Matt Dillon

Matthew Raymond Dillon (born February 18, 1964) is an American actor. He has received various accolades, including an Academy Award nomination and Grammy nomination.

Matt Dillon
Dillon at the 2010 FICG
Born
Matthew Raymond Dillon

(1964-02-18) February 18, 1964
OccupationActor
Years active1979–present
PartnerRoberta Mastromichele (2014–present)
RelativesKevin Dillon (brother)
AwardsFull list

Dillon made his feature film debut in Over the Edge (1979) and established himself as a teen idol by starring in the films My Bodyguard (1980), Little Darlings (1980), three of five S. E. Hinton book adaptations Tex (1982), Rumble Fish (1983) and The Outsiders (1983) as well as The Flamingo Kid (1984). From the late 1980s onward, Dillon achieved further success, starring in Drugstore Cowboy (1989), Singles (1992), The Saint of Fort Washington (1993), To Die For (1995), Beautiful Girls (1996), In & Out (1997), There's Something About Mary (1998), and Wild Things (1998). In a 1991 article, movie critic Roger Ebert referred to him as the best actor within his age group, along with Sean Penn.[1]

In the 2000s, he made his directing debut with City of Ghosts (2002) and went on to star in the films Factotum (2005), You, Me and Dupree (2006), Nothing but the Truth (2008), Sunlight Jr. (2013) and The House That Jack Built (2018). For Crash (2004), he won an Independent Spirit Award and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He had earlier been nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for narrating Jack Kerouac's On the Road. In 2015, he starred in the first season of the FOX television series Wayward Pines, for which he was nominated for a Saturn Award.

Early life

Dillon was born in New Rochelle, New York to homemaker Mary Ellen and Paul Dillon, a portrait painter and sales manager for toy bear manufacturer Union Camp. Paul Dillon also was the long-time golf coach at Fordham University, having been enshrined in the school's Hall of Fame in 2019.[2][3][4][5] His paternal grandmother was the sister of comic strip artist Alex Raymond, the creator of Flash Gordon.[6] Dillon is the second of six children with one sister and four brothers, one of whom is actor Kevin Dillon. Dillon was raised in a close-knit Roman Catholic family of Irish descent.[7][8][9] He grew up in Mamaroneck, New York.[10]

Career

In 1978, Jane Bernstein and a friend were helping director Jonathan Kaplan cast the teen drama Over the Edge when they found Dillon cutting class at Hommocks Middle School in Larchmont. Dillon auditioned for a role and made his debut in the film.[11] The film received a regional, limited theatrical release in May 1979, and grossed only slightly over $200,000.[12] Dillon's performance was well-received, which led to his casting in two films released the following year: the teenage sex comedy Little Darlings, in which Kristy McNichol's character loses her virginity to a boy from the camp across the lake, played by Dillon, and the more serious teen dramedy My Bodyguard, where he played a high-school bully opposite Chris Makepeace. The films, released in March and July 1980, respectively, were box office successes[13] and raised Dillon's profile among teen audiences.

Another of Dillon's early roles was in the Jean Shepherd PBS special The Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters.[14][15] The only available copies of this film are stored at UCLA, where a legal dispute makes it unavailable to the public.

One of his next roles was in Liar's Moon, where he played Jack Duncan, a poor Texas boy madly in love with a rich banker's daughter. In the early 1980s, Dillon also had prominent roles in three adaptations of S. E. Hinton novels: Tex (1982), The Outsiders (1983) and Rumble Fish (1983). All three films were shot in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Hinton's hometown. The Outsiders and Rumble Fish had Dillon working with Francis Ford Coppola and Diane Lane. He followed those up with The Flamingo Kid in 1984. He made his Broadway debut with the play The Boys of Winter[16] in 1985. Dillon did voiceover work in the 1987 documentary film Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam. In 1985, Dillon was namechecked in the lyrics of the Roger Daltrey song 'After The Fire' (written by Pete Townshend). In 1989, Dillon won critical acclaim for his performance as a drug addict in Gus Van Sant's Drugstore Cowboy.

Dillon continued to work in the early 1990s with roles in films like Singles (1992). He had a resurgence when he played Nicole Kidman's husband in To Die For (1995), as well as starring roles in Wild Things (1998) and There's Something About Mary (1998), for which he received an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain.

In 2002, he wrote and directed the film City of Ghosts, starring himself, James Caan and Gérard Depardieu. In 2005, he starred in Factotum, a film adaptation of an autobiographical work by Charles Bukowski. Two years later he received critical praise and earned Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations for his role in Crash, a film co-written and directed by Paul Haggis. In 2005, Dillon co-starred in Disney's Herbie: Fully Loaded and on March 11, 2006, hosted Saturday Night Live, in which he impersonated Greg Anderson and Rod Serling in sketches.

Dillon starred in the comedy You, Me and Dupree, opposite Kate Hudson and Owen Wilson. The film opened on July 14, 2006. On September 29, 2006, Dillon was honored with the Premio Donostia prize in the San Sebastián International Film Festival.

Dillon contributed his voice as the narrator, Sal Paradise, in an audiobook version of Jack Kerouac's novel On the Road. In 2006, he narrated Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos.

Dillon appeared in several music videos during his career. He made a cameo appearance as a detective in Madonna's Bad Girl music video which also stars Christopher Walken. Dillon appeared in 1987 in the music video for "Fairytale of New York" by the Irish folk-punk band The Pogues, playing a cop who escorts lead singer Shane MacGowan into the "drunk tank". In 2007, the band Dinosaur Jr. hired Dillon to direct the video for their single "Been There All The Time" from the album Beyond. That year, he guest-starred on The Simpsons episode "Midnight Towboy". Early in 2015, he played the role of a Secret Service agent in the FOX 10-episode series Wayward Pines.

In 2018, Dillon played the lead role in the Lars von Trier thriller The House That Jack Built.[17]

Personal life

Matt was in a relationship with Cameron Diaz from 1995 to 1998. Since 2014 he has been in a relationship with Italian actress, dancer and choreographer Roberta Mastromichele.[18]

Dillon is an aficionado and collector of Latin music, with a large collection of vinyl, including a notable library of Cuban 78s.[19]

Filmography

Dillon at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival
Key
Denotes works that have not yet been released

Film

Year Film Role Notes
1979Over the EdgeRitchie White
1980My BodyguardMelvin Moody
Little DarlingsRandy Adams
1982TexTex McCormick
Liar's MoonJack Duncan
1983The OutsidersDallas "Dally" Winston
Rumble FishRusty James
1984The Flamingo KidJeffrey Willis
1985TargetChris Lloyd / Derek Potter
RebelSergeant Harry Rebel
1986Native SonJan Erlone
1987The Big TownJ. C. Cullen
1988KansasDoyle Kennedy
1989Drugstore CowboyBob Hughes
Bloodhounds of BroadwayRegret
1991A Kiss Before DyingJonathan Corliss
1992SinglesCliff Poncier
1993The Saint of Fort WashingtonMatthew
Mr. WonderfulGus DeMarco
1994Golden GateKevin Walker
1995To Die ForLarry Maretto
Frankie StarlightTerry Klout
1996Grace of My HeartJay Phillips
Albino AlligatorDova
Beautiful GirlsTommy "Birdman" Rowland
1997In & OutCameron Drake
1998There's Something About MaryPatrick "Pat" Healy
Wild ThingsSam Lombardo
2001One Night at McCool'sRandy
2002Deuces WildFritzy Zennetti
City of GhostsJimmy CremmingAlso writer/director
2003Abby SingerHimself
2004Employee of the MonthDavid Walsh
CrashOfficer John Ryan
2005LoverboyMark
FactotumHenry Chinaski
Herbie: Fully LoadedTrip Murphy
2006You, Me and DupreeCarl Peterson
2008Nothing But the TruthPatton Dubois
2009Old DogsBarry
ArmoredMike Cochrane
2010TakersDet. Jack Welles
2012Girl Most LikelyGeorge / The Bousche
2013Pawn Shop ChroniclesRichard
The Art of the StealNicky Calhoun
Sunlight Jr.Richie Barnes
2014Bad CountryJesse Weiland
2017Rock DogTreyVoice only
Going in StyleHamer
2018The House That Jack BuiltJack
Running for GraceDoc
Head Full of HoneyNick
2019NimicFatherShort film
ProximaMike Shannon
2020CaponeJohnny
The Great FelloveDocumentary; Executive producer/director
2021Land of DreamsAlan
2022 American Dreamer Dell [20]
2023 Asteroid CityWalter Geronimo
TBA Haunted Heart [21]

Television

Year Film Role Notes
1982The Great American Fourth of July and Other DisastersRalph ParkerTelevision film
1991Fishing with JohnHimselfSeries
1991Women & Men 2Eddie MegeffinTelevision film
2007The SimpsonsLouieTV series (1 episode: "Midnight Towboy"); Voice only
2011Modern FamilyRobbie SullivanTV series (1 episode: "Princess Party")
2015Wayward PinesEthan BurkeTV series (10 episodes)
2023High DesertDennyMain role

Awards and nominations

Year Award Nominated work Result
1981Young Artist Award Best Young Actor in a Major Motion PictureMy BodyguardNominated
1983Young Artist Award Best Young Motion Picture ActorTexNominated
1990Independent Spirit Award for Best Male LeadDrugstore CowboyWon
1999Blockbuster Entertainment Awards Favorite Supporting Actor – Comedy There's Something About MaryWon
MTV Movie Award for Best Villain (tied with Stephen Dorff)Won
Teen Choice Award Funniest SceneWon
MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss (shared with Denise Richards & Neve Campbell)Wild ThingsNominated
2001Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word AlbumOn the Road by Jack Kerouac, audiobookNominated
2005Gotham Tribute AwardWon
Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards Best Supporting Actor CrashWon
Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Ensemble CastNominated
Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards Best Supporting ActorWon
Hollywood Film Festival Ensemble of the YearWon
Satellite Award for Best Cast – Motion PictureWon
Phoenix Film Critics Society Award Best CastWon
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Best CastWon
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Best Supporting ActorNominated
2006Academy Award for Best Supporting ActorNominated
BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting RoleNominated
Black Reel Award for Best EnsembleNominated
Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting ActorNominated
Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Acting EnsembleWon
Chicago Film Critics Association Award Best Supporting ActorNominated
Empire Award for Best ActorNominated
Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion PictureNominated
Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting MaleWon
Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting ActorNominated
SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting RoleNominated
SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion PictureWon
San Sebastián International Film Festival Donostia Lifetime Achievement AwardWon
2007Cairo International Film Festival Special AwardWon
2011Special Tomislav Pinter AwardWon
2016Saturn Award for Best Actor on TelevisionWayward PinesNominated
2019Robert Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role The House That Jack BuiltNominated
Bodil Award for Best Actor in a Leading RoleNominated
202275th Locarno Film Festival: Leopard of HonourMatt DillonHonored

References

  1. Ebert, Roger (April 26, 1991). "Review: A Kiss Before Dying". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on September 12, 2012 via rogerebert.com.
  2. "Paul Dillon (2019) - Hall of Fame".
  3. "New Documentary Features Mamaroneck's Paul Dillon - theloop". December 11, 2019.
  4. "Cigar Aficionado - People Profile - Matt Dillon". Archived from the original on February 21, 2010. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
  5. "Matt Dillon Biography (1964-)". Film Reference. Archived from the original on October 27, 2017. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
  6. "Fordham golf coach has way with the brush". USA Today. October 9, 2001. Archived from the original on September 14, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
  7. Dillon, Matt (August 6, 2005). "Behind the mask". London: The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on December 17, 2013. Retrieved September 11, 2010.
  8. Flynn, Paul (August 11, 2005). "Matt's Crash landing". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on April 22, 2013. Retrieved September 11, 2010.
  9. Rader, Dotson (July 23, 2006). ""You Don't Shut the Door on Hope"". Parade. Archived from the original on February 21, 2009. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  10. Grant, Lee (May 6, 2005). "The outsider". San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on October 19, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  11. Over the Edge: An Oral History of the Greatest Teen Rebellion Movie of All Time September 2009, Vice Magazine. Retrieved March 10, 2010.
  12. "50 Top-Grossing Films". (Week ending May 23, 1979). Variety, pp. 9.
  13. "Matt Dillon box office tallies". Archived from the original on November 22, 2006. Retrieved March 10, 2006.
  14. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on December 16, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. "NTW Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters, The". Main.wgbh.org. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
  16. The Boys of Winter at IBDb
  17. Fleming, Mike Jr. (November 2, 2016). "Lars Von Trier Sets Matt Dillon, Bruno Ganz For 'The House That Jack Built'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 1, 2017. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  18. "Matt Dillon Said Cameron Diaz Was His "Muse"". InStyle. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  19. "Matt Dillon's passion for Latin music". www.recordonline.com. January 13, 2007. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  20. Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 22, 2021). "Dark Comedy 'American Dreamer' Adds Danny Glover, Matt Dillon, Danny Pudi, Michelle Mylett". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 22, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  21. Barraclough, Leo (November 1, 2022). "Film Constellation Inks Pre-Sales on Romantic Thriller 'Haunted Heart' by Fernando Trueba, Unveils First Pic (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
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