He made his film debut in Heaven's Gate (1980), but was fired during production.
He frequently collaborates with filmmakers Paul Schrader, Abel Ferrara, Lars von Trier, Julian Schnabel, and Wes Anderson.ĭafoe was an early member of experimental theater company The Wooster Group. He is the recipient of various accolades, including the Volpi Cup for Best Actor, in addition to receiving nominations for four Academy Awards, four Screen Actors Guild Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and a British Academy Film Award. William James Dafoe ( / d ə ˈ f oʊ/ born July 22, 1955) is an American actor.