Who is Matt Dillon?

Matt Dillon is an American actor and film director who rose to prominence in the 1980s. Born on February 18, 1964, in New Rochelle, New York, Dillon initially gained recognition for his roles in coming-of-age films such as “Over the Edge” and “Little Darlings.”

He later solidified his status as a leading man with memorable performances in “Drugstore Cowboy,” “Wild Things,” and “Crash.” Throughout his career, Dillon has demonstrated a wide range of acting abilities, earning critical acclaim and numerous awards for his work in both independent and mainstream films.

In this article, let us take you to a time machine and bring back the young Matt Dillon over the years. Here are some Matt Dillon young photos to reminisce.

Photos of Matt Dillon When He Was Younger:

1. Young Matt Dillon

Matthew Raymond Dillon was born on February 18, 1964. Her mother, Mary Ellen, gave birth to him at the New Rochelle in New York. Young Matt Dillon grew up in Mamaroneck in New York City. He was the second child in six children of Marry Ellen and Paul Dillon. Young Matt Dillon goes to Hommocks in Middle School, then Mamoroneck in High School. He soon transferred to Lee Strasberg Theatre to study and finish his acting classes.

2. Young Matt Dillon in the late 70s

The young Matt Dillon in the late 70s was featured in various magazines. Hailed as one of the young heartthrobs, his fangirls go crazy and head over heels with his soft boy look. In this year, young Matt Dillon began to be known in the acting industry and is starting to build his name in the film industry. With his fresh-faced boyish aura, he surely captivates the heart of the young teenage girls.

3. Young Matt Dillon in his first-ever film

In 1979, the young Matt Dillon debuted his first-ever film released in May 1979. Matt Dillon auditioned for the role of Richie White, a charming but bad boy character in the Over the Edge movie. Making this film his breakthrough moment in the acting industry, in which he was also selected to play a role in two (2) films that are set to launch in the year following his debut film.

4. Young Matt Dillion as Randy Adams

Following his first film, Over the Edge, young Matt Dillon was cast again to play the role of Randy Adams. The movie was Little Darlings, a comedy and drama film for teens, and it was released on March 21, 1980, making it the second film of Matt Dillon. Little Darlings hits the box office with 

34, 326,249 million US dollars, critiques said that the film thrives in some ways, showing scary and sexual scenes at the same time.

5. Matt Dillon in the 80s in the film entitled: My Bodyguard

The second movie of young Matt Dillon in the 80s is the film entitled: My Bodyguard. A comedy-drama movie starring Matt Dillon as Melvin Moody. His role in this film is a bully who always picks on the lead role who later on hires a bodyguard to protect himself from Melvin. This film was released on July 11, 1980, and it was also delegated as the best drama written; however, they failed to secure the Oscar nomination for the best original screenplay. This movie makes the young Matt Dillon popular among the teen audience.

6. Matt in “Liar’s Moon,”

In September 1982, young Matt Dillon made his first-ever lead role in the romantic, drama, and tragedy film “Liar’s Moon,” in which he portrayed the character of Jack Duncan. His role was a common laborer teenager who fell in love with Ginny, the banker’s daughter. According to some sources, the film consists of two (2) endings, and it will be determined on what theatre you watch the film. The film Liar’s Moon was released on September 2, 1982.

7. Matt in Tex

Young Matt Dillon also starred in another 1980s drama film called “Tex.” He was also the main lead of this movie in his character portrayed as Texas “Tex” McCormick. The story revolves around the brothers who grapple with the hard life after the death of their mother. The film Tex was made by the Walt Disney Studios and critically acclaimed to be compelling films as it tackles mature issues. The film Tex was released on July 30 1982.

8. Matt Dillon in The Outsiders

One of the most popular films of young Matt Dillon is The Outsiders. The coming of age film was later on released in the United States on March 25, 1983. The movie consists of various well-known actors, including Matt Dillon. The Outsiders received a lot of constructive reviews, and the film was nominated for the Young Artists Awards and won the Best Young Motion Picture. The Outsiders was based on a novel written by S.E. Hinton.

9. Matt Dillon’s last film in 1980 is the Rumble Fish

Young Matt Dillon’s last film in 1980 is the Rumble Fish. It is a drama movie where he played Rusty James’s role. He was the brother of the lead role whom he wished to be like him. Rumble Fish was based on another S.E. Hinton novel written in 1975; the film Rumble Fish was later on released on October 21, 1983, with a total of 2, 494, 480 US dollars in the box office hit.

10. In his first-ever Broadway play The Boys of Winter.

Not only did he prosper in the film industry, but young Matt Dillon also performed in a Broadway play. His first-ever Broadway play is The Boys of Winter, launched in 1985. This made him show his genuine talent in acting that made him cast in various films by different directors who were amazed by his acting talent. Matt Dillon also tries to do some voice-overs for Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam, a 1987 film documentary. 

11. Matt in Drugstore Cowboy

He then won his first award in 1989 because of his one-of-a-kind portrayal in Drugstore Cowboy as a substance addict. He bagged the best male lead in the Independent Spirit Award in 1989. At the same time, the film itself won the best screenplay in the L.A. Film Critics Association, the best film, and director in the National Society of Film Critics, and another best screenplay in the New York Film Critics Circle.

12. Matt in Singles

Matt Dillon continues his luck in the film industry until the year 1990. He then starred in the 1992 film entitled “Singles,” where he tries to do a different genre of romantic comedy film together with his co-star Bridget Fonda. His film Singles was shown on September 18, 1992, and has gained an 18 million dollars box office hit. The genre suited him, and then later on filmed some movies related to the romantic and comedy genre.

13. Matt in “To Die For”

He also shined in the 1995 film “To Die For” together with Nicole Kidman. The movie’s genre is a black comedy crime movie that is based on Joyce Maynard’s novel. However, the film was ruled out at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival. Still, his film was critiqued as a good dark comedy genre; the characters in the film were portrayed well. Indeed, to die for was one of the best films that Matt Dillon starred in.

14. Wild Things, and There’s something about Mary

Matt Dillon also starred in the films Wild Things, and There’s something about Mary with Cameron Diaz in 1998. He received the best villain award in the MTV Movie Award in 1998. In this picture, he was seen attending the MTV Movie Awards together with her former partner Cameron Diaz who also starred in the film “There’s something about Mary.” Matt Dillon was remembered to win the best male lead in his past movie.

15. His first directed movie is the City of Ghosts

Matt Dillon also started writing and directing films by himself, and his first directed movie is the City of Ghosts, in which he starred himself as one of the lead roles. City of Ghosts is a 2002 film directed by Matt Dillon himself. It is a crime thriller genre, and it was shot in Cambodia. The film only gained a 1.3 million dollar box office hit because of its limited release in the theatres.

16. Best Supporting Actor in the Golden Globe Award and Academy Award

His hard work and passion for acting were later recognized as he won the Best Supporting Actor in the Golden Globe Award and Academy Award for the role he portrayed in the film Crash. This film, where he portrayed Sergeant John Ryan, helps him pave his way to winning the best supporting actor, of course, with his co-stars and the lead role Sandra Bullock. The crash is a crime and drama film released on September 10, 2004, and May 6, 2005, in the United States.

17. In the series of Wayward Pines

In 2015, Matt Dillon portrayed the Secret Service Agent role in the series of Wayward Pines. This FOX series is a mystery and science fiction where Matt Dillon appears in the first season of Wayward Pines as a secret agent who investigates the mysterious crimes in their small town. Matt Dillon played the role of Ethan Burke in season one (1) of FOX’s series, the Wayward Pines.

18. Lots of Roles

With lots of roles played by the versatile actor, Matt Dillon, indeed he is one of the film industry. In 2019, he starred in the short film with the title “Nimic,” and in 2020, he directed and produced a documentary called “The Great Fellow.” And now, in 2021, Matt Dillon is gearing up again for the release of two exquisite films starring himself, which have the title American Dreamer and Asteroid City.

19. Never goes out of style

Matt Dillon indeed never goes out of style. We can remember him making his name in the industry at 14-15 years old by starring in different films with different genres. Teen magazines and tabloids always feature him as he was the crowd favorite of his time. With his deep and baritone voice and the bad boy look, surely the teens of their times are head over heels on him. His good acting skills make him also stand out from other teen actors, and the role he gave justice with the role he portrays in every film he makes. One of the things that interest him is Cuban music and collecting Cuban vinyl.

20. Versatile and famous actor of all times

There you have it, the famous Matt Dillon from overtime. From being a student who always cut his classes, to a new versatile and famous actor of all times. Being the bad boy of the year 1980s and the teenagers’ heartthrob, Matt Dillon paves his way to being a popular actor, and it is because of his perseverance and pure passion for acting. His acting skills stand out and his creativity in directing his films like the Good Ghost, his first ever film directed by him. He also makes noise on the Broadway play at an early age making him more popular in 1980.