Willem Dafoe to Receive Honorary Golden Bear at Berlin International Film Festival

The Berlin International Film Festival will present Willem Dafoe with an Honorary Golden Bear in recognition of the actor’s life work, the festival announced Tuesday.

Following the presentation on Feb. 20, the festival will screen Daniel Nettheim’s 2001 film “The Hunter” starring the actor.

Dafoe has over 100 film credits to his name, including “The Loveless,” “Roadhouse 66,” “To Live and Die in L.A.,” “Platoon,” “The Last Temptation of Christ,” “Cry-Baby,” “Mississippi Burning,” “American Psycho,” “Spider-Man,” “Finding Nemo,” “The Aviator,” “Inside Man,” “Mr. Bean’s Holiday,” “The Fault in Our Stars,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “John Wick” and most recently “Murder on the Orient Express.”

Also Read: That Time Willem Dafoe Found Out About His Oscar Nomination From the Babysitter

He is also currently nominated for an Oscar in the category of Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his role in “The Florida Project.” He has received two other Oscar nominations in his career: in 1987 for “Platoon,” and in 2001 for “Shadow of the Vampire.”

“Willem Dafoe is a close friend of the festival and has often been a guest at the Berlinale in the past in the scope of film screenings and even as a member of the International Jury in 2007,” said Festival Director Dieter Kosslick. “I am really looking forward now to welcoming him to the 2018 edition of the festival as a guest of honour and recognising his lifetime achievement with the Honorary Golden Bear.”

Also Read: Willem Dafoe Lands Cinema Vanguard Award from Santa Barbara Film Fest

Dafoe was also one of the founding members of the New York theatre ensemble “The Wooster Group.” He’s also worked on stage at The Public Theatre and on two international productions with Robert Wilson. He most recently performed in the theatre piece, “The Minister’s Black Veil,” based on Nathanial Hawthorne’s short story.

13 Golden Globes Snubs and Surprises, From Sam Rockwell to Tommy Wiseau (Photos)

Here's who the HFPA embraced -- and skipped -- during the 75th Golden Globes on Jan. 7.
Surprise: Sam Rockwell, Best Supporting Actor for "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri"

Rockwell winning for his role in Martin McDonagh's drama is a clear upset over other nominees Willem Dafoe, Christopher Plummer and Armie Hammer.
Fox Searchlight
Snub: Willem Dafoe, Best Supporting Actor for "The Florida Project"

Dafoe was a clear frontrunner for his role in "The Florida Project," and Armie Hammer and Christopher Plummer were considered strong contenders too, but Sam Rockwell managed to upset them all.
A24
Surprise: Rachel Brosnahan, Best Actress in a TV Series Musical or Comedy for "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"

Pamela Adlon and Issa Rae were snubbed in this category as Brosnahan won for a new show by the creator of "Gilmore Girls" from Amazon Studios.
Amazon
Snub: Tommy Wiseau not being allowed to speak on stage

James Franco called "The Room" filmmaker Tommy Wiseau on stage while accepting his award for Best Actor Musical or Comedy for "The Disaster Artist," a movie about the making of "The Room." When Wiseau gunned for the microphone, Franco pushed him away. The crowd -- and a good portion of the Twitterati -- anxiously waited for Wiseau to speak, but he never did.
Getty Images
Surprise: "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" wins Best Screenplay

Sure, the race was tight between Greta Gerwig's "Lady Bird" and McDonagh's "Three Billboards" -- but many thought the award would go to Gerwig due to the fact that it's more heartfelt and has become the best-reviewed film in Rotten Tomatoes history.
Fox Searchlight
Snub: Robert De Niro, Best Actor in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made For Television for "The Wizard of Lies"

Many predicted De Niro to win in this category, or Kyle MacLachlan for "Twin Peaks." But instead, Ewan McGregor won the award for "Fargo."
HBO
Surprise: Aziz Ansari, Best Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy for "Master of None"

Anthony Anderson for "black-ish" is always a strong contender, and voters apparently really liked the revived “Will and Grace,” so Eric McCormack was a frontrunner. TheWrap's Steve Pond predicted Kevin Bacon would win for "I Love Dick," but in the end, Ansari took home the prize.
Snub: "The Shape of Water" for Best Picture -- Drama

“The Shape of Water” has gotten raves for its gloriously imaginative filmmaking, yet it was snubbed for "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri."
Surprise: "Lady Bird" wins Best Motion Picture -- Musical or Comedy

"Lady Bird," "The Disaster Artist" and "Get Out" were sure frontrunners, but many had thought "Get Out" would win due to its social criticism (although the HFPA received criticism for accepting it as a comedy). "Lady Bird" is also a surprising win given that director Greta Gerwig wasn't even nominated in the Best Director category.
A24
Snub: "Get Out"

Jordan Peele's directorial debut was one of the most-talked about films in 2017, but the HFPA sent the film, starring Daniel Kaluuya and Allison Williams, home empty-handed.
Universal
Surprise: "This Is Me" for Best Original Song from "The Greatest Showman"

The category had a lot of great nominees, including "Remember Me" from "Coco" and Nick Jonas' "Home" for "Ferdinand."
Fox
Snub: "Call Me by Your Name"

"Call Me by Your Name," starring Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer, was a strong contender in multiple categories, but one of the most critically-revered films in 2017 went home without one Golden Globe award.
SPC
Snub: "The Post"

Like "Call Me by Your Name," Steven Spielberg's drama starring Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks took home zero awards.
Fox