Dafoe Reveals His First Movie Crush Changed Everything
The legendary actor opens up about the performer who shaped his entire approach to acting, calling him 'not an actor, but a man' in a revealing interview.
For more than four decades, Willem Dafoe has remained one of Hollywood's most respected performers, transitioning smoothly between different career phases while consistently delivering powerful performances. Unlike many actors who fade into the background as they age out of leading man roles, Dafoe continues to shine brighter with each passing year, showing no signs of slowing down.
The Man Behind the Inspiration
When asked about his biggest cinematic influence, Dafoe consistently points to different sources of inspiration. He's frequently mentioned Burt Lancaster's performance in The Leopard as a career-defining moment. However, when it comes to his very first movie crush, there's only one name that matters: Warren Oates.
Speaking with W magazine about his cinematic influences, Dafoe shared his admiration for the late actor. "When I saw him perform, I thought, that's not an actor, that's a man," Dafoe explained. "It kind of broke my heart to find out he was actually a trained actor."
A Western Legend's Lasting Impact
Oates became a staple in Sam Peckinpah's gritty westerns, appearing in classics like The Wild Bunch and Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia. While the cowboy genre provided steady work, his talents extended far beyond horse operas and gunfights. His versatility as a performer allowed him to tackle various roles across different genres.
Perhaps surprisingly, one of Oates' most significant contributions to cinema happened thousands of miles from Hollywood. His role in the New Zealand film Sleeping Dogs helped make it the country's highest-grossing domestic production at the time, essentially launching what would become a golden era for New Zealand filmmaking.
The Power of Authenticity
What set Oates apart wasn't traditional movie star charisma or leading man looks. Instead, his greatest strength lay in his ability to appear completely ordinary on screen. In an industry built on star power and larger-than-life personalities, Oates succeeded precisely because he seemed like a regular guy you might meet at the local diner.
Despite Dafoe's initial impression, Oates was indeed formally trained. He discovered his passion for acting while attending the University of Louisville, later moving to New York City to develop his craft further. However, his small-town Kentucky roots remained genuine – what audiences saw on screen was simply Oates being himself, no pretense required.
Today, Dafoe embodies many of the same qualities that made his idol so compelling. His remarkable range allows him to seamlessly move between blockbuster villain roles and intimate character studies, always bringing that same authentic presence that first drew him to Oates decades ago.