Pedro Pascal has crowned the actor he deems “the greatest American actor in our lifetime.” The Hollywood Walk of Fame welcomed a new star for none other than Willem Dafoe, celebrated for his roles in ‘The Last of Us’ and ‘The Mandalorian,’ among others.
Pascal, sharing the spotlight with luminaries like Guillermo Del Toro, Patricia Arquette and Mark Ruffalo, showered Dafoe with accolades during the star-studded ceremony on 8th January.
Recalling a poignant moment from his past, Pascal recounted watching Platoon with his father, an experience so moving it sent him to the bathroom in tears. He praised Dafoe for redefining rebellion and originality through qualities of generosity, integrity, kindness and a good dose of fun.
According to Pascal, Dafoe, with whom he co-starred in the 2017 film ‘The Great Wall,’ not only defines these virtues but has also been his greatest teacher.
In Pascal’s words, Dafoe stands as the unrivalled “greatest American actor in our lifetime,” a testament to a career that defies comparison. Dafoe’s repertoire spans mainstream blockbusters like the ‘Spider-Man’ trilogy, where he portrayed the iconic Green Goblin, to his role as Nuidis Vulko in the DC Extended Universe.
Nominated for four Oscars, Dafoe has left an indelible mark with performances in ‘Platoon’ (1986), ‘Shadow of the Vampire’ (2000), ‘The Florida Project’ (2017) and ‘At Eternity’s Gate’ (2018).
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Currently gracing the screen in ‘Poor Things,’ a darkly comedic fantasy directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, Dafoe adds a Frankenstein-like scientist to his diverse portfolio. The film, a winner at the recent Golden Globes, earned acclaim for ‘Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy’ and ‘Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy’ by Emma Stone.
Dafoe shared his perspective on the challenges facing contemporary cinema, noting a decline in the popularity of “challenging” movies due to the prevalence of streaming platforms. Lamenting the loss of the social aspect of movie-watching, Dafoe remarked on the shift from shared experiences and post-movie discussions to a more fragmented and solitary viewing culture.