MovieChat Forums > Willem Dafoe Discussion > Why did he never really become an a-list...

Why did he never really become an a-list star?


I wonder why Dafoe's never really become a major star in Hollywood. Sure he's still a relatively successful actor but early in his career he had the makings of being a major star. He had critically acclaimed roles in big Hollywood films like Mississippi Burning and Platoon but eventually he's become something of a B-list star. Was it because he wasn't the typically good looking leading man or was it a conscious decision on his part that he chose projects that weren't necessarily going to appeal to a mainstream audience? Perfect case in point being The Last Temptation of Christ which considering it's controversial nature might have career suicide. It's not necessarily a bad thing, I'm just curious as to why he never did.

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Some people feel less inclined to let another person control them with their views. Willem chose to do that with his acting roles.

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Unless there's a lot about him I don't know (is he unpleasant, ''difficult'' or sleazy?) I am baffled, too.

I don't think 'Temptation' was suicide, but rather his not consistently choosing great roles as he got in the films you listed

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I have always been under the impression that he's not interested in being a movie star, he's more of a character actor. I wouldn't call him a b-list star, sure he's made them but he keeps appearing in quality movies too.

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I tend to agree
I dont think he cares a bit what category we try to shove him in...
Character actor is a pretty on-point call...well said olioz
This guy is a legend
Love him

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Yup, love him too, like I said in a another thread, he's truly one of the best.

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Few compare!

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Because he has the face of a demon.

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haha yeah, he has definitely missing the cookiecutter beauty face

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Because he has zero talent and looks like a gargoyle.

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Yeah right. Why are you obsessed with him?

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I'm not.

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William Defoe zero talent. lol. Contrarian autistic Cakey is back!!!

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I just got the impression he just does what interests him and not what is popular.

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How is Willem Dafoe B List? That's crazy talk. He's A List. He's just not on the level of a Tom Cruise or Will Smith.

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He’s not A list. He hasn’t had top billing in a film in 32 years.

As for the thread’s original question, could be partially he did not want nor seeked that level. Content with being able to make a really decent living yet still not be hounded by the media etc.

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The guy has been nominated for four Oscars and is a household name. Sounds pretty A-list to me. And him not having a top billing film “in 32 years” baffles me, as he’s had a few in the last two years!

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I think he is happy with his career. He was never gonna be like Arnold Schwarzenegger ,Tom Cruise, or even Jack Nicholson. He's just not that kind of actor. Now if you are talking about a career like Al Pacino or Gene Hackman. I think he had a lot of potential for that but looks like he didn't wanted that kind of career either. Seems like he prefer a Robert Duvall or Christopher Walken career.

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He's A-List he's just a real actor who cares about the work.

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