Celebrity Info
For D W Moffett, acting wasn’t exactly the path he initially envisioned after college. Sure, he started out working in agribusiness and hotel banking in Chicago, but over time, that world began to lose its appeal. It was during that period of transition that D W Moffett found himself drawn toward the stage—not as a grand plan, but more like a calling he couldn’t ignore. The tall, dark-haired performer with an easy charm started taking evening acting classes at David Mamet’s St. Nicholas Theatre, and well, things moved quickly from there.
Within just six months, D W Moffett made a bold decision: he left behind his corporate career, fully committed to theater, and joined the St. Nicholas ensemble. Not long after, he became one of the founding members of the acclaimed Remains Theatre Company—a move that would shape much of his early artistic journey. D W Moffett spent several years acting in and directing productions with the company, building a reputation for depth and versatility on stage.
A turning point came in 1983 when fellow Chicago actor-director John Malkovich cast D W Moffett in a revival of Lanford Wilson’s Balm in Gilead. The production eventually moved off-Broadway in New York City, marking a significant step forward. Soon after, D W Moffett made his Broadway debut, stepping into a small but notable role in Tom Stoppard’s award-winning play The Real Thing (1984), replacing Peter Gallagher.
The following year, D W Moffett took on a powerful, emotionally charged role as Felix, a gay reporter for The New York Times who tragically succumbs to AIDS-related complications in Larry Kramer’s groundbreaking drama The Normal Heart. That same season, he also appeared in the Broadway production of The Boys of Winter, sharing the stage with Matt Dillon, Wesley Snipes, and Andrew McCarthy—further solidifying D W Moffett’s presence in the theater world.
His stage work continued with roles such as in Established Price at the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven (1989–90), and a return to Chicago’s Remains Theatre in 1993 for David Marshall Grant’s Snakebit. But while theater remained close to his heart, D W Moffett increasingly found opportunities beyond the stage.
He made his small-screen debut in the landmark 1985 NBC TV movie An Early Frost, one of the first major productions to address the AIDS crisis, playing the lover of Aidan Quinn’s character—a role that brought him early recognition. In 1987, D W Moffett landed his first series, The Oldest Rookie on CBS, where he played Tony Jonas, the detective partner of Paul Sorvino’s titular character. Then in 1991, he took the lead in Palace Guard (also CBS), portraying a master thief turned hotel security chief—a short-lived but memorable role.
D W Moffett stayed active in television movies too, appearing in adaptations like Danielle Steel’s ‘Fine Things’ (NBC, 1990) and Counterfeit Contessa (Fox, 1994), opposite Tea Leoni. By 1998, he had begun a multi-season run as a co-star in the sitcom For Your Love, which centered around three interconnected couples in the same neighborhood—showcasing a different, lighter side of D W Moffett’s range.
On the film front, D W Moffett made his feature debut in The Misfit Brigade (1986), a twist on The Dirty Dozen, where he played one of several German prisoners conscripted by the Nazis. He followed that with a role opposite Debra Winger in Black Widow (1987), then delivered a chilling performance as a seductive, murderous stalker in the thriller Lisa (1990). Supporting turns in Pacific Heights (also 1990) and Falling Down (1993) kept him in the public eye.
One of his more nuanced performances came in Bernardo Bertolucci’s Stealing Beauty (1996), where D W Moffett portrayed a man estranged from his wife who becomes romantically involved with Liv Tyler’s character—adding emotional complexity to the film’s lush atmosphere.
In 2000, D W Moffett had a brief but impactful appearance in Steven Soderbergh’s Traffic, playing an advisor to the newly appointed drug czar, a role brought to life by Michael Douglas. Throughout his career, D W Moffett has balanced intensity with subtlety, moving seamlessly between stage, television, and film—always bringing a quiet strength to every character he inhabits.
When it comes to D.W. Moffett’s filmography, one standout in terms of critical acclaim is Traffic (2000), which remains his highest rated movie to date. Over the years, fans and critics alike have praised D.W. Moffett’s performance in that film, solidifying its place as a highlight in his career. On the other end of the spectrum, Alarum (2025) currently holds the position of D.W. Moffett’s lowest rated film. While every actor has their ups and downs, D.W. Moffett continues to be recognized for his contributions to cinema, with Traffic serving as a benchmark of his success. It’s interesting to see how D.W. Moffett’s roles have evolved, from the powerful presence in Traffic to the more recent challenges presented in Alarum. Still, D.W. Moffett maintains a respected place in the industry despite the varying reception of his projects.
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