Who Is Willem Dafoe’s Wife? All About Giada Colagrande

Willem Dafoe and his wife Giada Colagrande were a perfect couple even before they got married in 2005.

The two first met by chance in Italy, and Dafoe was already familiar with her work as a director.

“I met my wife on the street in Rome in 2004,” he said Guard 2009. “I knew about her because I had seen her movies and we had some mutual friends.”

Dafoe co-wrote Colagrande’s second feature film, Before it had a namewhich premiered in 2005. Since then, they have collaborated on several projects, including the 2010 Woman and Italian drama Padre.

“The collaboration I have with Willem is ideal… Intense, clean, no distractions,” said Colagrande Vogue Italy. “He doesn’t act like a star; if anything, an artist.”

So who is Willem Dafoe’s wife? Here’s everything you need to know about Giada Colagrande.

She is an actress and director

Giada Colagrande and Willem Dafoe attend the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

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In addition to her extensive work as a director and producer, Colagrande has acting credits.

Her first role was in Aprimi il Cuorewhich in translation means Open My Heart. The love-drama film premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2002 and follows two sisters who have a dark and intense relationship.

The film, which was a success at European film festivals, was made on a shoestring budget of about $5,000 — a gift to Colagrande from her grandmother.

“She has three grandchildren and she gave each of us $5,000. My cousin bought a car: I made a movie,” she told the Australian newspaper. Age in an interview from 2004.

She grew up in a family composed exclusively of women

Giada Colagrande at the 8th Rome Film Festival.

Stefania D’Alessandro/WireImage

Speaking with Age about her film Aprimi il CuoreColagrande explained that she was always drawn to “morbid, visceral, intense, strong relationships, extreme relationships”, and she – like the characters in her debut film – grew up without a father figure.

“I grew up in a family where all were women. I have a very close relationship with my mother and grandmother,” she said. “I didn’t grow up with a father, so men have always been very fascinating, but also an object you’re looking for [that] you fall in love beyond yourself.”

Colagrande added: “However, the film has nothing to do with my personal story. I have no sisters and I have never had an incestuous relationship.”

She and Dafoe made their red carpet debut at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival

Willem Dafoe and Giada Colagrande during the 2005 Cannes Film Festival.

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In 2005, the two appeared as newlyweds at the Cannes Film Festival. Walking the red carpet for Broken flowers premiere, the couple grinned and hugged while wearing formal black ensembles.

Dafoe and Colagrande have since walked the red carpet several times together. In February 2020, they were photographed at Siberia premiered at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival.

Her and Dafoe’s wedding was “very impulsive”

Willem Dafoe and his wife Giada Colagrande attend the premiere of ‘Antichrist’ in 2009.

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The couple’s marriage was low-key from the start; they preferred a more intimate affair to an elaborate occasion for their wedding.

“Getting married was very impulsive and romantic. We were having lunch and I said, ‘Are you getting married tomorrow?’ Dafoe said Guard 2009 “I called the city hall and they said, ‘If you come in the next few hours, you can register and then you can get married tomorrow.’ ”

“So we ran down,” he continued. “We got married the next day with only two witnesses, our best friends: my manager and her editor.”

She is the stepmother to Dafoe’s son

Willem Dafoe with his son Jack at the 73rd Academy Awards.

LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP/Getty

Dafoe is the father of Jack Dafoe’s grown son from his previous marriage to director Elizabeth LeCompte.

Colagrande is 21 years younger than Dafoe. Although the couple does not have children together, it is something that is not out of the question for Dafoe.

“Well, my wife is still young enough and I have no problem being an older dad,” he told za The Daily Telegraph in 2009.

She and Dafoe live in Rome

Willem Dafoe and Giada Colagrande at the 58th Berlinale Film Festival 2008.

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The couple split their time between New York and Colagrande’s native Italy, where they live in Rome. Dafoe is now an Italian citizen and speaks the language.

“I have lived in New York for more than 40 years and married an Italian. She didn’t want to give up Rome, and I said: ‘I don’t mind that,'” he said during 2019. Living with Kelly and Ryan interview.

Because of his acting career, Dafoe only spends a few months a year in Italy, but he is always happy to return.

“I came back one day [in Rome] I’m in heaven too,” said the actor More magazine in 2022. “There’s a sense of beauty and transience and history that I love. I really like the people.”

Dafoe continued: “I don’t want to sound like a rube — that’s a broad statement — but they’re compassionate. Americans like winners. Italians look at losers differently. In puritanical societies, which probably includes where you’re from and where I’m from , that is, ‘If they fall, hold them down, for they are to blame.’ ”

She’s in a band

Giada Colagrande and Willem Dafoe at the 10th Annual Filmmakers Dinner.

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Colagrande took her creative talents to the music scene, forming a band called The Magic Door.

“In October 2016, Arthuan [Rebis, Colagrande’s bandmate] and Giada decide to make an album inspired by Roman Magic Gate (also called Alchemical Portal),” the website reads. “They [wrote] and compose seven poems, each about one of the seven epigraphs carved on the door, an introduction and an epilogue.”

What started as a two-piece band now has four members. They performed at a series of concerts throughout Italy.

She attended Dafoe’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony

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In January 2024, Dafoe was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was joined at the special event by Colagrande and several of his famous friends, including Patricia Arquette, Pedro Pascal and Mark Ruffalo.

“Thanks to my wife, Giada Colagrande, who teaches me gratitude and reminds me not to spit on my happiness,” the actor said during his acceptance speech.

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Source: HIS Education