Actor Willem Dafoe, who has featured in almost 150 films, has become the first celebrity to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this year. Dafoe was felicitated on Monday afternoon in California. In attendance were his wife, Giada Colagrande, along with friends and former co-stars such as Pedro Pascal, Patricia Arquette, Mark Ruffalo, and Camila Morrone.
During his speech, Willem Dafoe expressed his gratitude for being a part of the artistic and entertainment community.
He said, ‘I just want to say it's wonderful to be part of this community of artists and entertainers, people that -- by sharing their experience, imagining others' perspectives, telling stories, and musing on what is, was, and most importantly could be. They make us feel closer to each other and connect us, creating an important dialogue particularly needed in these detached, technology-driven and divisive times.’
Willem continued, ‘So I'm glad to be with people like this and hopefully we're making this a better world somehow.’
The actor wrapped his speech by giving a shout-out to his wife and director Giada Colagrande.
He said, ‘Finally, thank you to my wife Giada Colagrande, who teaches me gratitude and reminds me not to spit on my luck.’
Dafoe and Giada Colagrande, have worked on four films together: ‘Padre, A Woman’, ‘Before It Had A Name’, and the documentary ‘Bob Wilson's Life And Death Of Marina Abramovic’.
During the event, prominent Hollywood actors Pedro Pascal and Patricia Arquette paid tribute to Dafoe's compassion and talent, with Pascal describing him as ‘the greatest American actor of our lifetime,’ as per CNN report.
Dafoe most recently played a rebel scientist in Yorgos Lanthimos' 'Poor Things'.
He has received four Oscar nominations: one for best actor for his depiction of Van Gogh, and three for best supporting actor.