Willem Dafoe Receives Coveted Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Actor Willem Dafoe, renowned for his extraordinary performances in over 150 films, has been bestowed with a distinguished star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, marking the prestigious inaugural event of the year
Willem Dafoe, a renowned actor with nearly 150 film credits to his name, was recently celebrated with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame - the first of its kind this year.
Speaking on Monday, he expressed his humility, stating "It's truly humbling to be here and to be a part of this," as he gestured towards Hollywood Boulevard.
"I feel grateful to be a part of this community of artists and entertainers, who, through their shared experiences and ability to imagine others' perspectives, bring us closer together and create connections," he expressed.
Known as one of Hollywood's most adaptable actors, Dafoe has taken on diverse roles, from a talkative lighthouse keeper in "The Lighthouse" to a gangster in David Lynch's "Wild At Heart" and Vincent van Gogh in "At Eternity's Gate." Most recently, he has portrayed a rebellious scientist in Yorgos Lanthimos's "Poor Things."
He received four Oscar nominations, one for best actor for his portrayal of Van Gogh, and three for best supporting actor. During the ceremony, fellow Hollywood stars Pedro Pascal and Patricia Arquette paid tribute to Dafoe's generosity and talent in their speeches, with Pascal hailing him as "the greatest American actor in our lifetime."
Willem Dafoe, center, stands with Pedro Pascal, left, and Patricia Arquette, right.
Chris Pizzello/AP
Dafoe then unveiled the star on the boulevard, commemorating his prodigious body of work that has seen him inhabit so many different characters.
Exclusive all-round no mins
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Michael Buckner/Deadline/Shutterstock (10462318ic)
Exclusive - Willem Dafoe - 'Motherless Brooklyn'
Exclusive - Deadline Contenders, Portraits, DGA Theater, Los Angeles, USA - 02 Nov 2019
Michael Buckner/Deadline/Shutterstock
Willem Dafoe on forty years of acting: Im a gunslinger. A nomad.
But, after more than 40 years of acting, Dafoe told CNN in 2020 that he is still seeking variety to keep himself honest.
He explained, "Acting makes it easy for corruption to take hold. It can become a routine, like relying on a bag of tricks - just like in life. It's a trap for an actor. You have to find ways to stay engaged and break free from the pattern."
"But I dont think of myself as a risk taker, Ive just got a healthy restlessness," he added. "I feel compelled to try to mix it up."
