Kevin Dillon was born on August 19, 1965, in Mamaroneck, New York. After appearing in the 1983 television movie No Big Deal, Kevin gained attention for his role in Platoon, the Oscar winning Vietnam drama directed by Oliver Stone and starring Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, and Forest Whitaker. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Dillon continued to add to his list of television and film appearances. He worked with Meg Ryan, Val Kilmer, and Kathleen Quinlan in The Doors, a flick focusing on the famous band and their legendary lead singer Jim Morrison. He also starred in Criminal Hearts, with Amy Locane and Morgan Fairchild; True Crime, with Alicia Silverstone and Bill Nunn; and Misbegotten, with Nick Mancuso and Mark Holden.
With the exception of a few roles, most of the films in which Dillon appeared were box office flops, leading Kevin to focus mainly on television. He had guest appearances on NYPD Blue and 24, starring Kiefer Sutherland. The short-lived series That’s Life, with Heather Paige Kent and Ellen Burstyn, featured Dillon as one of its regular cast members.
In 2004, two decades after he made his first on-screen appearance, Kevin won his signature role on the HBO series Entourage. Now in its fourth season, the series has already been nominated for six Golden Globe Awards and eight Emmys. Also starring Kevin Connolly, Adrian Grenier, Jerry Ferrara, and Jeremy Piven, the show follows the life of a rising star (Vincent) and his friends. Dillon’s character, Johnny, is actually Vincent’s half brother. Johnny is a struggling actor trying to deal with constantly being overshadowed by the success of Vincent. The show’s unique blend of humor and thought-provoking subject matter has earned it both critical acclaim and a significant and loyal fan base.
Kevin’s recent success on the HBO series also landed him a role in Poseidon, with big name actors Kurt Russell, Richard Dreyfuss, and Josh Lucas. Dillon is set to star in the upcoming film The Foursome, alongside Ellie Harvie and Nicole Oliver.
The younger Dillon’s recent success on-screen has also seen the actor getting pretty lucky off screen as well. He married Jane Stuart, a model and actress, on April 22, 2006. Entourage cast member Jerry Ferrara was Dillon’s best man, while Kevin Connolly escorted the bride down the aisle. A month later, their daughter Ava was born in New York. Dillon’s professional and personal success after so many years of struggle shows that perseverance really does pay off.
YUDDY
