In order to inhabit a character, you've got to embrace and empathise with them. — Willem Dafoe Copy Share Image
I try to do as many of my own stunts as possible. If you keep on taking yourself out of the role… — Willem Dafoe Copy Share Image
I don't want people to know anything about me, because that's not important. I'm more interested in the me that takes shape… — Willem Dafoe Copy Share Image
As you get older, you suffer fools less easily. That's why there's all those cranky character actors. I'm an exception. I'm a… — Willem Dafoe Copy Share Image
I try to attach myself to people who really inspire me, and directors who are really passionate. That way, I can give… — Willem Dafoe Copy Share Image
I do know that I like to play characters that are sometimes a little on the outside - that's because it feels… — Willem Dafoe Copy Share Image
I don't worry so much about the audience. I want them very much to be involved and enjoy the movie, but I… — Willem Dafoe Copy Share Image
When you work on anything, you want to find the range of impulses - which ones get portrayed is another question, but… — Willem Dafoe Copy Share Image
It's true in the beginning I started playing villains, and I think that's pretty clear, because if you don't conventionally look a… — Willem Dafoe Copy Share Image
I aspire to be an instrument of the director. I'm happiest like that. The stronger the director, the more I'm willing to… — Willem Dafoe Copy Share Image
I'm more interested in talking about what I do. And I don't think people are interested in my personal life. I've never… — Willem Dafoe Copy Share Image
If you know what it is before you even start, it's not as interesting. Central to being an actor is pretending, and… — Willem Dafoe Copy Share Image
I was doing community theater, and I was always interested in acting, but I was also interested in sports. I was interested in a… — Willem Dafoe Copy Share
I knew very little about 'Spider-Man'. I grew up more in the 'Superman' generation. 'Spider-Man' - I didn't know so much. But it is… — Willem Dafoe Copy Share
When I was a kid I was very interested in the idea of the will, finding out what you're capable of. I liked those… — Willem Dafoe Copy Share
Film is an editor's medium. You can create very good raw material and they can make it horrible, or you can do not so… — Willem Dafoe Copy Share
I'm more interested in talking about what I do. And I don't think people are interested in my personal life. I've never had a… — Willem Dafoe Copy Share
Mounting those red stairs [in Cannes] is something I've done with a very different intention many times. So it's interesting any time you witness… — Willem Dafoe Copy Share
In films you do a scene, you play around with it and unless you're doing a lot of reshooting, which no one has the… — Willem Dafoe Copy Share
For every role, you have to always find a different way to approach it, one that's specific and suits what the key is. Every… — Willem Dafoe Copy Share
All the time, as an actor, you want to be asking what's next and where things are going. If you're not asking those questions,… — Willem Dafoe Copy Share
I'm learning in my old age that the only thing you can do to keep your sanity is to stay in the moment. — Willem Dafoe Copy Share
I was watching 'Wild at Heart,' and I can honestly say I did nothing for that apart from show up! — Willem Dafoe Copy Share
Truth is, generally I like film festivals; somewhere at some level there's an exchange of ideas. — Willem Dafoe Copy Share
I don't think people are interested in my personal life. I've never had a Hollywood life. I've always been a worker. — Willem Dafoe Copy Share
