Trivia

Cites Gene Hackman as a major idol and influence on his work, especially after working with him in Target (1985).

Won the role of Michael Richard "Dicky" Reynolds as an adolescent in The Blue Lagoon (1980) after hundreds of boys were auditioned but turned the role down because of the nudity.

Original choice for "Butch Coolidge" in Pulp Fiction (1994), later portrayed by Bruce Willis.

Is a big fan of Cuban music.

Quit smoking cigarettes in 1996.

Is a runner, and regularly runs through Central Park in New York, where he lives. Usually he is not recognized.

Played a lead role in three of author S.E. Hinton's books made into movies consecutively: Tex (1982), The Outsiders (1983) and Rumble Fish (1983).

Was in a relationship with Cameron Diaz (January 1996-December 1998).

He traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo to work with Amani Global Works, which aims to provide better health care to the most impoverished, forgotten areas of Africa. (2012)

He is of almost entirely Irish descent, with a small amount of German and Scottish, ancestry.

He is the second child of six. His brothers and sisters are: Paul (born 1962), Kevin (born 1965), Katy (born 1966), Timothy (born 1969) and Brian (born 1972).

Has a large vinyl record collection.

His grandmother, Bea Dillon, is the sister of two famous artists: Alex Raymond and Jim Raymond. Alex Raymond was the creator of the cartoon strip, Flash Gordon; and also Jungle Jim and Rip Kirby. Jim Raymond drew Blondie for Chic Young for about 40 years.

Enjoys frequenting flea markets.

Has been good friends with Fisher Stevens since filming The Flamingo Kid (1984) together.

Brother of Kevin Dillon and Paul Dillon.

"Matt Dillon" is also the fictional name of the hero of Gunsmoke (1955), television's longest-running ever western series (20 years from 1955 to 1975). The hero, a U.S. Marshal for Dodge City, was played by James Arness.

Is a New York Mets baseball fan and collects Mookie Wilson baseball cards.

Has traveled extensively in Southeast Asia.

Original choice for the Frank Sangster role in Novocaine (2001), played by Steve Martin.

Attended the The 3rd Annual amfAR Cinema Against AIDS in Dubai, UAE. (December 2009)

Mentioned in the Roger Daltrey song "After The Fire." The lyrics are as follows: [I saw Matt Dillon in Black & White, There ain't no color in memories. He rode his brother's Harley across the TV, While I was laughing at Dom DeLuise.].

His parents are Mary Ellen and Paul Dillon

Attended the She Hate Me special screening and dinner party in Rome, Italy on Oct. 10th. (October 2004)

Attended the The Irish Film & Television Awards in Dublin, Ireland. (February 2010)

Spent New Year 2005 in Brazil.

Attended the San Sebastian Film Festival 2006 in Spain. (September 2006)

Uncle of Kevin Dillon's daughters Amy Dillon and Ava Dillon.

Attended the 10th Annual Marrakech Film Festival in Marrakech, Morocco. (January 2010)

Attended the 2005 Cannes Film Festival in France. (May 2005)

Attended the Ischia Global Film & Music Fest 2008 in Italy. (July 2008)

Attended the Cannes Film Festival in France. (May 1998)

Attended the Deauville Film Festival 2002 in France to promote City of Ghosts. (September 2002)

Attended The Orange British Academy Film Awards 2006 in London, England. (February 2006)

Attended The Orange British Academy Film Awards 2010 in London, England. (February 2010)