Dorff began playing in the late 1980s, getting only minor characters in the beginning. He made guest appearances in television programs such as Diff’rent Strokes, Blossom, Roseanne, Married With Children. He appeared in the television movies In Love and War, I Know My First Name is Steven and Just What a Dummy. Dorff’s first important movie role was in The Gate (1987), a horror movie about a lad who, and also a buddy, finds a hole in his back yard which is a gateway to Hell. In 1992 he starred in The Ability of One reverse Sir John Gielgud and Daniel Craig. In 1996, he starred in the movie Space Truckers and with Candy Darling in I Shot Andy Warhol, a picture about Valerie Solanas, the woman notorious for shooting pop-art icon Andy Warhol. He was among the first performers to play in the initial digitally downloadable film, SightSound.com’s Quantum Project, also starring John Cleese. He’s famous for his part as the wicked vampire Deacon Frost in the superhero horror movie, Blade (1998). Dorff recently starred in the drama Somewhere, directed by Sofia Coppola. In a interview using The Chic Spy, he described what landing the part meant to him after the decline of his mom, “It almost felt just like a savior, this film, since I felt like it helped me … I had been real empty inside so it was an unbelievable thing that got me grin.” In 2004, Dorff starred in the music video for “Everytime” by Britney Spears, playing Spears’ boyfriend. Lately, Dorff has appeared in television and print ads for Blucigs, an ECIG business.
Young Artist Awards (1991), ShoWest Convention, USA (1992), Blockbuster Entertainment Awards (1999), MTV Movie Awards (1999), New York City Horror Film Festival - Best Actor (2007),
Nominations
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA (1988), Young Artist Awards
Movies
“The Power of One” (1992), “Judgment Night” (1993), “Blade” (1998), “Backbeat” (1994), “Alone in the Dark” (2005), “The Gate” (1987), Melvin in “American Hero” (2015)
TV Shows
XIII
Star Sign
Leo
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Quote
1
My dad is Jewish so I was kinda brought up half-Jewish.
2
(2011) When I lost my mom, my whole life changed. It changed the way I thought about everything, about how I woke up every morning.
3
(2010) I do credit my mom and my dad that even in my more rebellious years, I didn't cross the line. There was never an E! True Hollywood Story about me, I never got arrested. Yeah, I partied, and went a little crazy with the girls and had my drinking days, but I never got addicted to hard-core drugs, and I really do believe it's because I was lucky enough to have a family that really guarded me in a city like this.
4
(2010) I pretty much lived movie to movie in my younger years because I loved spending money and I didn't really have a concept of "assets," but as I got a little older, I bought art. I got all these cool pictures - a Warhol painting, a Basquiat drawing, a little Keith Haring - every time I had a little extra money. But for a while there, I was just living movie to movie. "Oh, I need a job? All right, what's out there? Okay, I'll take that one."
5
(On Public Enemies (2009)) Public Enemies was a six-month shoot. I love Michael (Mann), but I don't know. We shot that movie for a long time, and when you see the movie, there's a lot of parts I like in it, but there are so many characters. I was like, "Where did it all go?" I didn't even know where Johnny's character was, and he was Dillinger. I loved the gun-battle scenes, I loved the look of the film, but I kind of lost my character in there, and I was, "Oh-kay, that was half a year" ... But I love Michael Mann. I was going through a tough time when he offered me that movie. I didn't think I could do the movie because I was losing my mom - she hadn't left me yet, but it was headed that way...
6
(2008, on Hollywood) I don't know how it works. There's been times when I've wondered, 'Why the fuck am I not getting that movie?' There's so much to this game like who's hot and all that. If you stay true and work with great directors, that's all I can hope for. Right now, I feel the most solid and my work is the best it's ever been. I feel fortunate.
7
I like to make movies about characters. I like smaller films, that's what I love to do.
8
I enjoy my lifestyle, living by the beach in Venice. I'm not afraid to admit I enjoy the money.
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Fact
1
Has appeared in commercials for Blu E-cigs.
2
Has claustrophobia.
3
Somewhere (2010) preview and reception in Tokyo, Japan. [January 2011]
Vacationed in St-Tropez, France, also attending a Kanye West party. [July 2006]
7
Attended the 67th Venice International Film Festival in Italy. [September 2010]
8
Attended the 2002 Cannes Film Festival in France. [May 2002]
9
Attended the The 32nd Annual Toronto International Film Festival in Canada. [September 2007]
10
Vacationed and attended a variety of small celebrity events in St-Tropez, France. [August 2007]
11
West Hollywood, California [April 2004]
12
Attended the 2000 Cannes Film Festival in France. [May 2000]
13
When not working, he often vacations in St-Tropez, France, over his birthday.
14
Mother Nancy died of brain cancer in February 2008.
15
According to director Iain Softley, as soon as he met Stephen Dorff, he knew that he would be perfect to portray Stuart Sutcliffe in Backbeat (1994).
16
Was listed as a potential nominee on both the 2004 and 2006 Razzie Award nominating ballots. He was suggested in the Worst Supporting Actor category on the 2004 ballot for his role in the film Cold Creek Manor (2003). And he was suggested again two years later in the Worst Supporting Actor category of the 2006 Razzie nominating ballot for his performance in the film Alone in the Dark (2005). He failed to receive either nomination.
17
Is credited with providing the "ugh" on Lenny Kravitz' recording of "American Woman" (1999).
18
Was considered for the part of Jack in Titanic (1997). Stephen was glad that he didn't play the part because he would have been always remembered for being that guy on the boat.