Born in Appleton, Wisconsin

July 22, 1955

Dafoe, the seventh of eight children, was born William J. Dafoe in Appleton, Wisconsin, the son of Muriel Isabel (née Sprissler), a nurse and Boston native, and Dr. William Alfred Dafoe, a surgeon

Met Elizabeth LeCompte

August 1, 1977

Dafoe met director Elizabeth LeCompte at the Performance Group.

Cast in Heaven's Gate

November 19, 1980

Dafoe's film career began in 1981, when he was cast in Heaven's Gate, but his role was removed from the film during editing.

Son Jack is born

January 1, 1982

Their son, Jack, was born in 1982.

To Live and Die in L.A.

November 1, 1985

He is best known for his roles in To Live and Die in L.A., Platoon, The Last Temptation of Christ, Shadow of the Vampire, The Boondock Saints and the Spider-Man films.

Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor

March 31, 1987

He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1986 for Platoon and 2000 for Shadow of the Vampire.

The Last Temptation of Christ

August 12, 1988

He is best known for his roles in To Live and Die in L.A., Platoon, The Last Temptation of Christ, Shadow of the Vampire, The Boondock Saints and the Spider-Man films.

Body of Evidence

January 15, 1993

He starred in the erotic drama Body of Evidence with Madonna. In this film, he appeared totally nude, as well as giving Madonna cunnilingus in a famous scene in a carpark.

The Boondock Saints

November 19, 1999

He is best known for his roles in To Live and Die in L.A., Platoon, The Last Temptation of Christ, Shadow of the Vampire, The Boondock Saints and the Spider-Man films.

Shadow of the Vampire

January 26, 2001

He is best known for his roles in To Live and Die in L.A., Platoon, The Last Temptation of Christ, Shadow of the Vampire, The Boondock Saints and the Spider-Man films.

Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor

March 25, 2001

He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1986 for Platoon and 2000 for Shadow of the Vampire.

Spider-Man

May 3, 2002

He is best known for his roles in To Live and Die in L.A., Platoon, The Last Temptation of Christ, Shadow of the Vampire, The Boondock Saints and the Spider-Man films.

Spider-Man 2

June 30, 2004

He is best known for his roles in To Live and Die in L.A., Platoon, The Last Temptation of Christ, Shadow of the Vampire, The Boondock Saints and the Spider-Man films.

Married Italian director and actress Giada Colagrande

March 25, 2005

Dafoe married Italian director and actress Giada Colagrande on March 25, 2005.

Spider-Man 3

May 4, 2007

He is best known for his roles in To Live and Die in L.A., Platoon, The Last Temptation of Christ, Shadow of the Vampire, The Boondock Saints and the Spider-Man films.