Explain this to me: In the span of a week, Stephen Dorff has landed a role playing a porn star in a comedy co-penned by Adam Sandler called Born to Be a Star, on top of the lead role in the next Sofia Coppolamovie, Somewhere. Quick: Can you name one Stephen Dorff movie? I couldn’t. I know his face, but had to do an IMDB check for a refresher on his career. He’s been steadily working since the ’80s, but his recent work seems to be comprised of the schlock-horror and direct-to-DVD variety. And, the forgettable Oliver Stone opus, World Trade Center.
I have to ask, in all fairness and with all due respect: What did he do to earn this career resurgence? Sure, an Adam Sandler-written comedy isn’t a huge get, but this one co-stars Christina Ricci (who’s great) and has a funny premise about a couple discovering their parents were famous porn stars. The Coppola movie, on the other hand, is kind of a big deal, if only because they are as rare as solar eclipses, or McDonald’s Shamrock Shakes. Her last film was 2006’s Marie Antoinette, which came and went, but she did propel Bill Murray to critical acclaim and awards glory for Lost in Translation. And Dorff’s role in Somewhere, where he’ll play an excess-loving actor with an 11-year-old daughter (Elle Fanning) who suddenly enters his life, sounds like a perfect platform to turn heads. But certainly you’ll agree, it’s odd to see him transition from Fear Dot Com and a Britney Spears video to these high-profile roles and a bit part in this summer’s Public Enemies. It’ll be interesting to see how this all goes down.
Are there any Stephen Dorff fans out there? Will his volatile, hard-edged persona be good for these movies? And do you think he’s headed for a Mickey Rourke-style comeback into the hearts of audiences and casting agents everywhere?
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Are you kidding? I loved him as Deacon Frost in Blade!!!
Must admit, I’m a HUGE Stephen Dorff Fan. I could certainly pass on Blade and the like, but still have a warm spot for him as a result of awesome roles in the 90s in the moving film about racism in South Africa, The Power of One (with Morgan Freeman), the biting and even-more-relevant today satire S.F.W (with Reese Witherspoon), and his awesome performance in Backbeat as Stuart Sutcliffe, the almost fifth Beatle. And no, I didn’t have to look those up.
My favorite part of this report is the reference to “McDonald’s Shamrock Shakes.” They truly are the Holy Grail of fast-food milkshakes.
Yeah, but The Power of One movie’s third act was out of left field and really, really paint-by-the-numbers. The novel’s unglamorous denouement in the mining camp could have been done in the film easily and fulfilled its power.
Come on! Stephen Dorff…the man who did one of the greatest villians ever on film! It is called Blade and his Deacon Frost, I would say, ranks up there with Heath Ledgers Joker. Maybe not as good but still pretty darn brutal and effective. For that character alone I give him a pass on whatever else he will ever do.
Celebrity Apprentice!
I like Stephen Dorff. Go hate on something useful like Twilight, EW.
I am a huge Stephen Dorff fan. I LOVED “The Power of One” and have adored him ever since. He was part of the awesome ensemble that made up “Judgement Night” and check out the lesser known “Steal.” Now that was an action movie. I am very excited for any movie that he does that hits the big screen
He was in Entropy!!!
Well i enjoyed his tv movie last month called thriteen – http://www.athletesinglesdating.com
I adored Stephen Dorf from the first time I saw him in the “Power of One” in the 8th grade. I have followed his career since then. Some good, some bad, and some really weird (I haven’t forgotten you, Cecil B. Demented). But he was one of my first movie star crushes and holds a special place for that.
Someone already mentioned it but he was GREAT as Deacon Frost in Blade. I felt he should have became a huge star after that movie. Why you hatin EW? He’s still young and has a long career ahead of him. Unlike most child stars he isn’t a crackhead
This is great news. I love Stephen Dorff. He was great in “Blade” and “Deuces Wild” and he’s the only reason I’ve watched Britney Spears’ video for “Everytime” about 10 times.
if this is the same Stephen Dorff who played Stu Sutcliffe in Backbeat – hell, yeah!! beutiful and brilliant performance that
I own both S.F.W. and Backbeat for Dorff’s performances. Haven’t been able to bring myself to watch his latest stuff and don’t like anything by Sandler but I am very interested to see what Coppola will do with him.
dorff is a talent and always has been. the only surprise is the ammount of time this comeback took.
Seems like everyone forgot his 80s horror classic, “The Gate.”
A movie about playing a heavy metal record backwards, causing the gateway to hell to open in your backyard really shouldn’t be forgettable!
stephen deserves to be huge.very talented actor..
I don’t know if I’m going to go out of my way to cheerlead for him, but hating on him certainly isn’t necessary. Guy is talented. (Plus, you guys. THE GATE. The Gate, you guys.)
Don’t forget that he was in Blade…… Sofia Coppola’s movies are INSANELY overrated (they are so horrible). Hope that the Adam Sandler cmedy brings him good fortune.
What an incredibly cynical post. What has he done to deserve a comeback? I dunno, maybe he’s talented or something?!? My question is, what has he done to deserve the hate from you, Jeremy? Just a little reminder: lots of A-listers are actually better at publicity than acting, and plenty of lesser-knowns are loaded with talent.
I totally agree with wildecat.Stephen is very underated actor.Wish him best luck!
I love Stephen Dorff, he’s great and very underrated. I’m really excited to see his new stuff
I admit, I am a Stephen Dorff fan. I remember the first time seeing him when I first saw Blade four years ago. I thought his talent was different from other actors I liked, and eventually I wanted to see more of him in movies.
Of course, I noticed he in mostly direct-to-DVD films, and it’s sad that we don’t see him often on the big screen. I think he’s great at playing roles he loves to death, like his villanous Deaacon. Brilliant I say. And quite good looking too.
This year and the next will be his biggest comeback I believe. I think we need actors like him whom we don’t see very often but have very good acting skills, get them into bigger movies and have a possitive outlook for the future. Since now he’s in two big movies like Public Enemies, the upcomign Somewhere and also hoping to revive his Deacon Frost role for next year, I think this will be a good year for him to shapen up and add some uniqueness to his movies. I’ll be happy to run to the nearest theater for Public Enemies
Stephen Dorff’s father is one of the best songwriters ever (“Through the Years”..”I’ll Never Fall In Love Again”) etc., etc. Great talent runs in the family and his little brother Andrew is a huge musical talent in Nashville! It’s in the genes.
For Jeremy … Yes he has a big fans all over the world, for God Sake why all of that hate to the guy Jeremy ???? I don’t get it ????
FYI he has marvellous movies like steal, Den of Lions, the heades Factor, and his final best release Felon… My God is not so hard to make a simple search on Internet about him and you will find all his good work…
Please where do you live dear????
By the way I’m his big fans from JORDAN … Got It!!!!!
Plus he don’t need comeback because he is always available in good movies
Love you Stephen Dorff, you are the best actor, to hell every thing else
For Jeremy … Yes he has a big fans all over the world, for God Sake why all of that hate to the guy Jeremy ???? I don’t get it ????
FYI he has marvellous movies like steal, Den of Lions, the heades Factor, and his final best release Felon… My God is not so hard to make a simple search on Internet about him and you will find all his good work…
Please where do you live dear????
By the way I’m his big fans from JORDAN … Got It!!!!!