Matt Dillon, was born Matthew Raymond Dillon in New Rochelle, New York on February 18, 1964. Matt is considered one of the most underrated actors of our time. Matt is the second oldest of four brothers and one sister. His younger brother Kevin is also an actor. Matt's grandmother, Bea Dillon, is the sister of Alex Raymond. Alex created the cartoon strip Flash Gordon. Bea is also the sister of Jim Raymond who drew the comic strip Blondie for about 40 years. Matt's father is an investment manager and a portrait painter. His mother is a homemaker.
Matt Dillon attended Hommocks Junior High School and later Mamaroneck Senior High until his junior year. He was discovered at the high school by Vic Ramos. Ramos became Matt’s manager; he knew Matt would become a star!
At age 15, Matt’s career was launched when he was cast as Richie White, a tough teen hoodlum, in the movie "Over the Edge". Matt went on to star in many films during his teenage years including: “Little Darlings”, “Tex”, and “The Flamingo Kid.” He became an instant teen idol and was repeatedly seen on magazine covers such as Tiger Beat and Sixteen.
Matt is remembered for his early tough guy roles including Dallas Winston in “The Outsiders.” But also everyone knows him as “the guy with the teeth” in “There’s Something About Mary.” He dated co-star Cameron Diaz for a few years.
Matt’s most critically acclaimed role was that as drug-addict Bob Hughes in Gus Van Sant’s 1989 film "Drugstore Cowboy". Matt shot an ad campaign for Skechers footwear. The ad appeared in magazines in 2001 and early 2002. Matt co-owns a bar and restaurant in New York City, where he currently resides in the Upper West Side. Matt has won the Motion Picture Bookers Club - Star of Tomorrow Award and the 1990 Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead in "Drugstore Cowboy." He also won an MTV Movie Award in 1999 for Best Villain in "There's Something About Mary." In 2001, he was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for his narration of Jack Kerouac's novel "On The Road."
Matt has now begun writing and directing films. He has directed an episode of HBO's "Oz". His directorial debut movie “City of Ghosts” was released May 9, 2003 in selected cities. Matt wrote the movie and stars with James Caan and Gerard Depardieu.
