ACTOR · BORN 1959
Vincent D'Onofrio
- Born
- 30 June 1959
- Known for
- Full Metal Jacket (1987), Dumb Money (2023), Kill the Irishman (2011), CHIPS (2017)
29 archived facts 5 topics 1 source Last reviewed Nov 2026
Vincent D'Onofrio (born 30 June 1959) is an actor best known for Full Metal Jacket, Dumb Money and Kill the Irishman.
29 Interesting Facts About Vincent D'Onofrio
Interesting Facts (5)
- #001
During the filming of Full Metal Jacket (1987), Stanley Kubrick told D'Onofrio, "I want you to be big — Lon Chaney big."
- #002
Although D'Onofrio played his character's enemy in Full Metal Jacket (1987), in real life he was greatly respected by the late R. Lee Ermey, who played Sergeant Hartman. Ermey said D'Onofrio's performance as Private Leonard "Gomer Pyle" Lawrence was the best performance in the entire film.
- #003
Unhappy with his Orson Welles impression, director Tim Burton had D'Onofrio's voice dubbed in Ed Wood (1994). The near-perfect Orson Welles imitation was provided by voice actor Maurice LaMarche.
- #004
Vincent D'Onofrio portrayed Orson Welles in two different, unrelated productions: Ed Wood (1994) and Five Minutes, Mr. Welles (2005).
- #005
Coincidentally, while playing Robert Goren, a character based on Sherlock Holmes, in the series Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001), Vincent D'Onofrio portrayed Moriarty in the TV film Sherlock (2002).
Behind the Scenes (16)
- #006
He gained 70 pounds (30 kilos) for his role in Full Metal Jacket (1987), a world record.
- #007
During the shooting of Full Metal Jacket (1987), Stanley Kubrick told D'Onofrio, "I want you to be big - Lon Chaney big."
- #008
He is one of the founders of the River Run Film Festival (Winston-Salem, North Carolina), along with his sister Elizabeth D'Onofrio and their father Gene D'Onofrio.
- #009
Although he played his character's adversary in Full Metal Jacket (1987), D'Onofrio was held in great respect in real life by the late R. Lee Ermey, who played Sergeant Hartman. Ermey said D'Onofrio's performance as Private Leonard "Gomer Pyle" Lawrence was the best performance in the entire film.
- #010
He gained 45 pounds (20 kilos) for his role in The Salton Sea (2002).
- #011
Dissatisfied with his Orson Welles impression, director Tim Burton had D'Onofrio's voice dubbed in Ed Wood (1994). The near-perfect Orson Welles imitation was provided by voice actor Maurice LaMarche.
- #012
He is Sean Penn's former father-in-law.
- #013
He played the character "Bill Newman" in both JFK (1991) and Malcolm X (1992).
- #014
He is one of the few actors to have worked with both Stanley Kubrick and Robert Altman - along with Matthew Modine, Sydney Pollack and Malcolm McDowell.
- #015
He lives in New York to be with his family and for the shooting of Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001).
- #016
He portrayed Orson Welles in two different, unrelated productions: Ed Wood (1994) and Five Minutes, Mr. Welles (2005).
- #017
He dyed his hair blond for his role in Adventures in Babysitting (1987).
- #018
Coincidentally, while playing the Sherlock Holmes-based character Robert Goren in Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001), he portrayed Moriarty in the TV film Sherlock (2002).
- #019
He was considered for the role of Knuckles in Suburban Commando (1991).
- #020
He is the uncle of Hawk D'Onofrio. Hawk is the son of Vincent's older sister Elizabeth D'Onofrio.
- #021
He was the first choice for the role of Martin Brundle in The Fly II (1989) and was nearly cast, but the screen tests did not go well. He was born the year Return of the Fly (1959) was released and shares his first name with Vincent Price, who appeared in The Fly (1958).
Characters & Cast (5)
- #022
Vincent D'Onofrio gained 70 pounds (30 kilograms) for his role in Full Metal Jacket (1987), a world record.
- #023
Vincent D'Onofrio gained 45 pounds (20 kilograms) for his role in The Salton Sea (2002).
- #024
Vincent D'Onofrio dyed his hair blonde for his role in the 1987 film Adventures in Babysitting.
- #025
Vincent D'Onofrio was considered for the role of Knuckles in the 1991 film Suburban Commando.
- #026
Vincent D'Onofrio was the first choice for the role of Martin Brundle in The Fly II (1989) and was nearly cast, but his screen tests did not go well. He was born in the year Return of the Fly (1959) was released and shares his first name with Vincent Price, who appeared in The Fly (1958).
Career & Awards (1)
- #027
When Renée Zellweger won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Cold Mountain (2003), she thanked him in her Oscar speech.
Life & Family (2)
- #028
Vincent D'Onofrio is one of the founders of the River Run Film Festival (Winston-Salem, North Carolina), along with his sister Elizabeth D'Onofrio and their father Gene D'Onofrio.
- #029
His daughter is Leila George, born March 20, 1992. Her mother is actress Greta Scacchi.
Related pages
- Men in Black — Vincent D'Onofrio comes up in the facts on that page
- Matthew Broderick — Vincent D'Onofrio comes up in the facts on that page
- Joker — Vincent D'Onofrio comes up in the facts on that page
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Sources & editorial notes
Reference databases
- Wikipedia
- IMDb
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