Platoon Turned Willem Dafoe Into a Hollywood Legend

Willem Dafoe began his acting career in 1980 with a small, uncredited role in the film Heaven’s Gate. Over the next few years, he steadily gained momentum, and in 1986, he landed a significant part as Sergeant Elias in Platoon, a film about the Vietnam War. This role was a turning point for Dafoe, establishing him as a serious talent in Hollywood.





