William James Dafoe is an American film and voice actor best known for portraying dark and unconventional movie characters. He is a versatile actor who chooses his roles more based on their artistic merit than on their box office potential. He has acted in various positions ranging from an idealistic FBI agent in 'Mississippi Burning' to the vicious green goblin in 'Spiderman.' His well-defined cheekbones and strong jaws give him a look that suits the villainous roles that he often portrays. But he is also careful not to be typecast as a villain and believes in exploring different positions to help him develop as an actor. He played negative roles in 'To Live and Die in L.A.,' 'The Loveless,' and 'Streets of Fire' during the 1980s. Desiring some variety in the kind of characters he played, Dafoe portrayed the kind-hearted 'Sergeant Elias' in Oliver Stone's 'Platoon'—a role that earned him an 'Academy Award nomination for 'Best Supporting Actor.' Next, he depicted Jewish boxer Salamo Arouch,' a holocaust survivor, in the film 'Triumph of the Spirit.' Soon, he became famous as a character actor. He is also a voice actor and has made several television appearances.