Matt Dillon

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Last Updated: 1/27/24
Real Name: Matthew Raymond Dillon
Born: February 18, 1964
Height: 5' 10"

Grade: B+
Actor/Movie Star: 20%-80%
Prime Years: 1979-83, 1988-89, 1993, 1997-98, and 2004
Most Famous Film: The Outsiders (1983)
Most Infamous Film: None
Masterpiece: Tex (1982) and The Outsiders (1983)
Outstanding: Crash (2004)
Honorable: Kansas (1988), Drugstore Cowboy (1989), Mr. Wonderful (1993), and Wild Things (1998)

Opinion: One of the most freakishly talented actors in Hollywood history, Matt Dillon made a huge impression during the early 80's that led to his label as a teen heartthrob. It's impossible to look past his boyishly handsome face. He grew to be a good, mature actor for much of the 90's and, to his credit, had never sold himself out to perform in blockbuster films. To me, Matt Dillon will always be Dallas Winston of The Outsiders, but he was even more brilliant in Tex.

Confirmed: Mostly of Irish ancestry, was named after a character in the TV show entitled Gunsmoke. Got discovered while cutting class in middle school by talent scouts who asked him to audition for a role in Over the Edge, and he was 14 years old at the time with no acting experience. It wouldn't be until starring in the first three films of S.E. Hinton's books (Tex, The Outsiders, and Rumble Fish) that Matt Dillon reached the height of his stardom which landed him on the cover of magazines for female teenagers such as Dynamite, Teen Beat, and Tiger Beat. Disliked being called a "teen idol," preferring to be taken seriously as an actor. Has a brother named Kevin who's notable for playing Bunny in Platoon.

Achieved a breakthrough in Drugstore Cowboy by showing that he had grown up as an adult and turned heads when he appeared in a sexy neo-noir picture called Wild Things. Finally achieved recognization by earning an Oscar nomination for Crash. Wrote and directed only one Hollywood movie entitled City of Ghosts starring himself and James Caan.

Was a longtime smoker but quit in 1996. Is a runner and can be found running somewhere in New York City. Has a huge collection of Latin music which includes vinyl and 78 rpm records and loves listening to Cuban music, especially from the 20's-50's. Doesn't consider himself a celebrity and isn't taken with being famous. Is most definitely not gay as many people claim him to be.

Rumors: None