Willem Dafoe Reveals the Actor Who Shaped His Craft
Willem Dafoe opens up about the screen legend who first inspired him, sharing how a unique approach to acting left a lasting mark on his own career.
For anyone dreaming of a career in acting, Willem Dafoe stands as a remarkable role model. With more than four decades in the industry, he’s managed to reinvent himself time and again, never losing momentum. While many actors fade from the spotlight as they age, Dafoe continues to land powerful roles, defying expectations and showing no signs of slowing down.
Early Influences and Lasting Impressions
When it comes to finding inspiration, Dafoe has often mentioned the impact of Burt Lancaster’s performance in The Leopard. But when asked about his very first movie crush, he points to a different figure entirely. In an interview with W magazine, Dafoe shared that Warren Oates holds a special place in his heart.
“When I saw him perform, I thought, that’s not an actor, that’s a man,”
he recalled.
“It kind of broke my heart to find out he was actually a trained actor.”
Warren Oates: The Unlikely Icon
Oates, a favorite of director Sam Peckinpah, made his mark in films like The Wild Bunch and Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia. Though he often played cowboys, his talent went far beyond the Western genre. Oates’s authenticity resonated with audiences, especially in New Zealand, where his role in Sleeping Dogs helped the film become a national hit and sparked a new era in local filmmaking.
Despite never reaching the superstar status of some peers, Oates’s strength lay in his ability to come across as a regular guy. Dafoe admired this quality, noting how Oates’s lack of traditional “star power” made him stand out. He was memorable precisely because he seemed so ordinary, a rare trait in Hollywood.
Roots and Realism
Though Oates was a trained actor, his background was anything but glamorous. He discovered acting while studying at the University of Louisville, then moved to New York City to pursue his passion. Yet, he never lost touch with his small-town Kentucky roots. On screen, he brought a sense of realness that didn’t require any pretense or showmanship.
In many respects, Dafoe mirrors Oates’s versatility. Whether he’s playing a comic book villain, a historical figure, or an everyman in a quiet drama, Dafoe’s range is undeniable. While his style may be more unconventional, the influence of his early idol is clear in the way he approaches each role.