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Willem Dafoe Unmasked: His Horror Addiction & ‘Late Fame’ Secrets
Willem Dafoe Chats About His New Movie "Late Fame" and His Love for Scary Movies
TL;DR: Famous actor Willem Dafoe visited the TODAY show to talk about his new film Late Fame (about a forgotten poet who gets discovered) and shared that the movie Psycho scared him the most as a kid. He also says he prefers looking forward to new projects rather than dwelling on the past.
What Happened on the Show?
On August 4, 2026, actor Willem Dafoe sat down with the TODAY show hosts for a 5-minute interview. He discussed:
- His brand-new movie "Late Fame"
- His thoughts on fame and getting older
- His lifelong love of horror movies
- The one film that terrified him as a child
About the New Movie: "Late Fame"
Think of it like this: Imagine you wrote poems your whole life, but nobody read them. Then, years later, someone finds them and suddenly everyone thinks you’re a genius. That’s the story!
Key Points About the Film:
- Genre: Drama
- Main Character: A forgotten poet (played by Dafoe)
- Plot Twist: His work gets rediscovered later in life
- Theme: Fame, aging, and second chances
Willem’s Thoughts on Fame & Time
Important Quote:
"I try to look back as little as possible. I’m always looking forward to the next thing."
What This Means (ELI5 Version):
- Dafoe doesn’t like staring at his past awards or old movies
- He’s like a shark — he keeps swimming forward to new projects
- He believes today’s work matters more than yesterday’s applause
Dafoe’s Horror Movie Confession
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Loves horror? | YES — big fan! |
| Scariest movie as a kid? | Psycho (1960 classic by Alfred Hitchcock) |
| Why it stuck with him | The shower scene, the music, the surprise — it changed how movies scare people |
Fun Fact: Psycho came out in 1960. Dafoe was born in 1955, so he was just a little kid when it terrified him!
Other Cool Videos from the Same Episode
The TODAY show had a whole playlist of segments that day. Here are some highlights:
Celebrity Interviews
- Tim Robbins – Silo twist & poker with Common (5:38)
- Kyle Chandler – Playing Hal Jordan in Lanterns (two segments!)
- Callum Turner & Monica Barbaro – New film One Night Only (5:47)
- Lea Thompson & Tracy Spiridakos – Anna Pigeon series (5:06)
- Ella Rubin – Sterling Point series (6:52)
Books & Pop Culture
- Jenna Bush Hager – August 2026 book club pick (1:27)
- Anne Hathaway – Princess Diaries 25th anniversary (1:17)
- Nicole Kidman & Sandra Bullock – Surprise Practical Magic fans (1:03)
Music & Viral Moments
- Harry Styles – Slips onstage in rain, keeps singing (0:42)
- Zac Brown Band – Gives away cruise at Fenway Park (1:06)
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day – Breaks Avengers: Endgame record (1:24)
Fun & Lighthearted
- Dylan Dreyer – Vacation, moving, in-laws (10:26)
- Sheinelle Jones & Dylan Dreyer – Play "Get A Clue" game (3:20)
- Surfing Dogs Championship – California (0:48)
- Squirrel interrupts MLB game – Staffers chase it (4:14)
- Ariana Grande – Addresses break from public eye (2:49)
- Lindsay Czarniak – True crime series Game Day Murders (6:37)
- Alamo Drafthouse – Names theater after Matthew McConaughey (0:57)
Why This Matters (Even If You’re Not a Movie Buff)
Callout: Big Picture Takeaway
- Legends stay curious: Dafoe has been acting for 40+ years but still gets excited about new roles
- Childhood fears shape us: Even tough actors remember the movie that scared them at age 5
- TODAY = variety show: One episode = movies, books, music, viral videos, dogs, squirrels & true crime
Summary
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Who | Willem Dafoe (actor: Spider-Man, The Lighthouse, Poor Things) |
| What | Interview on TODAY show |
| When | August 4, 2026 |
| Main Project | Late Fame — drama about a rediscovered poet |
| Personal Philosophy | "Look forward, not back" |
| Fun Reveal | Psycho (1960) scared him most as a kid |
| Bonus | 18 other segments in the same episode playlist |
FAQ
1. What is "Late Fame" about?
It’s a drama where Willem Dafoe plays a poet nobody cared about — until decades later, when someone discovers his work and he suddenly becomes famous. It explores what happens when fame comes late in life.
2. Why does Willem Dafoe like horror movies?
He didn’t explain why in this short clip, but he said he’s a fan. Many actors love horror because it lets them explore fear, tension, and raw emotion — great acting practice!
3. Is Psycho really that scary?
For 1960? Yes. It broke all the rules: killed the main star halfway through, showed a toilet flushing (first time!), and had that iconic shower scene with screechy violin music. It invented the modern slasher movie.
4. How long was Dafoe’s interview?
5 minutes and 6 seconds — short but packed with good stuff!
5. Where can I watch the full interview?
On the TODAY show website or their YouTube channel — search "Willem Dafoe Late Fame August 2026."
Final Thought
Willem Dafoe’s advice — simple but powerful:
Don’t stare at your trophies. Make the next thing.
And if a black-and-white movie from 1960 still gives you chills? That’s good taste.
Article based on TODAY show video page content from August 4, 2026. All video titles, durations, and descriptions preserved from original source.
