Willem Dafoe Makes First ‘Saturday Night Live’ Hosting Debut

Actor Willem Dafoe finally made his best hosting debut on last night’s episode of “Saturday Night Live!”

Dafoe is not generally known as a comedian, but he did produce a lot of laughs on the “SNL” stage! The Wisconsin-born actor has received many accolades for his work, including the Volpi Cup for Best Actor, four Academy Awards, four Screen Actors Guild Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and a British Academy Film Award.

Dafoe, 66, started his career in New York City as a member of the experimental theater group “The Wooster Group.” From there, he starred in “The Loveless” in 1982, “Streets of Fire” in 1984, and “To Live and Die in L.A.” in 1985. He also appeared in 1986’s “Platoon” and played the role of Jesus in Martin Scorsese's “The Last Temptation of Christ.”

For Marvel fans, Dafoe is best known for playing the supervillain Norman Osborn and the Green Goblin. He first appeared in “Spider-Man” in 2002 and reprised his role in several sequences, including 2004’s “Spider-Man 2,” 2007’s “Spider-Man 3,” and 2021’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home.”

Although Dafoe appeared in many skits throughout the night, Dafoe made a splash with audiences with his opening monologue.

“I moved here when I was 21,” he recalled. “I had no money, and rented an apartment on 10th and Avenue A for 200 bucks a month, and that’s where I learned how to act. For example, I had to act like I enjoyed having a bathtub in my kitchen.”

He also talked about his early background with “The Wooster Group.” “That background really taught me how to throw myself into a role,” he explained. “Some people tell me that my acting is over the top, but to me, one man’s over the top is another man’s engaged performance.”

Although some people have criticized Nicolas Cage’s acting as “over the top,” Cage doesn’t mind. “Well, when they say that to me, I say, ‘You tell me where the top is and I’ll tell you whether or not I’m over it,’” he said.

It seems that Dafoe doesn’t mind it all that much either, saying that he has an “expressive face” that he “can’t control.”

“I don’t think about controlling it,” he explained. “I’m not one of those subtle actors like Nicolas Cage or Al Pacino. Maybe that’s why people come up to me and say, ‘You know what role you’d be perfect for? The Joker.’ Always nice to hear that you’ve got the vibe of a sociopath.”

In a similar fashion to the last few hosts, Willem Dafoe’s monologue was interrupted as he began to talk about his childhood growing up in Appleton, Wisconsin. He was interrupted by a couple played by Aidy Bryant and Mikey Day.

“You’re never going to believe this but we’re from Appleton, Wisconsin too,” Bryant said.

“That’s nice,” Dafoe replied. “You came here to support one of your own.”

“Uh, no, no,” Day said. “We got tickets from the lottery.”

“Yeah, had no idea you were hosting, but we’re huge fans,” Bryant continued. “We’ve seen all of your Spider-Man movies. Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man: The New One.”

Dafoe told them that he’s done films outside of Marvel. Day and Bryant then said that they thought that they had seen him in “Full Metal Jacket” (nope!) and “The Passion of the Christ” (swing and a miss!).

“Oh, well what about Speed 2: Cruise Control?” Bryant asked.

“Yeah, that was you in Speed 2 right?” Day added.

“That was me,” Dafoe confessed.

“Well, Appleton is just so proud of ya,” Bryant continued. ” I mean, you’re out there making movies with big Hollywood stars like Timmy Chalamet and Shrek.”

“We just wish you still had your Wisconsin accent,” Day added.

“I can still speak Wisconsin,” Dafoe said before mimicking the phrase, “Hey, you guys. Let’s go down to Krambo’s and get a drink from The Bubbler!”

“He’s still got it,” Bryant said.

Day closed the monologue, asking, “Has anyone told you, you should play The Joker?”

Fans can check out the full monologue below!