Age: 70
male
William James "Willem" Dafoe (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 the Volpi Cup for Best Actor as well as nominations for four Academy Awards, a BAFTA Award, four Golden Globe Awards, four Critics' Choice Movie Awards, and five Screen Actors Guild Awards. He has frequently collaborated with filmmakers Paul Schrader, Abel Ferrara, Lars von Trier, Julian Schnabel, Wes Anderson, and Robert Eggers. Dafoe was a founding member of experimental theatre company The Wooster Group. He made his film debut with an uncredited role in Heaven's Gate (1980). Dafoe's early career includes credits for The Loveless (1982), Streets of Fire (1984), and To Live and Die in L.A. (1985). He earned his first Academy Award nomination for the war drama Platoon (1986), followed by nominations for his roles in Shadow of the Vampire (2000), The Florida Project (2017), and the Vincent van Gogh biopic At Eternity's Gate (2018). He also gained acclaim and wide recognition for his roles as Jesus Christ in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) and as the supervillain Norman Osborn in the superhero film Spider-Man (2002), a role he reprised in its sequels Spider-Man 2 (2004) and Spider-Man 3 (2007), and the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). His other film appearance include roles in Mississippi Burning (1988), Born on the Fourth of July (1989), Wild at Heart (1990), Light Sleeper (1992), Body of Evidence (1993), Clear and Present Danger (1994), The English Patient (1996), Affliction (1997), New Rose Hotel(1998), Existenz (1999), The Boondock Saints (1999), American Psycho (2000), Auto Focus (2002), Finding Nemo (2003), The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004), Inside Man (2006), Mr. Bean's Holiday (2007), Antichrist (2009), Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), Nymphomaniac (2013), The Fault in Our Stars (2014), John Wick (2014), The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), Aquaman (2018), The Lighthouse (2019), Nightmare Alley (2021), Poor Things (2023), and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024).
Willem Dafoe
Ebenezer Scrooge
for Ebenezer Scrooge in SCROOGE (2027)
Suggested by amrowe8596
In this haunting reimagining of A Christmas Carol, Robert Eggers brings his signature eerie aesthetic and historical authenticity to the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge. Set in a desolate 19th-century English fishing village, the story unfolds in a world drenched in cold mist, superstition, and isolation. Scrooge is a miserly, embittered merchant whose relentless greed has devastated the local community. The story retains its core themes of redemption and reflection but with a darker, more psychological edge. As the spectral visitations begin, Scrooge must confront his past, present, and future in a series of harrowing, surreal visions that blur the line between the real and the supernatural. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come traps Scrooge in a surreal, stormy wasteland where time collapses, forcing him to witness his death repeatedly. The imagery is haunting: Scrooge clawing at frozen soil, the wind carrying the anguished cries of those he wronged. When Scrooge awakens on Christmas morning, his redemption feels monumental. He steps into the village square, braving the harsh winds to deliver food and coal to the families he once ignored. This elevates the classic tale into something deeply atmospheric and introspective, blending historical accuracy with psychological horror. It’s a version that resonates with modern audiences while staying true to the timeless message of compassion and transformation.
