Saxberger
2026
Vox Lux
Narrator (voice)
2018
Adam Resurrected
Commandat Klein
2008
The Man in My Basement
Anniston Bennett
2025The Man in My Basement
Executive Producer
2025
The Birthday Party
Marcos Timoleon
2026
Faraway, So Close!
Emit Flesti
1993
Can Creativity Save the World?
Self
2024
4:44 Last Day on Earth
Cisco
2012
Light Sleeper
John LeTour
1992
Affliction
Rolfe Whitehouse
1998
Auto Focus
John Carpenter
2002
American Dreamz
Chief of Staff
2006
Zero
(voice)
2025
My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done
Detective Hank Havenhurst
2010
Love, Antosha
Self
2019
Cannes: All Access
Self
2007
Lulu on the Bridge
Dr. Van Horn
1998
Triumph of the Spirit
Salamo Arouch
1989
Edges of the Lord
Priest
2001
Control
Dr. Michael Copeland
2004
Ripley Under Ground
Neil Murchison
2007
Finally Dawn
Rufo Priori
2024
Creation of the Kingdom of Exodus
Self / Grand Duc
2022
Basquiat
The Electrician
1996
Inside the Actors Studio
Self
1994
The Walker
Larry Lockner
2007
Pet Shop Days
Francis
2025
Ballad of a Righteous Merchant
Self
2017
Jiminy Glick in Lalawood
Willem Dafoe (uncredited)
2005
Wintergasten
2007
New Rose Hotel
X
1999New Rose Hotel
Co-Producer
1999
Siberia
Clint
2020
Anamorph
Stan Aubray
2007
Tomorrow You're Gone
The Buddha
2012
Go Go Tales
Ray Ruby
2008
Gonzo Girl
Walker Reade
2023
Farewell
Feeney
2009
On the Set: Spider-Man 3
Self
2007
The Reckoning
Martin
2004
Overnight
Self
2003
Before It Had a Name
Leslie
2005Before It Had a Name
Screenplay
2005
The Resurrection of Christ
2026
Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam
Elephant Grass (voice)
1987
Julian Schnabel: A Private Portrait
Self
2017Lincoln in the Bardo
Nosferatu: An Inside Look
Self
2024White Lies
Roadhouse 66
Johnny Harte
1984
Robert Wilson: The Beauty of the Mysterious
Self
2022
Finding Satoshi
Narrator
2022
Babenco: Tell Me When I Die
Self
2020Babenco: Tell Me When I Die
Associate Producer
2020Time Out
Tropico
Raymond
Tropico
Producer
A Tour of the Inferno: Revisiting 'Platoon'
Self
2001
Friedkin Uncut
Self
2018
The Night and the Moment
The Writer
1995
Wim Wenders, Desperado
Self
2020
Why Are We (Not) Creative?
Self
2021
This Is an Adventure
Self
2005
Brothers in Arms
Self
2018
The Loveless
Vance
1984
The Lighthouse: A Dark & Stormy Tale
Self
2020
Don't F*#% With John Wick
Self
2015
Love, Death, Elvis & Oz: The Making of Wild at Heart
2004
Pasolini
Pier Paolo Pasolini
2014
Tom & Viv
Tom Eliot
1994
Atalanta Strategy
Immigration Staff
1984
John Wick: Calling in the Cavalry
Self
2015
Jesus Goes to Hollywood
Self (archive footage)
2024
The Spider-Man Story
Self
2002
Mountain
Narrator (voice)
2017
Bullfighter
Father Ramirez
2000
Sculpt
2016
Voom Portraits
Self
2007
Abel Ferrara: Not Guilty
2003
Behind the Ultimate Spin: The Making of 'Spider-Man'
Self
2002
Location Production Footage: The Last Temptation of Christ
Self
1988
Spider-Mania
Self
2002
Pavilion of Women
Father Andre
2001
Final Cut: The Making and Unmaking of Heaven's Gate
Narrator (voice)
2004
Miral
Eddie
2010
Globehunters: An Around the World in 80 Days Adventure
Hunter (voice)
2002
Behind the Scenes of 'Spider-Man'
Self
2004
The Dust of Time
A
2008
Victory
Axel Heyst
1996
Blast 'Em
Self (uncredited)
1992
Cuddle
Dante
American Nails
Tommaso
Tommaso
2020
The Smile Man
Willem
2013
Into the Deep: America, Whaling & The World
Narrator
2010
Under the Rainbow: Making The Florida Project
Self
2018
River
Narrator
2021
Roy's World: Barry Gifford's Chicago
2020
Counterfeit World: Making 'To Live and Die in L.A.'
Self
2003
Matthew Gray Gubler's Life Aquatic Intern Journal
Self
2005
Willem Dafoe
2023
Vincent van Gogh Superstar
Vincent van Gogh (archive footage)
2019
On the Set: 'The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou'
Self / Klaus D.
2005
The Making of Daybreakers
Self
2010
run 002
2024
Franco Battiato - La voce del padrone
Self
2022
Sanctuary
Narrator
2017
Bob Wilson's Life & Death of Marina Abramovic
Self
2012
Maresco / Pasolini
Self
2021
7 Deaths of Maria Callas
Film Actor
2022
Forrest Bess: Key to the Riddle
Narrator
1999Love's Routine
Barry
2013
A Woman
Max Oliver
2010
My Hindu Friend
Diego Fairman
2016
The Making of A Most Wanted Man
Self
2015
New York Nights
Boyfriend
1984
Grande Envie
Count
2025
North on Evers
1992
Nelson Algren Live
Role1 / Frankie Machine / Role2 / Blackie Cavanaugh
2016
Rhyme 'Em to Death
1993
Il coraggio di essere Franco
Sé stesso
2022
Opus Zero
Paul
2018
Theatron. Romeo Castellucci
2018
Rockets Redglare!
Self
2003The Procedure
Christopher
2007
The Wild One
Narrator (voice)
2023
Piazza Vittorio
Himself
2017SPYMASTER: John le Carré in Hamburg
(archive footage)
2014
The Sleeping Shepherd
Sportin' Life
Self
2020The Misbehavers
Self
2004
Avrio Vrady
Dancing man
2025A Christmas Carol
Ebenezer Scrooge
Father
James Verdun
2016
Brace Up!
Colonel Alexander Ignatyevich Vershinin
1993Wrong Guys
Jack Straw
1997
Mind the Gap
Self
2016Saving Norman
Lionel Pembrooke
2013
Fukushima: A Nuclear Story
Narrator
2015
White Homeland Commando
Karl
1993
Interior (The Spectator)
Narrator
2023