Actor Willem Dafoe is often labeled as Hollywood’s gem because of his outstanding performances in various genres of films. Over the years, with his consistent performances, he has proved that he is a seasoned actor. He is well-known for his work in Light Sleeper (1992), The Lighthouse (2019), At Eternity’s Gate (2018), Antichrist (2009), The Florida Project (2017), and Spider-Man (2002).
Growing up, Dafoe was always interested in filmmaking, however, this interest once got him in deep trouble. When he was in high school, the actor was working on a complex film with three students who were playing a Satanist, a nudist, and someone interested in legalizing pot. After discovering what he is working on, his teacher instantly got him expelled from the school.
Willem Dafoe made an “artistic film” in high school
In 2018, actor Willem Dafoe appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and talked about his childhood. During the interview, the actor revealed that he was working on a film when he was in high school,
“I just stopped going to school because they kicked me out because I had this little class, that was a communications class, and I was trying to create a magazine show just when kids were starting to learn how to use home video equipment. I interviewed three different students in the student body. One considered himself as a Satanist, one considered himself as a Nudist and one was interested in legalizing pot. So, it was basically a magazine show about outsiders in my school.”
The actor then explained that he went pretty crazy while filming it and he interviewed the nudist in the toilet. Unfortunately, the actor left for lunch and forgot to cut out that part.
Willem Dafoe was kicked out of high school
The actor explained that there were a lot of questionable things that he captured and was going to cut them out, however, his teacher found it before he could make any changes. He continued,
“I went out for lunch, and a teacher came in and saw the stuff on the editing bed and started to look at it. and when I came back from lunch, the door was locked, and I said, ‘What’s up?’ and someone said, ‘Hey, you better get down to the principal.’ I went to the principal, my parents are there and they said, ‘Oh, Willy, you’re making p*rnography!'”
The actor then explained that, since things were too complicated, he left the town and slept on a friend’s couch for a while, then finally went to university.
Willem Dafoe started acting in the 1980s
Although Dafoe’s first official film role is believed to be in 1981’s The Loveless, his actually first major role was in Michael Cimino’s 1980 film Heaven’s Gate, but he was not credited for his work. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Dafoe starred in many films, proving that he is a highly talented star.
Sam Raimi’s 2002 movie, Spider-Man popularised Dafoe among a wider audience. His portrayal as the iconic Green Goblin/Norman Osborn made him a worldwide superstar. Dafoe’s ability to immerse himself in characters, from heroes to villains, bringing out the depth of the character has solidified his status as a Hollywood icon.
Source: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
