Willem Dafoe Biography Flash a weekly Biography.
Willem Dafoe continues to remind us why he is one of the most dynamic forces in film and theatre. Just days ago at the 2025 Venice Film Festival, Dafoe made headlines with the premiere of “The Souffleur,” a buzzy new film directed by Gastón Solnicki. Dafoe stars as Lucius, a hotel manager whose life is upended when his beloved building is sold off, igniting a madcap battle to cling to the world he knows. Variety notes the film has sparked excitement, earning a wide theatrical release in Italy next year and distribution deals in Austria. Solnicki praised Dafoe in his Venice interview, calling him “very courageous” and highlighting the actor’s ambition even after decades of renowned performances. The Venice crowd could not miss Dafoe’s signature blend of openness and intensity, and early reviews call his performance a true highlight of this year’s festival slate.
Venice has also been a platform for Dafoe in another major capacity. He leads as artistic director of the 2025 Venice Theatre Biennale, where his vision “Theatre is Body. Body is Poetry” challenges artists to reconnect with the fundamental presence and poetry of the body—an especially poignant theme in a digital age. He’s drawn heavyweights like the Wooster Group and Romeo Castellucci to Venice and made sure this year’s festival strikes at the heart of what makes live theatre so transformative. Dafoe’s philosophy and hands-on leadership have been covered widely by outlets like The Theatre Times, who quote him emphasizing human endurance and artistic ritual.
Meanwhile, Dafoe’s film calendar is packed. He is set to appear in “The Man in My Basement,” a psychological thriller co-starring Anna Diop and Corey Hawkins. The actor is also set to work again with Bárbara Paz on the near-future drama “Cuddle,” portraying a professional cuddler struggling with deep loneliness—an intriguing role sure to draw attention when it gets closer to release. Deadline just broke the news that Dafoe has been cast in Sony’s “SNL 1975,” a look behind the scenes at the history-making first broadcast of Saturday Night Live. Dafoe will play David Tebet, the NBC executive who helped secure the talent that launched the cultural juggernaut.
In person, Dafoe has been seen at high-profile events in Venice and was recently photographed for Getty Images’ September entertainment round-up—always exuding his characteristic mix of approachability and mystique. He was also recently honored at the Sarajevo Film Festival and, according to multiple sources including IMDb, graciously declined to comment on American politics, noting a desire to keep the focus on the arts.
As of the past 24 hours, there have been no viral controversies or unexpected major headlines involving Dafoe. On social platforms, fans buzz about his Venice appearances, his ever-unusual press quotes, and anticipation for his upcoming roles, reaffirming that's he an actor who never stops pushing boundaries.
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